Mitsubishi is skipping the 2009 model year for its Lancer Evolution X, gearing up to launch an improved 2010 Evo X instead. Mitsubishi spokesman Maurice Durand told Inside Line that the current Evo's late introduction would have resulted in a six- or seven-month 2009 model year, and the short year coupled with the auto industry's recent slow-down, prompted the Japanese automaker to continue to sell the 2008 model into 2009.

'We didn't start full out of the gate with the Evo X,' said Durand. 'We launched the GSR in February (2008) and the MR in July (2008), which would have made for a shortened 2009 model year.'

Although Durand said the decision was made earlier to skip 2009, he does admit that it also has something to do with the slow economy. 'Dealer traffic is good on the Evo, but the credit problem has hurt the ability to translate traffic into Evo sales.'

Durand also said that it's possible only the U.S. market will miss the 2009 Evo. 'I can only speak for the U.S. market, but every market situation is different. Japan launched the Evo X in 2007, the MR in December 2007, so it's likely they'll have a 2009 model.'

The 2009 Evo would have been carryover, with the first round of changes affecting the 2010 Evo X. Durand would not elaborate on the future updates, but said the 2010 will 'feature several refinements' when it launches late this summer.