Mitsubishi Motors Reports March 2004 U.S. Sales
Galant Sales up 38 Percent Over Previous Year
CYPRESS, Calif., April 1 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today reported March 2004 U.S. sales of 20,416 units, a 2.8 percent decrease compared to sales in March 2003. However, the sale of 5,980 Galants represents a 38 percent increase compared to a year ago, and a 25 percent increase over last month.
"Sales were steady overall from February to March, but we're pleased to see Galant gaining some ground. That growth should translate to momentum as we increase our marketing support for core vehicles like Galant and Endeavor," said Michael M. Tocci, senior vice president, sales, distribution and fleet, MMNA Sales Division. "We've assembled the best Mitsubishi product line in company history and added a new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty that covers all 2004 models."
Consumer interest in the redesigned Galant has been spurred by a national marketing campaign comparing the Galant GTS V6 against a similarly equipped Toyota Camry XLE V6 and Honda Accord EX V6. In a series of independent tests by AMCI, the Galant placed first in five out of nine evaluations that tested vehicle attributes such as acceleration, braking and handling and tied for first in two other categories. Results of those tests are available at www.seewhathappens.com . Additionally, Mitsubishi recently launched a series of creative regional television spots in support of the Galant.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of nearly 700 dealers throughout North America. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit http://media.mitsubishicars.com/ .
Following is the sales breakdown for March 2004:
2004 2003 2004
MAR CYTD MAR CYTD MAR CYTD
ECLIPSE COUPE 1,276 4,321 2,342 6,140 -45.5% -29.6%
ECLIPSE SPYDER 1,391 3,782 1,126 2,919 23.5% 29.6%
LANCER 4,726 12,928 5,314 14,599 -11.1% -11.4%
LANCER EVOLUTION 460 1,211 556 580 -17.3% 108.8%
LANCER SPORTBACK 145 328 -- -- 0.0% 0.0%
MIRAGE COUPE -- -- 6 169 -100.0% -100.0%
MIRAGE SEDAN -- -- -- -- 0.0% 0.0%
GALANT 5,980 14,528 4,342 19,352 37.7% -24.9%
DIAMANTE 841 2,105 876 3,652 -4.0% -42.4%
TOTAL CAR 14,819 39,203 14,562 47,411 1.8% -17.3%
OUTLANDER 1,997 5,886 3,406 11,038 -41.4% -46.7%
MONTERO SPORT 507 2,292 2,387 8,545 -78.8% -73.2%
ENDEAVOR 2,281 7,362 235 235 870.6% 3032.8%
MONTERO 812 2,118 410 2,850 98.0% -25.7%
TOTAL SUV 5,597 17,658 6,438 22,668 -13.1% -22.1%
TOTAL 20,416 56,861 21,000 70,079 -2.8% -18.9%
US Assembled
Cars: (1) 8,647 22,631 7,810 28,411 10.7% -20.3%
Imported
Cars: (2) 6,172 16,572 6,752 19,000 -8.6% -12.8%
US Assem.
Truck/SUV: (3) 2,281 7,362 235 235 870.6% 3032.8%
Imported
Truck/SUVs: (4) 3,316 10,296 6,203 22,433 -46.5% -54.1%
US Assembled
Vehicles: 10,928 29,993 8,045 28,646 35.8% 4.7%
Imported
Vehicles: 9,488 26,868 12,955 41,433 -26.8% -35.2%
(1) Galant, Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder
(2) Lancer, Lancer Sportback, Lancer Evolution, Diamante, Mirage Coupe,
Mirage Sedan
(3) Endeavor
(4) Montero, Montero Sport, Outlander
Selling Days MTD YTD
March 2004 26 76
March 2003 26 75
