Daewoo And Mitsubishi Cars In India That Nobody Remembers: Cielo To Outlander

by Mohammed Burman | 01/08/2019
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In this article, we have compiled three Daewoo and three Mitsubishi cars which have been almost ignored in the Indian auto market. Read on to discover.

The Indian auto market is currently the fourth largest one in the world, which attracts many foreign auto manufacturers to this competitive but potential market. While several of them have recorded great achievements, some of them could not get a decent market share in the automotive industry. Daewoo and Mitsubishi belong to the latter group. This article is going to provide you with a list of three Daewoo and three Mitsubishi vehicles which have been almost forgotten in India.

Also read10 Tata Vehicles Which Have Been Forgotten In India

Forgotten Daewoo Cars

Daewoo Matiz

Daewoo launched the Matiz in the Indian auto market with a view to making it become a formidable competitor against the Hyundai Santro and the Maruti 800. Nevertheless, in the 1990s, the Indian auto buyers seem to prefer established cars which have attained certain respect and prestige in India. Therefore, the Matiz was soon ignored in spite of its cute appearance.

Under the hood of the Daewoo Matiz is a 0.8-litre 3-cyl gasoline motor which can produce 52 BHP against 71 Nm. This engine, which was mated to a 5-speed MT unit, was the most modern motor in the segment at that time.

daewoo matiz silver side profile angle

The fierce competition from other cars in the same segment made the Daewoo Matiz a failiure.

Daewoo Cielo

Being a sedan from the South Korean auto manufacturer for the Indian auto market, the Daewoo Cielo kept under its hood a 1.5-litre 4-cyl CNG motor which can deliver a maximum power of 80 BHP against a peak torque of 128 Nm.

The Cielo was the first-ever car in India to be mass-produced with fuel injection. It was also the first vehicle in India to receive its power via a 3-speed automatic gearbox. Nevertheless, for some unknown reason, this vehicle gradually lost in its popularity in the country and was soon forgotten.

daewoo cielo white front angle

The Daewoo Cielio is the first-ever mass-produced car in India to come with a fuel injection.

Daewoo Nexia

Being a more powerful version of the Daewoo Cielo, the Nexia gets its power from a 1.6-litre gasoline burner which can generate a maximum power/torque of 90 BHP. Despite its cool appearance, it left India when the South Korean automaker left the country and soon gone forgotten by the Indian auto buyers.

daewoo nexia red side profile angle

When Daewoo exitted the Indian auto market, it also marks the end of the Cielo in the country.

Forgotten Mitsubishi cars

Mitsubishi Lancer

The Mitsubishi Lancer is the most well-known name in the Japanese auto maker’s portfolio in India where it has attained a good sales number. Unfortunately, due to the weak dealer and aftersales network, the Mitsubishi Lancer’s popularity with the Indian auto buyers has decreased to a considerable extent.

The Mitsubishi Lancer received its power from a 1.5-litre petrol motor with a maximum power of 87 BHP against 123 Nm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

2017 mitsibishi lancer red front angle

Due to the bad service, the Mitsubishi lost in its popularity with the Indian auto customers.

Mitsubishi Cedia

Being a more premium substitute for the Lancer in the Indian auto market, the Mitsubishi Cedia offered a wide array of safety features like two airbags and ABS which were provided as standard ones. It was one of the sportiest D-segment sedans in India and competed against other vehicles in the same segment such as the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

The Cedia kept under its hood a 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol motor which was good for 115 BHP against 175 Nm, which helped it have a really impressive performance at this time. However, the bad fuel mileage is the most compelling reason for its bad sales number in India.

mitsubishi cedia yellow front angle

The bad fuel mileage is the deciding factor to the failure of the Mitsubishi Cedia in the Indian auto market. 

Mitsubishi Outlander

Being a big and bold 7-seat SUV which started to go on sale in the Indian auto market in the late 2000s, the Mitsubishi Outlander has proper SUV nature and the Evo X-sourced nose took the whole SUV enthusiasts by storm. Nevertheless, the unusual appearance of the Outlander does not suit most of the Indian auto customers’ taste, which gradually resulted in the decreasing popularity of the vehicle in the country.

The SUV received its power from 2.4-litre Mivec gasoline burner which can generate a maximum power of 165 BHP against a peak torque of 222 Nm. The transmission duties are undertaken by a 6-speed CVT unit. After a long absence, the Japanese carmaker has brought back a new model with the same nameplate to the Indian auto market which, however, bears little difference to the original model.

Mitsibishi Outlander red front angle

The unusual appearance of the Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the reason for its low sales number in India.

Above is a list of six forgotten Daewoo and Mitsubishi cars in the Indian auto market. Which car do you find most regretful? Share with us in the comment section below.

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