An unexpected ending? The new Renault Clio wipes out the Mitsubishi Colt in Europe, the keys to the farewell
One of the stories of Renault and Mitsubishi has come to an end, something that was more than clear would eventually happen. The arrival of a new Clio has completely blown apart a part of the collaboration, with a clear victim being the Colt.
It was more than clear that it was going to happen. It is the consequence of the brands' strategy of rebranding models that, for a time, play on a certain level playing field but ultimately falls apart when the commercial life of one ends and a new generation is launched. We are clearly talking about the sixth edition of the Renault Clio, which is already being manufactured to reach dealerships in early 2026.
Until now, both the Renault utility vehicle and the three diamonds have competed, practically, on equal terms. The Mitsubishi Colt took on the design of the old Clio after the significant facelift it received, distinguishing itself only by a longer factory warranty compared to the French model. An important buying argument for customers, but everything has a beginning and an end.
Mitsubishi will not copy the design of the new Clio
The new generation of the Clio has blown apart this cooperation that, sooner or later, was bound to end, forcing the Japanese to make a move. Mitsubishi could continue to compete in the market with the current Colt but, to the surprise of many, has already communicated to Renault that it is not interested in that task, so the modern Colt is living its last gasps of life in the market.
Yes, according to a report from Dutch sources, the Mitsubishi Colt will not be on sale once 2026 is launched. A farewell that will be gradual, as it will slowly be leaving other European countries, getting rid of stock units in the coming months. Neither the European division of the manufacturer nor the importers in certain European countries have taken a few minutes to confirm or deny the information, with silence reigning regarding the Colt.
The three diamonds are focusing on SUVs, abandoning passenger cars
However, Frank Krol, the CEO of Mitsubishi in Europe, has referred to this, pointing out that the brand wants to focus on the segments in which it traditionally excels. Our customers appreciate more practical body styles, larger family cars, and especially SUVs, such as the ASX, the Grandis, the new Eclipse Cross, and the Outlander.
In a matter of months, Mitsubishi's catalog in the European continent will consist solely of SUVs and, as you can see, they do have the ASX. The recent renewal of the Captur has been transferred to its Japanese equivalent and the redesign planned for the French model will also be implemented by mid-2027 at the latest. It is clear that the idea of Mitsubishi flying solo is, for now, completely ruled out...
