In a defined case of acquiring product that meets purpose, the Italian State Police (Arma dei Carabinieri) has added the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to its vehicle fleet. Delivered to the General Command in Rome, the vehicles will be based initially in the Carabinieri Commandos of Rome and Milan and used for specific tasks, such as the transportation of organs and blood, as well as for institutional operational needs, such as the protection of the territory.
Mitsubishi has supplied the Arma dei Carabinieri previously with specifically equipped and armoured Shoguns for use in high-risk areas, including Afghanistan and Iraq, where ruggedness and reliability are of utmost importance, as well as the i-MiEV electric city-car for use in low-emission urban areas.
While the reliability and sturdiness of Mitsubishi products is of primary importance, the message that this sends to not only Fiat-Chrysler Automotive but also the people of Italy is clear: FCA is no longer the default supplier to government departments. While the company’s Jeep division could have supplied locally-built (Mirafiori plant, Turin) Renegades, or even the Fiat 500X, as alternatives, the Carabinieri believes Mitsubishi to be more important for its services.
