MURFREESBORO and FRANKLIN, Tenn., Aug. 27, 2025 – In a unique partnership, Murfreesboro-based City Auto Mitsubishi (City Auto) and Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today handed over the keys to two new Mitsubishi SUVs, one a 2024 Outlander Sport and one a 2024 Eclipse Cross, to Rutherford County Schools (RCS) in Tennessee. These two vehicles will be used in RCS’ in-school driver-training program, which offers a mix of classroom and in-car learning, all to help develop better, safer and more road-aware young drivers.
“From day one, when we opened the doors to City Auto Mitsubishi, we always said our commitment to our community was the reason we’re in business,” said Jordan Norton, general manager of City Auto Mitsubishi. “Today’s donation is a gift to the whole community, as these local roads are the ones our team’s families drive daily. We are so proud to be able to play a part in helping young drivers start their journey as safely and with as much training as possible with this donation.”
RCS is unique in that, while many school districts have been forced to cancel driver-education programs because of funding, RCS has found ways of continuing this vital and potentially life-saving program. The district has worked not only with local companies like City Auto and MMNA, but has also secured other corporate donations for nearly $60,000 that was used for behind-the-wheel simulators.
“Rutherford County Schools prioritizes creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while learning skills that will benefit them for a lifetime,” Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan said. “This partnership with City Auto and Mitsubishi Motors is a shining example of how community partners work together to support student learning with real-world application.
"Around the country, driver training programs have fallen by the wayside as a victim of ever-tightening budgets. At RCS, we have worked tirelessly to find a way to keep this critical program alive in our system, and it is through the incredible generosity of City Auto and Mitsubishi Motors’ CUV program, as well as others, that we’ve been able to keep this key aspect of our curriculum.”
The Community Utility Vehicle (CUV) program is a key component of MMNA's larger corporate social responsibility program, itself known as "Driving Confidence – Driving Community," which is based on the idea that a series of small, localized efforts can add up to a huge impact. Other CUV donations have been made to Nashville-area organizations Tucker’s House, Community Resource Center and Charis Health Center. Prior to the company’s relocation to Franklin, Tenn., the CUV program also partnered with Las Vegas-based Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, and Dallas-based Record the Journey.
“Since MMNA moved its national headquarters to Franklin in 2019, we have been committed to supporting our immediate community and the surrounding counties where our employee team lives,” said Katherine Knight, SVP, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, for MMNA. “When our partners at City Auto mentioned this program to us, we were immediately captured by the ability to make a difference with our Community Utility Vehicle program in Rutherford County Schools. We are excited to see these two Mitsubishi CUVs working hard to do just this.”