Old reliable: 30 years on, Filipino-built Mitsubishi L300 continues to serve

MANILA: The classic Mitsubishi L300 truly continues to captivate the hearts and minds of Filipino motorists through its simple, elegant design and tough performance.

Being in the market for over 30 years, small and medium businesses continue to use the L300 as a people hauler or delivery van as it boasts low-cost maintenance with reliability.

The Filipino-made Mitsubishi L300 is being constructed in the Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) Sta. Rosa plant.

Since its launch three decades ago, the dependable workhorse has moved over 190,000 units, and it recently commemorated its 200,000^th production milestone.

The L300 is fitted with a Euro-4 turbocharged intercooler diesel engine that generates 200Nm of torque and 97hp. It has a fuel consumption rating of 15.43 km/liter according to the 2019 fuel test conducted by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP).

The family of William Yu, who owned a hardware store during the 1990s, owns the utilitarian van. They acquired the L300 essentially to support the delivery arm of their business. 

Through the years, they had used it as a family van as well as a school service. Over the decades, the L300 had performed difficult tasks such as heavy hauling of hardware items, and has even negotiated flooded roads.

Despite being a vehicle for multi-purpose use, the L300 has remained steadfast, and had never failed the Yus.

However, when the family went through a financial crisis, they unfortunately had to sell the vehicle.

The youngest son of Yu, Ernest (in photo above), felt the impact of losing the vehicle. Being an engineering student, he admired the workmanship that has been put on the L300, aside from its capabilities.

Happily, after several years, the family was able to surmount the financial predicament. Ernest communicated with his uncle, who purchased the L300 from their family, and bought the utilitarian van back.

A few repairs were made, yet with the application of his skills in fixing vehicles, he was able to restore the van which he named later on as “Legend.”

Ernest is now the president of the Mitsubishi L300 Enthusiast Club. Aside from organizing group activities that improve camaraderie among members, outreach projects to support the community are also facilitated.

During the start of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Ernest was one of the volunteers for providing vehicle support and manpower for street sanitation. He also offered free transport for frontliners. He and “Legend” worked relentlessly and regularly to contribute to the flattening of the curve.

Jessie Cabral (above) is also proud of his Mitsubishi L300. Though he admitted that it was not his first option, the car owner eventually became one of the strong enthusiasts of the Mitsubishi model and is currently the vice president of the L300 Club of the Philippines.

He perceives the L300 as a flexible and multi-purpose vehicle. Six years ago, he purchased the unit for his delivery business, and then used the vehicle for different outreach initiatives.

He recalls fond memories of going to various places like Dingalan, Aurora to provide support to an Aeta tribe.

Cabral also acknowledged the excellent performance of the L300 as he remembered passing through steep zigzag roads and traversing rivers without any problems with the vehicle.

When ECQ was enforced in Metro Manila, it negatively impacted his delivery business. Yet, he used the versatile characteristics of his L300 and steered his business to a shuttle service for companies.

For September, MMPC announces a special price offer of P698,000 for the Mitsubishi L300, factoring in a generous P106,000 discount from its original retail price.

For customers who want to know more about the trusted and dependable Mitsubishi L300, they can visit the brand’s 55 dealer outlets nationwide or their official website here.

Photos from Mitsubishi

Also read: Mitsubishi PH rolls out 200,000th L300 unit