Foundations
- 1870: Yataro Iwasaki established the Tsukumo Trading Company, later renamed Mitsubishi in 1873.
- 1875: Mitsubishi purchased its first steamship, initiating its shipping business.
Growth and Diversification
- 1881: Mitsubishi expanded into coal mining with the acquisition of the Takashima Coal Mine.
- 1917: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. introduced Japan’s first domestically produced car, the Mitsubishi Model A.
- 1934: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was formed by uniting several Mitsubishi companies.
Post-War Recovery
- 1950: Allied occupation policies after World War II resulted in MHI being split into three separate entities.
- 1964: The companies merged back into MHI, which diversified into sectors such as aerospace and heavy machinery.
Modern Expansion
- 1970: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) was founded as an independent company from MHI.
- 1980s: MMC partnered with Chrysler, establishing Diamond-Star Motors in the U.S.
- 2000s: Mitsubishi turned its focus to green technologies, launching the i-MiEV, one of the first mass-produced electric vehicles.
Mitsubishi's Evolution: From Shipping Firm to Global Conglomerate