Mitsubishi is tackling parallel imports in the United Kingdom via a novel method. It recently settled a legal dispute with 11 British businesses regarding the import of vehicles from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) into the UK for sale. The action was taken on the basis that those trademarked vehicles have been or will be placed on the market in the UK without the consent of the trademark owner.

The 11 defendants have signed a legally binding agreement to cease all dealings in the EEA of any Mitsubishi vehicles which infringe its trademark rights.

Mitsubishi has allowed one exception as part of the agreement. It permits the defendants to continue to import or deal in Mitsubishi vehicles imported from outside the EEA which are more than three years old.

It felt that the imports, left unchecked, would be damaging to the brand. Owners of such 'unauthorised' cars lacked aftersales support and were not backed by the manufacturer's warranty.