Mitsubishi Triton 2013 News

Used cars for exotic-option prices.

Buying a used car is difficult enough in normal times.

Volkswagen issues recall for potentially explosive airbag, while Mitsubishi rectifies defective side-steps.

Cars are either being built worse -- or companies are getting better at detecting faults.a range of models made over the last 10 years replacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia. a second, airbag-related recall for the Priusreplacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia

The Corolla was finally crowned Australia's favourite car in 2013 after 46 years in the market -- but you won't hear about it from Toyota. The car giant, which has been the overall market leader for 11 years in a row and 17 years since 1991 but never had the top-selling vehicle, is going to follow Mazda's lead by not advertising the Corolla's sales success."There are no plans at this stage," said Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, when asked if the company would advertise the Corolla's historic win.Mazda also gave us the silent treatment when its Mazda3 small car took top sales honours in 2011 and 2012. It is suspected Mazda didn't want to boast that it ended the iconic Holden Commodore's record 15-year winning streak.But it turns out both Toyota and Mazda are wary of their success. Insiders from both companies admit popularity can work against them if they cars are seen as being everywhere. "People want to be seen to be driving something different, not be part of the pack," said one insider.Mazda was also keen to distance itself from the Corolla, which has a reputation for blandness because older models were better known for their reliability than their current styling pizazz.However, it may come as a shock to many Mazda buyers but more Mazda3 small cars were sold in Australia in the past three years than the Corolla. Figures from the car makers show that only 40 per cent of Corollas are bought by private buyers, compared to more than 80 per cent of Mazda3s.Toyota is only the fourth brand in 60 years to win the Australian new-car sales race; the others being Mazda, Holden and Ford. It was the third year in a row Japanese cars have led the Australian car market; locally-made models have been the top sellers since WWI, say automotive historians.The Corolla is the world's biggest selling car, with more than 40 million on the road worldwide, including more than 1.25 million delivered in Australia since 1967.The Corolla was built in Australia from 1968 to 1999, becoming the first Toyota ever assembled outside Japan, but production ended because it became too costly to build small cars locally. The model is now made in 15 factories in 14 countries including Japan, Canada, South America, Turkey, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Taiwan, India, and two factories in China.The Corolla won the 2013 new-car sales race after swapping the monthly sales lead three times with reigning champion the Mazda3 – the Mazda led the first three months of the year before the Corolla landed its first win for 2013 in April, and then led the year-to-date tally for the first time in June. In the end, the Corolla was the top selling car for eight months of the year, including the last four in a row.Incredibly, it was only the Corolla's fifth-best result (record was 47,792 set in 2007), another sign of the fragmenting market that is killing local car manufacturing. The Corolla earned top-seller status despite selling less than half the Holden Commodore's annual peak.Korean car maker Hyundai ranked fourth overall but was the second-biggest seller of passenger cars in Australia in 2013. Mercedes-Benz won the luxury car sales category, outselling BMW and Audi. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was the third best-selling medium-size sedan behind the Toyota Camry and Mazda6.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowlingTop 10 cars 2013Toyota Corolla 43,498 up 12.1 per centMazda3 42,082 down 4.6 per centToyota HiLux 39,931 down 1.7 per centHyundai i30 30,582 up 7.9 per centHolden Commodore 27,766 down 9.1 per centToyota Camry 24,860 down 8.7 per centMitsubishi Triton 24,512 up 32.4 per centHolden Cruze 24,421 down 16.3 per centNissan Navara 24,108 down 7.4 per centFord Ranger 21,752 down 7.2 per centTop 10 brands 2013Toyota 214,630 down 1.6 per centHolden 112,059 down 2.3 per centMazda 103,144 down 0.7 per centHyundai 97,006 up 6.0 per centFord 87,236 down 3.5 per centNissan 76,733 down 3.8 per centMitsubishi 71,528 up 21.5 per centVolkswagen 54,892 stable 0.0 per centSubaru 40,200 stable 0.0 per centHonda 39,258 up 9.6 per centFalcon and Commodore hit new all-time lows in 2013Ford Falcon: 10,610 (compared to a peak of 81,000 in 1995)Holden Commodore: 27,766 (compared to a peak of 94,500 in 1998)A decade of record sales2004: 955,2292005: 988,2692006: 962,6662007: 1,049,9822008: 1,012,1642009: 937,3282010: 1,035,5742011: 1,008,4372012: 1,112,0322013: 1,136,227Locally made cars: then and now1999: 223,083 (including 184,000 Commodores and Falcons)2013: 118,510 (down 15 per cent on 2012, and the lowest since 1958) 

A new Mitsubishi Triton is on the way to replace the current model which was launched in 2006 and is nearing the end of its life.

The safety recall is to fix a fault that could see the powered seats' reclining lever stick in the operating position after use, allowing current to continue to flow to the seat motor. Mitsubishi says there is a risk the motor, seat cushion and surrounding parts could melt or burn."There have been two incidents recorded in Australia, with no injuries," Mitsubishi spokesperson Shayna Welsh says."There are 3,647 vehicles affected in Australia.  Customers need to take their vehicle to a dealership to be inspected, which should take around 20 mins, however, if the seat adjuster assembly needs to be replaced, this action will take up to two and a half hours."The recalled vehicles are the 2007-2013 Triton 4WD Double Cab and 2010-2013 Challenger 4WD models fitted with power front driver's and/or passenger's seat.Mitsubishi says that as a precaution until the owners have their vehicles inspected, they should make sure the reclining lever always returns to the central position after they have used it -- and whenever they leave the vehicle.All owners of affected vehicles have been contacted by mail sent to their last known address, and are asked to contact their nearest Mitsubishi service dealer to have their vehicle inspected and the seat assembly replaced if needed.Owners who believe their vehicle is in the affected range and who have not received a letter by today, September 27 -- or seek more information -- should call Mitsubishi on 1300 13 12 11 and select option 4, then select option 2.

Mitsubishi's streamlined 2013 Triton line-up provides a value-packed range with a model to suit nearly every customer's needs.With the addition of side and curtain airbags to the Triton double cab range, all double cab Tritons feature six airbags as standard while the GLX 4x2 double cab has an upgraded engine to the 2.5L Hi-Power diesel unit.The manual seats in single and double cabs have been updated across the range offering extended travel and front leg room.The Triton Single Cab range features three models, the GL 4x2, the GLX 4x2 and the GLX 4x4. The entry-model Triton GL 4x2 is powered by a 2.4-litre, four cylinder petrol 16-valve engine coupled with five-speed manual transmission.The interior of the GL has been updated for 2013 with new manual front seats in updated fabric and silver accents on the instrument cluster to brighten the cabin. The GL is perfect for customers who need a hardworking vehicle without four-wheel drive capabilities.