In Australia, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. (MMAL) has a network of around 200 dealers and service centres across the country, enabling people and businesses to drive their ambition through technology, design and product advantages in its range of cars, SUVs and utes.

Welcome to another edition of Fast Five – our fortnightly series where we ask Victoria’s most influential and exceptional business leaders five questions to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of Australia’s most dynamic businesses.

In this edition we spoke to Fulvio Fattore, MMAL General Manager Business Partnerships and General Manager Victoria and Tasmania Dealer Network.

Fulvio Fattore has over 20 years of sales, marketing, operations and general leadership expertise. His responsibilities include developing customer-centric, sustainable solutions for business fleets that enable customers to solve everyday demands through to designing integrated fleet procurement options such as Mitsubishi Business Advantage.

#1: Mitsubishi is a favourite among commercial clients for its durable range. How does MMAL work with its fleet clients and what is the Mitsubishi Motors Business Advantage?

MMAL adopts a solutions-based approach when it comes to partnering with business fleet partnerships. Whether you’re a small, medium or large business, we’re about creating fleet solutions that help manage company vehicle assets of all shapes and size with ease via minimal administration.

For instance, Mitsubishi Motors Business Advantage (MMBA) is the perfect solution to everyday vehicles assets. Whether you’re a tradie running from site to site, or a road warrior clocking up kilometres for work, MMBA is a business vehicle plan that gives you a better way to manage your vehicle or fleet.

It’s like having a subscription to a streaming service. You get a brand-new vehicle while only paying one monthly invoice that covers registration, service and maintenance and more, keeping you free to take care of your business. It’s risk-free, cashflow friendly and a big paperwork reducer, meaning business operators are able to free up precious time to better focus on growing their business – their most important asset.

#2: In a competitive market, how does Mitsubishi maintain its market position and aim for constant improvement?

Listening to our customers and presenting options and solutions that provide real value is the key to maintaining our position. Vehicle safety, occupational health and safety, fit-for-purpose vehicles, buying vs. financing vs. fully maintained operating lease, and mobility. These areas can be difficult for Businesses to navigate. We are a Brand that has grown exponentially in the Business Fleet segment due to our ability to help our customers work through these complex issues.

#3: The vehicle industry hasn’t been immune to supply chain shocks caused by COVID-19 and global uncertainty. How has Mitsubishi navigated this period?

Mitsubishi Motors has not been immune to supply chain shocks. We have attempted to manage this volatility through a number of initiatives. These include educating our customers on delivery lead times and purchase to delivery cycles, working with our Dealer Network partners to maximise distribution flow swiftly and accurately, and addressing customer demand through the adaptation of vehicle specification to match customer needs.

#4: Environmentally conscious buyers are looking to cleaner technology and alternative propulsion. How far has the Australian market come in this space, and what further progress can be made around vehicle and infrastructure development?

Cutting Australia’s transport emissions from cars through the rollout of EVs would have a significant impact on Australia’s emissions. EV adoption in Australia is low, currently sitting at less than 2% of reported annual new car sales reported due to factors such as driving range anxiety and lack of charging infrastructure, limited consumer choice of vehicles offering drivers broad functional utility in the Australian geographic context, and cost barriers.

Mitsubishi’s Plug In Hybrid EV (PHEV) technology is an underrepresented EV variant available now for uptake by Australian drivers and has the potential to make significant inroads into Australia’s CO2 vehicle emissions before the crucial 2030 milestone, and without significant investment in infrastructure required to successfully scale alternate technologies.

PHEVs offer a range of immediate benefits including access to existing infrastructure and an affordable entry price. Experience the all new Eclipse Cross Plug In Hybrid EV or Outlander Plug In Hybrid EV via a test drive today.

#5: What are some of Mitsubishi’s own exciting developments in its vehicle range?

Unfortunately, that’s a secret for now. However, what I can say is that Mitsubishi Motors is well placed to meet the forever changing needs of our collective customers.

I particularly like the all-new ‘Dendo Drive House’ concept. Mitsubishi’s Dendo (Japanese for electric) Drive House system offers a new energy ecosystem where vehicles and buildings can power each other. Buildings with a Dendo solar and battery system can generate, store and transfer energy between the building and Mitsubishi PHEVs via a bidirectional charger and smart energy management system.

Mitsubishi sees Dendo Drive House and PHEV as the future of sustainable transport – a solution that can be implemented across Australian homes today. Expect to hear more on our Dendo Drive House soon.