Mitsubishi Motors North America Invites Car Enthusiasts to First-Ever Mitsubishi Owners Day at Illinois Plant

FACTORY MOD'05 showcases new, classic and never-before-seen customized Mitsubishi vehicles with owners, designers

NORMAL, Ill., Oct. 14 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is driven to thrill like never before, announcing its first-ever Factory Mitsubishi Owners Day on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the company's Normal, Ill., manufacturing facility. The event, which is free and open to the public, welcomes "home" any current owner of a Mitsubishi vehicle, including many unique, customized Mitsubishi automobiles and their owners.

Known as FACTORY MOD'05, the outdoor event is expected to draw hundreds of Mitsubishi owners from throughout the Midwest who will display their vehicles. Visitors can roam freely to capture the excitement of new Mitsubishi models that will also be on the grounds, including the fourth-generation, all-new 2006 Eclipse; the just-launched Raider pickup truck; and a number of Mitsubishi concept vehicles appearing for the first time in Central Illinois.

In addition, Mitsubishi's "Raider Tailgate Tour" will feature a unique tailgate party with a J. Cool twist. MOD'05 attendees will be entertained by Japanese-style Taiko drummers as seen in the new "Driven to Thrill" television advertisements, playing from the beds of Raider trucks.

"It's a great time to be in the automobile business, and we want to share the excitement with our loyal Mitsubishi customers, as well as others who want to check out the cool vehicles we'll have on display at MOD '05," said Jerry Berwanger, MMNA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Manufacturing Division.

"We have heard from hundreds of Mitsubishi owners who want to make the drive to Normal to show their vehicles, coming from all points of the compass," Berwanger added. "It's a great opportunity for the public to get up-close and personal with these uniquely customized Mitsubishi vehicles and their owners, who share a special pride of ownership."

That pride in Mitsubishi ownership is also reflected in recent retail sales for September, including the Normal-built 2006 Eclipse. The all-new Eclipse had its best sales month so far this year, up 193 percent from September 2004 and 7 percent from last month. The Endeavor also fared well in September, with sales up 29 percent from last September and 17 percent from last month.

In addition, Mitsubishi's new Gas Comes Standard program has been so well received by customers that the program is being extended to select 2006 models, including the Normal-built Galant and Endeavor.

Along with a variety of performance parts suppliers, on-site food vendors, music, and special giveaways, tours of the MMNA plant will be offered during the event, which is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is free at the MMNA plant site, located at 100 North Mitsubishi Motorway in Normal, Ill., just a few minutes west of the Market Street/Route 9 Exit #160 off Interstate 55, and just south of Exit #125 from Interstate 74.

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. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 570 dealers.