Today I received a phone call from Braam Faul, the National Marketing Manager for Mitsu SA.
He is very keen for a meeting between the Pajero Club and Mitsu SA with a view to fostering a relationship with us. While he specifically mentioned trying to allay fears surrounding the Imperial parts story, he was keen to set up open and honest communications around other areas.
He also mentioned that it gladdened him to see such fierce brand loyalty amongst Pajero owners. It gladdens me immensely that Mitsu has initiated this, albeit prompted (perhaps) by individual contact from some members.
Now before we set up this meeting I need input from members as to what specific items you would like to see on the agenda. Bear in mind that I intend the Pajero Club to maintain it's independence from Mitsu (unless the majority of members feel otherwise), and that the Pajero Club will not be a Mitsu mouthpiece.
If you have any other comments regarding this please post. If there are some issues you might want to raise but not in the open, feel free to PM me. Any comms will remain confidential.
Many thanks.
S.
It would be good for the club to remain independent, even better would be if Mitsubishi would utilise the feedback from the forum as a barometer of how well work on their brand / servicing / parts distribution is going.
Maybe they could even bounce ideas off, such as introduction of certain engines, or make corrections to vehicles based on feedback from typical problems we report.
Sent from a Desire HD with Forum Runner
Maybe they could even bounce ideas off, such as introduction of certain engines, or make corrections to vehicles based on feedback from typical problems we report.
Sent from a Desire HD with Forum Runner
I think this is great, Paj club to maintain its own independance IMHO, but would be nice to have some sections to list any recalls, accessories from dealers, specials, events and a known issues and fixes and what about a technical person from Mits to provide input into some issues experienced, this works well for instance on forums ( not 4x4 but other forums) where they can assist and be contacted via the forum. Seen this work well in other industries, but believe this is a great step forward and opportunity for all members. What ever happened to the xplorers club?
Affiliate Member
A full bore re-instatement of the Xplorer's club magazine send out and more regular Mitsu training and outing days would be great!
IMHO, i agree. the Pajero Owners club should keep its independence and still have its own identity. Alter all it is the "Pajero" Owners who dwell in theses webpages (even Potential owners who want to cross over), share info experience and knowledge regarding the "Brand" of motor vehicle we all so fiercely enjoy. We even GTG once in a while and let the Pajero's strut there stuff. Personally i wouldn't want the forum to loose its "informal, social, independence"
If the opportunity is there to have a more direct communication route to the "Brand" to voice opinions, suggestions, feedback (Good and bad) why should we not welcome it? If this communication route can also include feed back from the "Brand" this will be even more to a mutual advantage.
As mentioned already, social events, launches off new products, and to a certain extend sourcing of hard to find parts (non service items) not only for the newer generation Pajero's, but also for the less known variations (IO, Jnr) and the mature generation Pajero's.
The availability of service items and critical spares is a total different discussion with them all together.
There should be a fine balance between keeping the forum fun and full of information or let it become a place like hello peter where everyone who ever had a complaint run to regarding the brand.
M2CW 
If the opportunity is there to have a more direct communication route to the "Brand" to voice opinions, suggestions, feedback (Good and bad) why should we not welcome it? If this communication route can also include feed back from the "Brand" this will be even more to a mutual advantage.
As mentioned already, social events, launches off new products, and to a certain extend sourcing of hard to find parts (non service items) not only for the newer generation Pajero's, but also for the less known variations (IO, Jnr) and the mature generation Pajero's.
The availability of service items and critical spares is a total different discussion with them all together.
There should be a fine balance between keeping the forum fun and full of information or let it become a place like hello peter where everyone who ever had a complaint run to regarding the brand.
