Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. Tonsley Park Closure (2008)

Channel 9 Adelaide news report on the closure of the Mitsubishi Motors Australia Tonsley Park manufacturing plant in February 2008. Imported from VHS Cassette. Founded in 1964 by Chrysler Australia Ltd, Tonsley Park was best known for producing such cars as the Valiant, Galant and Sigma before being sold to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 1980, along with the Lonsdale Engine Manufacturing Complex, to form Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. Over the next 28 years Mitsubishi would produce the Mitsubishi Colt, Sigma, Magna, Verada and 380 on the Tonsley Park assembly lines. After a nervous wait that lasted for several years, Mitsubishi Motors Australia announced the imminent closure of the Tonsley Park Assembly Plant on February 5th 2008. Tonsley Park was officially shut down at the end of operations on March 31st 2008, ceasing production of the Mitsubishi 380 sedan and ending 44 years of vehicle manufacturing at Tonsley Park. The plants at both Lonsdale and Tonsley Park, along with the cars they produced, are credited with a number of major contributions to the Australian automotive industry including, but not limited to: - First Wide-Body Medium/Large Sedan - First Australian-made car with an Independent (Multi-Link) Rear Suspension System - First Australian-made car for export to the USA - First Australian-made car to feature ABS with EBD - First Australian-made car to feature a Tiptronic 4-speed Transmission - First Australian-made car to feature a 5-speed Automatic Transmission - First Australian-made All-Wheel-Drive car Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. continues to operate solely as an importer of vehicles and continues to provide service and support for all Mitsubishi cars through its nationwide dealer network. As of October 2010, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd continues to operate its corporate head offices and spare parts centres from the South Road, Tonsley Park site.