Mitsubishi slashes Pajero price

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has slashed the price of its four-wheel-drive Pajero range by up to 15 per cent, effective last Monday.

Prices of other vehicles in the carmaker's line-up have also been reduced.

The carmaker says it is part of a "strategic realignment." But Mitsubishi is reacting to competitive price pressures in a off-road market littered with the lure of discounts.

The base model 3.5-litre V6 Pajero GLS now has a recommended retail of $59,990, down 11 per cent.

The top-range 3.2-litre direct injection turbodiesel Pajero Exceed now costs $69,990, down almost 15 per cent.

Said Peter Wilkins, the company's national sales manager: "The vehicle marketplace is fluid, dynamic and very competitive and these adjustments more accurately reflect the current market conditions and our wish to increase market share in this segment.

"The ongoing strength of the New Zealand dollar against the yen has also assisted.

"Pajero is an icon recreational vehicle and hundreds have been sold, but these adjustments were necessary to help customers accurately position Pajero when considering a new vehicle.

"We have made smaller recommended retail price reductions on both petrol and turbodiesel Challenger and selected Triton models for similar reasons," he said.