Plymouth Sapporo
The 1978-1983 Sapporo was a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda), which was also known as Mitsubishi Sapporo in Europe and South America, Dodge Colt Challenger in North America, and Chrysler Sigma Scorpion, Chrysler Scorpion and later the Mitsubishi Scorpion in Australia, and as the Colt Sapporo in the United Kingdom.
Plymouth Sapporo Overview
The Plymouth Sapporo was a sporty compact car sold in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Sapporo was essentially a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda and was sold alongside its twin, the Dodge Challenger (not to be confused with the earlier or later muscle car versions of the Dodge Challenger).
The Plymouth Sapporo was introduced in North America for the 1978 model year and was available through the 1983 model year. It was one of the several vehicles sold under the Chrysler umbrella but was produced by Mitsubishi as part of their ongoing collaboration. The Sapporo featured a distinct angular design with pop-up headlights, a feature that was popular on sporty cars of the era.
Inside, the car was notably plush for its segment, with standard features such as velour seating and air conditioning, aiming to provide a more luxurious experience than many other compact coupes. The Plymouth Sapporo was equipped with a range of 4-cylinder engines, the most common being a 2.6-liter inline-four. The car wasn’t particularly sporty in terms of raw performance, but it was designed to offer a comfortable and smooth ride, making it more of a personal luxury coupe than a sports car.
The Sapporo and its Dodge twin were part of a wave of Japanese-produced vehicles that American automakers were introducing in response to changing market demands in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The oil crisis and evolving consumer preferences were pushing buyers towards smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Sapporo was positioned as a more upscale alternative to many of the compact cars available at the time, bridging the gap between economy cars and more expensive luxury models. The Plymouth Sapporo was discontinued after the 1983 model year as Chrysler began to shift its strategy and lineup.
While the Sapporo is not as well remembered as some other vehicles from its era, it represents a period of significant transition and adaptation for American automakers. It stands as an example of the collaborative efforts between American and Japanese automakers during a transformative period in automotive history.
Plymouth Sapporo US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 1,406 |
| 1978 | 11,737 |
| 1979 | 12,322 |
| 1980 | 10,003 |
| 1981 | 13,326 |
| 1982 | 13,068 |
| 1983 | 10,766 |
| 1984 | 331 |
