Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) recently provided additional evidence of the company's confidence in its future by celebrating the commissioning of its new "AA" tandem press line at Tonsley Park in Adelaide, South Australia.

Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Mike Rann, joined MMAL President and CEO Tom Phillips, manufacturing employees and special guests to officially commission the new equipment, which pressed the first-ever roof panels of Mitsubishi's all-new large car.

"Our mandate is to have our new car be the best-quality car ever built in Australia," said Tom Phillips.

"To achieve this, we've reviewed every element of our manufacturing process and philosophy. The result amounts to the most significant upgrade of this plant in its 40-year history, bringing Mitsubishi’s Australian operations to the forefront of global automobile manufacturing technology."

The large press components, automation robotics, and associated facilities represent a $40 million investment that is part of MMAL’s overall $600 million investment for the new car, due for release in October 2005.

As the largest press line within the global MMC group, and the largest facility of its type within the Australian automotive industry. The press line is made up of four separate presses that collectively weigh 1,100 tonnes, with steel accounting for 90% of its weight. At maximum speed, it can stamp out 450 one-piece body sides per hour.

The machinery will make the one side panel for the new car instead of using four separate pieces for the same section, offering better strength and rigidity to the vehicle body shell. In short, a more accurate body is produced and a weight reduction in the vehicle is achieved, additionally the cost to manufacture is also reduced.

The presses are large enough to make panels for any model, including SUV-sized vehicles, increasing Tonsley Park's manufacturing flexibility for the future.

"Advances in new vehicle manufacturing technology demands innovative and flexible manufacturing methods and we've invested not only a lot of money, but also a lot of time and thought into the planning of this new car,” added Tom Phillips.

In July 2003, Tom Phillips celebrated with employees the first sod turning for the construction of the new dedicated building that now houses the equipment. The building is 158m long, 30m high, 30m wide and includes a basement and main floor equal in size to a third of a football oval.

A year later in July 2004, Tom Phillips and Premier Mike Rann celebrated on the wharf at Port Adelaide the arrival of the components from Spain.