What is DSM? What does it stand for?, Which cars are “DSM”? A lot of people think that all Mitsubishi’s are DSM, Well they are sadly mistaken. In 1989 Mitsubishi merged with Chrysler and they had a separate building. Together they were named Diamond Star Motors, which came from the Mitsubishi three diamonds and Chryslers pentastar.
During this merge of companies they produced 3 different cars, The Plymouth Laser, The Eagle Talon, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Plymouth Laser was released in 1989 as a 1990 model, which had three different models. The base model, RS model, the RS Turbo model, and the RS Turbo AWD model. The plymouth lasers production was halted in 1994.
In 1990 they came out with the Eagle Talon. This batch from 1989 thru 1991 was named “1ga” or first set of first generation DSM’s. The “1ga” Talons looked pretty much the same as the Plymouth Laser. They featured pop-up style headlights along with a “6-bolt” engine, meaning the flywheel has 6 bolts. From 92 thru 94 were called the “1gb” or second set of first generation DSM’s, they featured non pop-up composite style headlights.
From 1995 thru 1999 were called “2g’s” or the second generation DSM’s. The 95 and 96 being named “2ga” or the first set of second generation DSM’s. In 95 and 96 they got a redesign. the “2ga” got a round body and a “smiley face” bumper. From 97 to 99 were the “2gb” or second set of second generation DSM’s. They featured a more aggressive front bumper, sharper headlights and a different style of side skirts.
After 1999 Chrysler and Mitsubishi split and they no longer made the Talon or any All Wheel Drive (AWD) or Turbo Eclipse. While they were merged however Mitsubishi still produced other cars during the this 10 year time frame, but they did so out of there regular facility and sense were not “DSM” because they were not made in the same building as the merged Mitsubishi and Chrysler company.
