Mitsubishi Motors Reports May Sales

S.U.V. Sales Up 23.2 Percent

CYPRESS, Calif., June 3 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today reported May 2003 sales of 21,375 units, marking a 30.8 percent decline from May sales of 30,874 units in 2002. Sales of the company's expanding line of S.U.V.s grew 23.2 percent over May 2002 and are up 18.8 percent for the year. The Endeavor mid-sized S.U.V. hit the market in March and is gaining momentum as sales have increased every month since launch. For the year, total vehicle sales now tally 116,216 units.

"We are pleased with the momentum we are seeing with Endeavor and Outlander," said Greg O'Neill, President and COO, Sales Division, MMNA. "With a new Galant coming this fall and upgrades to our high-volume Lancer and Outlander models, we expect a strong second half of the year. We saw increased dealership activity near the last 10 days of May which is a strong indicator that consumers are out shopping and ready to buy."

In addition to Endeavor, Lancer Evolution and Galant, the company will add a new five-door sportwagon this year called Lancer Sportback, further expanding the company's product line. By the end of 2003 the company will have 11 distinct models addressing a broad range of consumer needs.

Lancer Evolution and Eclipse Spyder make their big screen debut this week in Universal Pictures' "2Fast, 2Furious," the sequel to the smash hit 2001 movie "The Fast and the Furious," scheduled for release on June 6, 2003. Mitsubishi commercials based on the movie have been running for several weeks while other co-branded promotional efforts are generating visibility for the Mitsubishi brand and the featured products.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all of the North American operations of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. As a single company consolidated on Jan. 1, 2003, MMNA and its subsidiaries manufacture, distribute, finance and market Mitsubishi brand coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of nearly 700 dealers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Mitsubishi Motors sold its first vehicle in the U.S. in 1981, and began building cars here in 1988 at its manufacturing facility in Normal, Ill. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672.