Jackie Chan and Mitsubishi: How Kung Fu Met Horsepower to Shape Automotive Influence

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Before social media influencers turned car promotions into an art form, martial arts legend Jackie Chan was already a trendsetter. This multitalented Hong Kong superstar wasn't just acing kicks and stunts; he was driving Mitsubishi into the spotlight, long before automotive influencing became a "thing."

Far removed from the contemporary auto aficionados like Jay Leno or David Letterman, Jackie Chan's alliance with Mitsubishi wasn't mere celebrity endorsement—it was symbiotic. During the late 1970s, when Chan’s star was ascending through films like Drunken Master, Mitsubishi saw an opportunity for mutual growth. They offered him not just financial backing for his movies but also an almost endless line-up of vehicles for his films. The result? A marketing coup that catapulted both the actor and the car brand into an unparalleled realm of Asian recognition.