The forthcoming Colt small car should represent up to a third of all Mitsubishi's European sales volumes as the carmaker returns to profit in 2003, says a bullish Mitsubishi Motors CEO Rolf Eckrodt.

He says the Colt hatchback, which was launched in Japan a few days ago, will not be available in Europe (with different bodywork) until 2004, and might also bear a different name. It will share a platform and a total of 60% of components with the smart 4-seater. Both will be assembled in Born in The Netherlands, while its engine will be made at Kölleda in Thüringen. The models' volume target for European sales is set at 100,000 - which represents about a third of targeted total Mitsubishi sales.