The News Wheel
No Comments

What Happened to Diamond-Star Motors?

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
1st Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Eclipse

In the 1970s, Chrysler and Mitsubishi kind of had a thing together. Chrysler bought 15% of the Mitsubishi Motors stock and began selling Mitsubishis in the US rebadged as Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth (R.I.P.).

In 1985, they decided to have a kid, and they named it Diamond-Star Motors, otherwise known by enthusiasts as DSM. They built a plant in Normal, Illinois, and started producing the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon, a brand new sports car developed by both companies. These later gave way to sedans and coupes like the Mitsubishi Galant, Dodge Stratus, and Chrysler Sebring coupe.


Mitsubishi News: New Mitsubishi Concept Previews Future Brand Design


In 1991, they decided to separate when Mitsubishi purchased Chrysler’s half of the joint venture. DSM was renamed to Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing of America. The DSM plant still exists under this name, where the Mitsubishi platform that the Outlander Sport is based on is manufactured by about 1,900 employees. It’s the only Mitsubishi car plant in North America.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – Modern-day DSM?

So, there you have it. If you drive an Outlander Sport, you can consider yourself a DSM owner just like you had always dreamed in the 1990s after seeingĀ Paul Walker drive that little green Eclipse in The Fast and the Furious.


Outlander Sport: Consumer Reports names Outlander Sport Most Reliable