It was supposed to be on display at the Manila International Auto Show on April 2023, but it couldn’t make it in time.

We’re talking about the Mitsubishi XFC Concept, which will be showcased at The Grove in Newport Mall in Pasay City from June 16 to 18, 2023.

The XFC Concept was first premiered in Vietnam on October 2022. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation president and CEO Takao Kato said the production version of this crossover would be on sale in ASEAN markets as early as April 2023.

"In the future, we plan to add an electrified variant to the lineup and to also roll it out in regions outside ASEAN," Kato said. "We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the ASEAN market to a global strategic vehicle, making it a core model like the sales-leading Xpander crossover MPV."

The production model is expected to take on the likes of the Kia Stonic and the Toyota Raize.

Dramatic styling

The XFC Concept continues Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" concept with the familiar trapezoidal grill that leads down to the dogbone-style lower fascia. 

The liberal use of hexagons is apparent in the grill inserts and the holes near the bottom of the bumper.

The large, turbine-style, five-spoke alloy wheels complement the rest of the XFC Concept's side profile. Aside from small fender flares, the high beltline is emphasized by the small windows and the large character line that makes the rear fenders pop out.

The drama goes on out back, with the T-shaped taillights mimicking the design of the front lights. Meanwhile, the tailgate spoiler and the character line on the tailgate add character to what would normally be a dull, flat panel.

Splashes of yellow

Step inside the XFC Concept and you find a cabin dominated by whites and silvers. 

This, along with the teardrop-shaped moonroof, gives the car a very light and airy feel. The dashboard has a neatly integrated digital display for the infotainment system and the gauge cluster. 

Meanwhile, the center console includes what appears to be a gear selector, displayed like a piece of sculpture on its own mantlepiece. The air-conditioning vents on the sides extend into the doors, which have hexagonal inserts.

The seats also stand out for having mustard-yellow upholstery on the headrest and the upper backrest.

The XFC Concept also comes with generous ground clearance and four driving models: Normal, Gravel, Mud and Wet. 

Mitsubishi Motors said the Wet Mode, which was introduced for the first time in the XFC Concept, was designed for ASEAN countries to enable safe driving on roads flooded by rain showers.

Made in the Philippines?

The production version of the XFC Concept is also a potential addition to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation’s (MMPC) production line at its Santa Rosa, Laguna plant.

The Department of Trade and Industry said on February 2022 that MMPC may put up a new line depending on incentives under the government’s ₱27-billion Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program.

The scheme aims to revitalize the local car industry by providing ₱9 billion in government subsidies to each qualified manufacturer over six years. 

Each carmaker must produce at least 200,000 units each in that period, with the majority of parts also produced locally, all for domestic sale.

MMPC, which is the country’s second-largest local car manufacturer in terms of sales, builds the Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan at its Sta. Rosa plant under the scheme.

Toyota Motor Philippines is also part of the program with the popular Toyota Vios subcompact sedan.

The Private Sector Advisory Council announced on May 2023 that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has agreed to extend the CARS Program for another five years.

This is because of production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, along with reduced demand for cars because of higher excise taxes under the government’s tax-reform law.

Are you looking forward to seeing the Mitsubishi XFC Concept?

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