25 August 2007

Mitsuoka Launches Orochi in Malaysia

Japan’s First Modeled Supercar

Petaling Jaya – Mitsuoka Motors, the world acclaimed hand-made classic and antique Japanese car manufacturer launches its sleek supercar, Orochi in a grand celebration of class and futuristic sophistication at its showroom in Jalan 222.

Malaysia was handpicked by its founder and President, Mr Susumu Mitsuoka as the first country in the world to market the stunning Orochi after it was successfully launched in Japan at the end of 2006.

Speaking at the function, Mr. Takanari Kawamura, Director of Mitsuoka Company Japan Ltd said, “We are proud to introduce the Orochi to the Malaysian market. Although the revolutionary design of the car is a shift from our current models of classic vintage cars, we stay true to our Company values of producing superior cars that are not just great to look at, but also come with excellence driving performance and high safety standards.”

“Today, even in Japan, we take pride as being the number one in global automobile production pursuing efficiency and profitability. A project specifically to design and develop a hand-fitted car is seldom heard of. In Mitsuoka, we are “crazy people with a love for the machine” - a small automobile manufacturer who challenges convention to produce hand-fitted machines from the Orient,” he further added.

Assembled at the Mitsuoka plant in Toyama, Japan, the Orochi is a supercar of form, style and functionality in a sporty comprehensive package. Orochi was first built in Japan in 2001 as a concept car for the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show and subsequently redesigned in 2003 and 2005. Mitsuoka officially launched Orochi in Japan at the end of 2006 with a production that is limited to only 400 units over the next four years.

Also speaking at the function was Mr Takanori Aoki, the key designer of Orochi, “The Orochi takes inspiration from the legendary Giant Snake, Yamata-no-Orochi from Japanese folklore. Yamata-no- Orochi was a gigantic snake with a body that was the length of eight hills. Its fiery orange eyes struck fear in all who saw it, and its belly was blood red. This giant had eight heads and eight tails. Mitsuoka Orochi’s stylish body replicates the firm muscles of the Yamata no Orochi, reminiscent of the waves and swift movements, the power and energy of the legendary snake captivating your attention whichever angle you view it.”

Truly exclusive to purveyors of sophistication, the Mitsuoka Orochi is powered by a 3,300cc 3MZ-FE V6 engine and is designed as a fashion super car with functionality in mind. This two-seated convertible won the Consumer’s Choice Awards for the Car of the Year in 2006 in Japan, with orders exceeding their production capacity for 2007.

Mr Aoki further added, “The Mitsuoka Orochi was designed with a purpose-built engine meant to be driven in and around town where speed limit is a restriction. Conventional super sports cars spot bigger capacity engines and power, but often ignore modern road conditions and the environmental problems that they contribute to. Mitsuoka Orochi breaks the mould for super sport cars. It is a super performance sports car that is efficient and minimises its impact on the environment, compatible to a more environmentally conscious society. It is light weight and compact for everyday usability yet with the form and efficient aerodynamics of a sports car.”

Specifically build-to-order, the splendour of Mitsuoka’s superior craftsmanship lies in the meticulous precision of dedicated craftsman that hand-assembles the car, from the design details of its outer frames to the finishing stitches of its leather seats. Taut and poised with a soulful character of its own, the Orochi embodies the perfection and attention to details that can never be duplicated with mass production.

“After 39 years in the industry from a small factory with big dreams to the creation of Japan’s first ever-modelled super car, we are prepared to take on the challenges of a competitive car industry with continuous efforts focused on delivering innovation while holding true to tradition. We will continue to bring the same level of customer care, experience and workmanship to this new generation of Mitsuoka car owners and we hope that the Malaysian motoring public will come to love this brand,” said Mr Takanari.

Having relocated its showroom to a bigger and more spacious premise at Jalan 222 to serve its growing clientele, Able Automobile Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of cars for Mitsuoka Motors Company Ltd of Japan, currently showcases ten types of Mitsuoka car models. These include Galue I,Galue II Nouera, Ryoga, Viewt, Viewt II, Cute, MPV, Le Seyde and Classic Type F.

Customers are welcome to view the Orochi at the Able Automobile showroom in Jalan 222, Petaling Jaya.