M2CW __________________
♫♪ ٩(•̮̮̃•̃)۶ ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶ ٩(●̮̮̃•̃)۶ ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶
2001 Pajero 3.2 Di-D LWB Manual (sold)
2001 Pajero 3.2 Di-D LWB Auto (sold)
♫♪ ٩(•̮̮̃•̃)۶ ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶ ٩(●̮̮̃•̃)۶ ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶
2001 Pajero 3.2 Di-D LWB Manual (sold)
2001 Pajero 3.2 Di-D LWB Auto (sold)
Affiliate Member
I agree that independence is key. Imagine if Mitsu finds out we are exposing their technicians that want to overhaul pumps left right and center when the problem is only a dirty injector or a failing speed sensor.
Firstly, I think it will be mutually beneficial for the Club and Mitsubishi Motors to "network" is some way.
Secondly, I drive a Pajero iO, which was only sold in small numbers in the late 90's and early 2000's. My question is obviously parts related. The switch over to Imperial as the importers was always going to create some availability problems. This I am sure will be sorted out. I would like to know what their policy is relating to parts. How long will parts still be available after a model has been discontinued?
Secondly, I drive a Pajero iO, which was only sold in small numbers in the late 90's and early 2000's. My question is obviously parts related. The switch over to Imperial as the importers was always going to create some availability problems. This I am sure will be sorted out. I would like to know what their policy is relating to parts. How long will parts still be available after a model has been discontinued?
It seems like a good opportunity for the forum, if they are serious about fostering a lasting relationship and not just a once off PR exercise due to the Imperial shift.
The parts availability problem was/is a big boo-boo on their side - it made a lot off loyal Mitsu owners very negative. They need to address that issue seriously and fast. Just keeping quite about it will not better their image on this.
My feeling is likewise - the forum must stay independent, it is what makes it valuable in my eyes. No standard, PR friendly, absolute political type correct responses, but straight honest replies by owners with a real interest, willing to point out the good and the bad.
What other advantages does Mitsu SA see about creating a relationship with the forum? What are their ideas about this? To be blunt: what is in it for them and for us?
The parts availability problem was/is a big boo-boo on their side - it made a lot off loyal Mitsu owners very negative. They need to address that issue seriously and fast. Just keeping quite about it will not better their image on this.
My feeling is likewise - the forum must stay independent, it is what makes it valuable in my eyes. No standard, PR friendly, absolute political type correct responses, but straight honest replies by owners with a real interest, willing to point out the good and the bad.
What other advantages does Mitsu SA see about creating a relationship with the forum? What are their ideas about this? To be blunt: what is in it for them and for us?
Mitsubishi on the forum.
My opinion:
1) We maintain our independence – by not accepting any form of sponsorship for the forum. They are welcome to sponsor events or training, but not the forum.
2) They have a “sales” member – this to advise us on accessories and models.
3) They have a “technical” member - this to help us with technical questions, but please see my next point.
4) Simon and the moderators keep an eye on them to not get too “clever”, abrasive or arrogant. We could crawl into our shells for fear of posting and then getting Big Bro talking down to us in a reprimanding way. We all do things to our Pajeros that fall outside the design specs – either in use or through mods – and don’t want to get lectured on it by Big Bro. That said, I think it would be great to get advice and info from the horses mouth and if managed correctly, could be of great benefit to us all. They obviously spy on us already, so there shouldn't be much additional info for them
Just my personal opinion.
Roelf
My opinion:
1) We maintain our independence – by not accepting any form of sponsorship for the forum. They are welcome to sponsor events or training, but not the forum.
2) They have a “sales” member – this to advise us on accessories and models.
3) They have a “technical” member - this to help us with technical questions, but please see my next point.
4) Simon and the moderators keep an eye on them to not get too “clever”, abrasive or arrogant. We could crawl into our shells for fear of posting and then getting Big Bro talking down to us in a reprimanding way. We all do things to our Pajeros that fall outside the design specs – either in use or through mods – and don’t want to get lectured on it by Big Bro. That said, I think it would be great to get advice and info from the horses mouth and if managed correctly, could be of great benefit to us all. They obviously spy on us already, so there shouldn't be much additional info for them
Just my personal opinion.
Roelf