Cornish dealer group Hawkins Motors has added Mitsubishi to its group portfolio at its Browns Hill site which also holds a Peugeot franchise.

Hawkins is a family run business which also represents Citroen, Hyundai, Kia and Great Wall.

The Mitsubishi business is led by dealer principal Richard May. Hawkinks will be investing in a new showroom for the Mitsubishi brand next year.

Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK managing director, said: “Hawkins join us at what is an exciting time for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.

“Next year sees the launch of a new diesel Outlander Crossover and B-segment Mirage, not forgetting the launch of Mitsubishi's plug-in hybrid technology later in the year.

“After the launch of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in 2009, Mitsubishi's plug-in hybrid technology is the next major step, not only within the motor industry, but towards Mitsubishi's green target of vehicles with PHEV/ EV technology accounting for 20% of sales by 2020.

“Hawkins Mitsubishi is a well-established family run business, with a reputation for excellent customer service. This is just the type of dealer that will be successful within the Mitsubishi dealer network and will help strengthen the Mitsubishi brand in Cornwall.”

The addition of Hawkins takes Mitsubishi to 114 dealers in the UK. Mitsubishi will be looking to rebuild some volume in the UK as new models come to market. Excluding pick-up sales, the brand has seen its market share steadily fall since 2005 from 1.02% down to 0.51% in 2011.

Annual registrations have fallen from a high of 24,972 units in 2005 down to 9,843 in 2009. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Mitubishi also sold an additional 6,178 pick-up models in 2011.