Mitsubishi targets foreign police forces for its high-performance cars

Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors Corp. bolstered sales of a version of its Lancer Evolution X high-performance sports car that has been specially modified for foreign police organizations. The automaker delivered in December 2008 an Evolution X with police specifications to the South Yorkshire county police in England. The car joined a Lancer Evolution VIII and Lancer Evolution IX already in use by the county’s Road Crime Unit, which targets speeders and reckless drivers. The police version was modified to have 20% better power output and acceleration than the civilian model. By getting its vehicles adopted by police forces, Mitsubishi hopes that general customers will find its cars’ high performance appealing. (December 22, 2008)