Enthusiast questions Mitsubishi about the future of classic models such as Galant and Lancer Evo at the assembly

A pertinent question marked the Mitsubishi Motors shareholders’ meeting, held on June 18, 2026. An investor, Hiroshi Nakajima, questioned the board about the possibility of reviving the brand’s iconic cars, such as the Galant and Lancer Evolution, instigating a debate about the legacy and future of the Japanese automaker.

During the 57th Annual General Meeting, the shareholder highlighted his interest in classic models. He also mentioned that his questions at the previous year’s meeting had already been the subject of an article in the specialized press, which reinforces the value and impact of his questions. The relevance of the issue led the Best Car editorial team to seek out Nakajima himself for a detailed interview.

The appeal of classics in the Mitsubishi portfolio

At the 2026 Mitsubishi Motors meeting, the Best Car reporting team noted the intervention of self-employed professional Hiroshi Nakajima, a resident of Saitama Prefecture, who also acts as an investor. Mr. Nakajima had already addressed the topic of the return of the brand’s traditional vehicles at the previous event, and his question generated an article published on the website.

He reiterated that this year, his concerns and desires remained the same.

The return of the new Pajero was received with enthusiasm, however, for Nakajima, Mitsubishi still holds a lot of untapped potential. He specifically cited the Galant, Diamante and Lancer Evolution, asking if one day these cars that shaped the brand’s identity could be relaunched.

Mr. Nakajima’s motivation in raising the issue at the assembly was not limited to mere nostalgia. As a shareholder and car enthusiast, he expressed a genuine hope that Mitsubishi Motors will regain its strength and distinction with a vehicle that truly represents the “Mitsubishi way.” He argues that there is a wealthy audience, especially those in their 70s, who dream of driving these cars now that their children are grown up.

In response, Mitsubishi Motors President Keisuke Kishiura stated that the resurgence of the Galant and Lancer Evo is not in the company’s current product plans. Kishiura, however, emphasized the desire to “prioritize Mitsubishi’s unique characteristics” in future projects and expressed his “dream” of resuming the factory’s participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

To better understand the statements obtained thanks to Mr. Nakajima, Best Car arranged an interview with the shareholder on an emergency basis.

During the meeting, shareholder and individual owner Hiroshi Nakajima inquired about Mitsubishi Motors’ relaunch of classic cars. With an impeccable pompadour hairstyle, he initially made a curious impression, but turned out to be a sensible and extremely interesting interlocutor, sharing his perspectives.

The atmosphere at Mitsubishi Group meetings

When asked about the reason that led him to acquire shares in Mitsubishi Motors, Hiroshi Nakajima revealed that his intention was to offer support. He recalled childhood memories when Mitsubishi cars competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally and UK Self-Defense Forces jeeps were also produced by the company, which prompted him to support the company financially.

He detailed that he has been investing in stocks for several decades.

However, his participation as a shareholder in Mitsubishi Motors is more recent, having started around three years ago.

The shareholder confirmed the period, three years.

Asked if there was a specific reason to start investing in the automaker at this time, Nakajima explained his desire to support a Japanese conglomerate with such a vast history. He reported holding shares in four Mitsubishi Group companies: Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Chemical and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank.

Asked about the particularities of the Mitsubishi Group’s general meetings compared to other corporations, Nakajima described a unique “pressure”. He characterized it as a sense of superiority and a determination not to allow losses, an atmosphere he considers “refined”.

Despite the recent introduction of the facelifted Pajero, Mr Nakajima was asked about his insistence, for the second year in a row, on the return of classic vehicles and brands at the assembly.

Nakajima’s explanation for this persistence lies in the fact that Mitsubishi’s vintage vehicles have a loyal fan base, especially among those over 70 years old. Many of these consumers were unable to purchase the cars they desired in their youth, as they were focused on raising their children, and now, with greater purchasing power, they seek to fulfill these old desires.

He also shared some ideas for the Delica D:5 and Delica Mini models.

Nakajima pointed out that the original Delica had a robust, square image and was often used by professionals to transport materials. Although the current Delica D:5 is flashy and has a “UFO-like” design, he believes there is a market for a more utilitarian version, similar to a van, with more basic specifications for the Delica D:5 or Delica Mini, even suggesting an adaptation for wheelchair users, due to its low floor.

The idea of ​​a Delica Mini with an accessible design, which would allow wheelchairs to be placed via a ramp in the rear seat, was then discussed.

This proposal is driven by Nakajima’s conviction that the demand for vehicles adapted for people with disabilities will increase significantly in the future, given the aging trend of the Japanese population.

Finally, the interviewer noticed Mr. Nakajima’s passion for cars, despite him not having a driver’s license.

He confirmed that he does not have a license to drive, but defines himself as a great automobile enthusiast. Recalling his earliest automotive memories, he cited his uncle, who worked at Nissan in Nagasaki and drove a white Lotus Europa, which he described as “straight out of ‘Circuit no Ōkami'”. The image of when he was nine years old in the passenger seat, with the seat without reclining and the need to lean over to see the dashboard with the speedometer, rev counter and wooden frame, remains vivid in his mind.