2008 Mitsubishi Lancer to arrive in the U.S. first

Mitsubishi will bring the 2008 Lancer Evolution to the United States before any other market -- even the automaker's homeland of Japan. The production sedan is based closely on the Mitsubishi Concept-X, and will be introduced in Japan in fall 2007 -- about six months after it arrives in America, reports the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper. That places the U.S. debut somewhere around late spring 2007 -- possibly at the New York Auto Show in April, or even a preview at the Detroit show in January. Mitsubishi hopes to sell around 50,000 Lancers next year in the 'States. (See also: recent spy shots of a Concept-X Rally Edition).