The Great Mitsubishi Caper

If your school principal shows up in the parking lot soon with a new Mitsubishi Endeavor — here’s why. The Pantagraph has reported that “the Central Illinois Mitsubishi Task Force will allow governments and qualifying businesses to purchase four types of 2005 Mitsubishi vehicles — the Galant, the Eclipse Coupe, the Endeavor sports utility vehicle, and the Eclipse Spyder — at discounts ranging from nearly $3,900 to more than $5,200.” The program is available to entities in 18 counties, including Champaign, Piatt and Ford (sorry, Douglas).

Th task force was created to help boost local sales. Mitsubishi operates a plant in Normal, its only North American facility, which has struggled recently. Last year, the plant laid off 1,100 workers; the company blamed slumping car sales for the cut. The plant began producing the Eclipse this month.

Unfortunately, the discount isn’t available to regular Joe Schmoes.