Entry into the Small Car Market

1961

Launch of the Mitsubishi 360 (LT21S and LT20), a four-wheel, light van and the start of the Minica series.

Mitsubishi 360, 1961

Development of the 2000cc 4DQ diesel engine.

1962

Launch of the Colt 600, the first Mitsubishi to bear the Colt name.

Colt 600, 1962

Launch of the Minica.

Production of the R820 large high-speed turbocharger equipped bus and the R480 bus, the latter capable of traveling on both rail and road.

Introduction of the MR430 bus, the first twin-steering bus in Japan which also had the largest passenger capacity at the time.

Development of the 8DB20 (V8) pre-combustion chamber type diesel engine.

A new concept truck featuring a self loader cargo system produced.

Mitsubishi 500 takes class honors in Macau Grand Prix.

1963

Production of the Colt 1000.

Production of the MB720 small-sized bus.

Production of the T410 heavy-duty truck, the T720, first in the light-duty Canter truck series, and the Jupiter Jr. light-duty bonnet-type truck.

Canter, 1962

1964

The launch of the first generation Debonair, Mitsubishi's passenger car flagship in the Japanese domestic market.

Debonair, 1964

Production of the Jupiter T30 (diesel) and T31 (gasoline) trucks.

Production of the Fuso T620, the first generation of the current cab-over medium-duty truck series.

T620 truck, 1964

Production of the MR620, the first generation of the current mid-sized bus.

Development of the 6DS1 diesel engine.

1-2-3 finish for the Colt 1000 wins 2nd Japan Grand Prix and Colt 600 takes class honors in the Malaysia Grand Prix.

1965

Launch of Japan's first fastback, the Colt 800.

Production of the Colt 1500.

Production of the Jupiter T40 and T41 medium-duty cab-over trucks.

1966

Launch of the first generation Minicab.

Minicab, 1966

The Colt 1000F and the Colt 1100 go into production.

Production of the B12 Rosa, the second generation of the small-size Rosa bus line.

Production of the second generation of the current heavy-duty cab-over truck series.

Development of the 6DC2 (V6) and 8DC2 (V8) diesel engines.

Colt F3-A wins Japan Grand Prix Formula Car Race.

1967

Production of the Colt Pickup, a small half-ton, bonnet-type pickup truck.

Production of the T810 and T910 heavy-duty trucks.

Production of the B905 and B800 large-sized sight-seeing bus series.

Colt 1000F takes class win in Southern Cross Rally. Colt F2-A wins Japan GP Formula Car Race.

1968

Production of the Delica, a 600kg payload cab-over pickup.

Delica truck, 1968

Production of the new Colt 1200, 1100F and 1500.

Production of the T90, the second generation Canter series and the T800 heavy-duty bonnet-type truck.

Production of the B906R, a large-sized bus with a top speed of 140km/h, the fastest bus on the market.

Development of the 12DC (V12) engine.

Colt F2-B wins Formula Car Race and Speed Cup Race at the 5th Japan Grand Prix.
Colt 1000F Sports wins 3rd Southern Cross Rally.

1969

Launch of the first of the Galant series, the Colt Galant.

Colt Galant, 1969

Production of the Delica Van. Production of the second generation in the Minica series, the Minica 70.

Production of the T901 heavy-duty bonnet-type truck and the 150-ton lifting capacity K1300 crane carrier.

Development of the Saturn engine series (1400cc~1600cc).

Development of two pre combustion chamber type diesel engines, the 12DC20 (V12) and a turbocharged version of the 8DC20 (V8).

Colt F2-C wins JAF Grand Prix Formula Car Race. Colt 11FSS takes class honors in 4th Southern Cross Rally.

Concentrating Resources on the Automotive Business

1970

Production of the Colt Galant GTO.

Galant GTO, 1970

Launch of Mitsubishi's first hardtop, the Colt Galant 2-door Hardtop.

Galant 2-door Hardtop, 1970

Production of the Galant Station Wagon.

Production of the Fuso T650, the second generation in the medium-duty cab-over truck series.

Production of the T44 Jupiter medium-duty cab-over truck.

Production of the W122 heavy-duty trailer towing special-purpose truck and the D320 32-ton super heavy-duty off-highway dump truck.

Production of the second generation in the mid-sized bus series, the B620.

The 4DR5 and 6DR5 series engines go into production.

Development of the Saturn DOHC engine.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries establishes Mitsubishi Motors Corporation as a separate entity.

Colt F2D takes class honors in the '70 JAF Grand Prix. Colt 11FSS takes class honors in the Australian Pole Trial 10,000 Mile Rally. The Galant GS wins Japan Alpine Rally.

Mitsubishi dominated formula racing during the late 60s and early 70s