Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc.’s Lancer Evolution—the performance version of its long-standing middle-market sedan—is going out in style. The Cypress-based automaker is offering 1,600 numbered final-edition models of the sporty entry with dark chrome alloy wheels, black aluminum roofs, and “5-speed transmission paired with a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder 2.0L engine, producing 303 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 305 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.”
“With its incredible combination of power, agility and super all-wheel control, the Lancer Evolution is one of the most well-known sports sedans and is revered by ‘gearheads’ around the globe,” Don Swearingen, Mitsubishi’s executive vice president, said in a statement. “The final edition model pays homage to Evo’s remarkable place in automotive history and takes it one step further as the most powerful mass-production Lancer Evolution ever built.”
The automaker sold 7,556 vehicles in September, up 35.9% from same period last year.
Its year-to-date sales total 73,257, a 25.5% uptick.
Licensing News
Irvine-based La Jolla Group LLC, which has the license to make clothes and accessories under the O’Neill, Metal Mulisha and FMF Racing brands, took an equity stake in Spiritual Gangster, a “yoga-inspired” apparel company in Scottsdale. La Jolla plans to run the brand’s back-office operations, including IT support, logistics and distribution.
Meanwhile, the Lost Enterprises label, which severed its licensing ties with La Jolla in 2011, signed a deal with an investment group led by Chino-based Nick Agakanian. Lost said it plans to continue to design, merchandise, market and sell the brand out of its Irvine offices. Manufacturing, sourcing and financing will come from the new partner. The licensing agreement “covers apparel, accessories, and skateboards, in all domestic and select global territories.”
“In today’s market it is difficult to compete with large brands without having comparable financial capabilities,” Joel Cooper, Lost’s chief executive, said in a statement. “This deal provides us with the resources to do just that.”
The newly formed entity, called Lost Holdings, will provide for a “fresh capital injection” and give the brand the “ability to capitalize on the success of our women’s line, ‘Sea Gypsies,’ and expand to grow our distribution in the core stores we currently serve,” said Mike Reola, who co-founded the company in 1985 with Matt Biolos.
Live the Look
South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa joined with the Hollywood Reporter to put on the Live the Look fashion show Oct. 8.
The event featured fall designs from tenants Barbara Bui, Brunello Cucinelli, Charlotte Olympia, Fendi, Lanvin, Max Mara, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo and Valentino.
Rachel Zoe, stylist and nighttime talk TV show host, was on hand to introduce the brands.
“Live the Look is a unique opportunity for us to showcase the best of fall fashion from our luxury and designer boutiques,” said South Coast Plaza spokesperson Debra Gunn-Downing. “It’s rare to find all of these brands together on one runway, with no less than Rachel Zoe highlighting the must-have trends.”
Game Link
Fountain Valley-based D-Link Systems Inc. showed its support to the “burgeoning world of eSports” by sponsoring a fighting game tournament Oct. 9 through 11 at the Ontario Convention Center.
The Southern California Regionals featured 17 competitions, for which D-Link provided computer networking infrastructure, including enterprise switches and Ultra Wi-Fi routers.
“It’s very exciting to see a company so essential to many homes and businesses proactively integrate themselves into the gaming world,” said Jimmy Nguyen, chief executive officer of Westminster-based Level Up LLC, an event and broadcast company that produced the event.
D-Link, a manufacturer of Wi-Fi smart sensors and smart plugs, among other tech products, is the North American unit of Taiwan-based D-Link Corp. The parent generates about $1 billion in annual sales but doesn’t break down revenue for its regional operations.
