A report in a Japanese paper, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, says Mitsubishi Motors will restructure its entire production system in a major overhaul which is expected to lead to DaimlerChrysler-nominated president Rolf Eckrodt stepping down.

Mitsubishi Motors has denied the report, which suggests the initiative will lead to large financial and job losses. Mitsubishi reportedly plans to transfer production of its Pajero (Shogun in the UK) models to China, to consolidate domestic Japanese manufacturing operations, and to review the future of its South East Asian joint ventures as part of the restructuring efforts. - It was confirmed last week that Mitsubishi Motors Europe president Stefan Jacobi is leaving MME to accept what media report suggest is an unrefusable offer from an as-yet unnamed European manufacturer.