TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Friday it will revive its flagship Pajero sport utility vehicle in Japan for the first time in seven years, with a plan to unveil the new model this fall.

The move comes amid calls from many enthusiasts for the vehicle's return after production of the model in Japan ended in 2019 due to sluggish sales.

Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato told a press conference that the company plans to expand the series lineup by adding two smaller models, saying, "I hope (the strategy) will draw newly interested customers." Details, including the launch date and pricing, will be announced later.

The new model will be produced at a plant in Thailand and sold there and in Japan, with the automaker saying it is also considering sales in other countries.

The Pajero was launched in 1982 and helped drive the recreational vehicle boom of the 1990s. More than 3.25 million units were sold in over 170 countries and regions across its four generations, the automaker said.

The model excelled in the Dakar Rally, a motorsport competition, becoming a symbol of Mitsubishi Motors, but its sales later declined amid increased competition from rival SUVs.