New 'Magna' name game in public domain

‘MAGNA’ might be one of the most recognisable car names in Australia but it looks like we, the people, will be charged with the task of finding a new one.

Mitsubishi Australia boss Tom Phillips has revealed to GoAuto that the Magna is almost certain not to be the name chosen for the replacement car due in October 2005 and that three or four alternative names – one of which is Galant – would be put to Australians in a national competition held early next year.

"I don’t want to use those words (‘wiping the slate clean’) but that’s a great consideration," he said.

"If you use those words, then what you’re doing is destroying the value of everyone who owns a Magna. However, this is a totally new car, a totally different car, and the name needs to be considered in that light. So that’s what we’re doing." Mr Phillips said Mitsubishi Australia had full discretion over the name and that a decision would be made around three months before the car’s release.

"We’re going to try and get the mood of the market involved in the naming of this car," he said.

"Galant will be on the list and there are two or three others which, I think, are worthy of consideration." As a result of the Lonsdale engine plant’s closure, the new car’s 3.8-litre V6 will be built in Mitsubishi’s Kyoto, Japan, plant and other components such as brakes will also be sourced from Japan.

Otherwise, said Mr Phillips, Mitsubishi’s restructuring plant would not affect the forthcoming Adelaide-built car – or those from overseas – and the aim was still to manufacture 30,000 vehicles per annum in 2006, all but 5000 of which would be built for local consumption.