Mitsubishi Motors Announces Production, Sales and Export Figures for September 2007 and First Half of Fiscal 2007

Tokyo, Japan, Oct 29, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for September 2007 and for the first half of fiscal 2007.

September 2007

Total global production came in at 124,145 units, an increase of 16.4 percent over September 2006 and marking the seventh consecutive monthly increase since March this year. Production volume in Japan increased 20.9 percent to 75,934 units, the twelfth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. This growth was driven by increased output of the new Lancer for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets and of the new Outlander for the U.S., European and Chinese markets.

Vehicle sales in Japan in September totaled 22,515 units, an 18.9 percent decrease year-on-year and the first downturn since July. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 17,160 units and commercial vehicle sales of 5,355 units were 17.3 percent and 23.9 percent down respectively on the same month last year.

Overseas production volume totaled 48,211 units, 9.9 percent up over September last year. In Europe production came in at 5,651 units or 24.8 percent down on last year's figure. In North America production at 5,339 units was 35.0 percent down on last year. In Asia production at 31,961 units was 29.1 percent up on September 2006 driven by a 28.0 percent increase in export shipments of the L200 pick-up truck from Thailand and an overall 24.6 percent increase in output at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand.

Total exports from Japan of 56,448 units were 45.9 percent up on September 2006, marking the eleventh consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record mark for September since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports to Europe rose to 27,709 units, a very substantial 171.0 percent increase on the back of buoyant sales in Russia, the Ukraine and central Europe. Exports to Asia fell to 2,641 units, a 14.4 percent decrease over the same period last year. Exports to North America of 4,823 units were 22.4 percent down on September 2006.

April - September 2007

In the first half of fiscal 2007, global production totaled 679,260 units, 10.3 percent up on the same period in fiscal 2006. This marks the first time first-half production volume has risen over that of the previous year since fiscal 2002. Total vehicle production in Japan came to 391,888 units, a 15.2 percent increase year-on-year. This marks the highest production level since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003 and was also the third consecutive increase in first half production volume since fiscal 2005. Passenger car and commercial vehicle production were 22.1 percent up and 22.3 percent down respectively. First half production volume of the Lancer rose by 20.2 percent to 137,450 units, driven by strong sales in Russia, North America and the Middle East and Africa, and of the Outlander rose by 497.3 percent to 73,810 units to meet strong growth in demand in North America, Europe and China.

Total vehicle sales in Japan in the first half totaled 100,723 units, a decrease of 11.9 percent over the same period last year and marked the first year-on-year decline in first half sales since 2004. Registered vehicle sales volume rose 13.2 percent to 36,959 units while minicar sales slipped 21.9 percent to 63,764 units.

Overseas production volume rose to 287,372 units, 4.2 percent up on the same period last fiscal year. Production in Europe for the first half came in at 32,151 units, a 30.3 percent decrease on the same period last year. Production in North America decreased 16.7% percent to 38,555 units. Production in Asia rose to 190,123 units, a 16.9 percent increase over the same period last year, driven mainly by higher exports of the L200 pick-up truck from Thailand.

Export shipments from Japan totaled 282,081 units, a substantial rise of 47.5 percent over first half of fiscal 2006. Exports to Europe jumped 102.9 percent to 120,617 units on the back of firm sales throughout Europe and very buoyant growth in Russia, the Ukraine and central Europe. Shipments to North America of 23,744 units were 15.1 percent down year-on-year. Exports to Asia of 18,125 units were 21.7 percent up on the same period last year boosted by firm sales of the new Outlander in China.

Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation was established in 1970 and is one of the few automobile companies in the world that produces a full line of automotive products ranging from 660-cc mini cars and passenger cars to commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The company also operates consumer financing services and provides this to its customer base. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com .