Iconic Vietnamese Landmark Faces “Death Sentence” as Website Removes Name and Agents Stop Accepting Deposits

On the official website of Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam, the Mitsubishi Outlander, a mid-size SUV, is no longer listed in the product catalog. The Japanese automaker has not issued any official statement regarding this move. However, dealership staff confirm that the Outlander has stopped accepting deposits for several months, with inventory nearly depleted and no plans for replenishment.

Data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association reveals a sharp decline in Outlander sales. Specifically, the SUV recorded no sales in September and October 2025. In August, only 35 units were sold.

In the first 10 months of 2025, total Outlander sales reached just 362 units—the lowest in the mid-size SUV segment and one of the two poorest-selling Mitsubishi models in Vietnam, second only to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Industry insiders attribute the sales slump primarily to the Outlander’s perceived disconnect with market trends and competitors. While rivals continuously launch upgrades, add technology, and adjust pricing, the Outlander has maintained its older version for an extended period.

The current Vietnamese model remains in its third generation, lacking significant updates in design, safety features, and amenities—factors increasingly prioritized by consumers.

Its outdated design and absence of modern features have diminished the Mitsubishi Outlander’s appeal among Vietnamese buyers, especially as consumers increasingly value advanced technology.

In Vietnam, the Outlander was once highly favored for its durability, stable performance, and versatile 5+2 seating configuration. It offers three variants, all sharing a 2.0L engine producing 145 horsepower and 196 Nm of torque. Paired with a CVT INVECS II transmission featuring sport mode and paddle shifters, it delivers front-wheel drive.

Notable features include LED lighting, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, rear sensors, an 8-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, leather seats with electric adjustments, and more.

If officially discontinued, the Outlander will join other Japanese models exiting the Vietnamese market in 2025, including the Mazda6, Toyota Innova, and Honda Civic Type R. In 2024, several others were discontinued due to underwhelming sales, such as the Mazda BT-50, Suzuki Ciaz, Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Kicks.

Mitsubishi is unlikely to abandon the mid-size SUV segment. Dealerships indicate the brand is preparing to launch the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator, positioned as the Outlander’s successor. Imported from Indonesia and inspired by the DST Concept, the Destinator will offer a 7-seat configuration with an expected starting price of around 750 million VND, lower than the Outlander’s 825–950 million VND range.

Initial details suggest at least two variants, with the premium version featuring an advanced ADAS safety package. The Indonesian model boasts upgrades like an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment screen, and a panoramic sunroof. Designed with modern aesthetics and enhanced safety features, the Destinator targets family buyers—the same demographic the Outlander aimed for.

If the starting price remains around 750 million VND with a 7-seat layout, the Destinator could gain a competitive edge in a segment where only the Honda CR-V offers a 7-seat option, starting above 1 billion VND.