Mitsubishi XForce is present in Indonesia in two variants which are both equipped with a CVT automatic transmission. The two are the Mitsubishi XForce Ultimate CVT at a price of IDR419,1 million and the Mitsubishi XForce Exceed CVT at a price of IDR382,5 million.
This is slightly different from its closest competitor, the Hyundai Creta, which has a manual transmission option, namely the Hyundai Creta Active. The manual transmission option makes the Hyunda Creta Active a very affordable price of IDR 291.3 million.
The strongest competitor, the Honda HR-V, is the same condition as the Mitsubishi XForce. Both the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi XForce don’t have a variant with a manual transmission.
Tetsuhiro Tsuchida, Director of Sales and Marketing Division of PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia (MMKSI), last Thursday (24/8/2023) said that based on research they conducted, medium SUV car consumers prefer automatic transmission over manual.
“I see in the Indonesian market, the SUV segment like this is needed in big cities, more who want an automatic transmission or CVT,” he explained.
From there Mitsubishi finally decided not to make the Mitsubishi XForce. Even though the potential to present a variant with a manual transmission opens up opportunities for a more affordable price.
Tetsuhiro Tsuchida further said that the Mitsubishi XForce is a global car that will be exported to various countries in the world. Currently, foreign markets need more cars with automatic transmissions.
So like it or not, as Mitsubishi XForce manufacturers, they have to adapt to those needs.
“This is a global model, so the choice must be adjusted to what is needed by the global market. Most of the needs are automatic transmission or CVT,” he explained.
Previously, Mitsubishi had also received a very high response when it first launched the Mitsubishi XForce at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2023 (GIIAS) on 10-20 August 2023. At that event, Mitsubishi recorded orders for 3.700 units, of which 1,100 units were ordered for the Mitsubishi XForce.
