Staff Reporter, Dhaka : RANCON Auto Industries Ltd. has achieved a major milestone with the official launch of the Bangladeshi-manufactured Mitsubishi Xpander — a seven-seater family SUV powered by a 1.5-liter MIVEC engine, combining legendary Japanese reliability with local innovation.

The momentous occasion was graced by His Excellency SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest, followed by the presence of Mr. Romo Rouf Chowdhury, Group Managing Director of RANCON Holdings, and Ms. Farhana Karim, Managing Director. The event was also attended by senior officials from Mitsubishi Motors, along with dignitaries and prominent figures from both the public and private sectors.

This launch marks a milestone in RANCON’s vision to transform Bangladesh into a global manufacturing hub. RANCON Industrial Park, situated on a massive 52-acre site, now manufactures for globally renowned brands, including Mitsubishi, Suzuki two-wheelers, Mercedes-Benz bus chassis, Proton, JAC, LG, and Toshiba — a true testament to the Group’s long-term vision and capability.

Delivering a special address via video from Japan, Mr. Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, praised the successful partnership between Mitsubishi and RANCON and said, “This is just the beginning of a promising journey. With Dual AC, Xpander is engineered specifically for ASEAN markets and has received an overwhelmingly positive response across the region. Bangladesh has a proven track record. Together with RANCON, we look forward to building a future of excellence and reliability with the Bangladeshi-made Xpander.”

 Also present at the ceremony was Mr. Yutaka Yano, Division General Manager of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, who emphasized the level of Japanese compliance rigorously maintained throughout the production & QC process. He said, “RANCON Auto Industries Limited has state-of-the-art facilities and maintains strict quality control. From paint shop to final assembly, every step meets Mitsubishi’s global standards. The result is the seven-seater Xpander, which is safe, dependable, and affordable for Bangladeshi families. We’ve seen RANCON also make the after-sales availability all over the country.” 

In his keynote, Mr. Romo Rouf Chowdhury, GMD of RANCON, spoke passionately about the company’s vision: “We’ve been the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Bangladesh for the last 50 years. Thanks to this long partnership & Bangladesh government’s manufacturing initiatives, we have created an ecosystem that produces cars with the highest global benchmarks & affordable pricing. We’ve built the best-in-class paint shop, assembly lines, and a team of professionals trained directly by Japanese experts. Each Xpander has a 5-year warranty & 2 years of servicing included. With 11 after-sales service touchpoints, we want to ensure safety, quality, and value for the people of Bangladesh.”

The Chief Guest, Japanese Ambassador His Excellency SAIDA Shinichi, expressed admiration for the growing strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan. “This launch is not just about a car. It symbolizes deeper technical cooperation, value creation & bilateral friendship for the next phase of our shared future.”

The glamorous event was hosted by some of the country’s most glamorous celebrities and influencers, headlined by Siam Ahmed, a celebrated film star and the official Brand Ambassador for Mitsubishi Motors Bangladesh.