Mitsubishi's Asia car

Mitsubishi's Asia car

TOKYO (Nikkei): Mitsubishi Motors Corp has decided to launch its multipurpose Asia car in Indonesia next January, company sources said Thursday, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The automaker originally planned to begin marketing the new multipurpose vehicle model in September this year, but the plans were delayed by the economic and political turmoil that hit the country.

The automaker is confident this has now subsided following the establishment of the new government led by B.J. Habibie.

The vehicle will have a 2500cc engine and can be used both as a passenger car and commercial vehicle.

This will be the company's third model in its so-called Asia car line developed to meet particular niches in the market.

With the launch of the Asia car, the car maker will try to catch up with Toyota, which has a market share of around 20% in the country.