Mitsubishi Motors Off to a Strong Start in 2001 With 15.2% Increase in January Sales

               Momentum Carries Over From Record Breaking Year
                        To Yield January Sales Success

    CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 1 Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America,
Inc. (MMSA) is off to a strong start in 2001 with brisk sales of cars and SUVs
in January.  Fueled by the popularity of the Montero luxury SUV and the
Eclipse Spyder convertible, MMSA's January 2001 sales totaled 21,649 units,
marking a 15.2% increase over January 2000.  This increase follows a
record-breaking year with best-ever total year sales of 314,417 vehicles in
2000.

    Product sales numbers of note:
    -- January 2001 TOTAL sales equal 21,649 units, up 15.2 % over January
       2000
    -- January sales total represents the second-best January ever in
       Mitsubishi's 19-year history
    -- January total for SUV sales equal 5,898 units, up 28.1% over January
       2000
    -- January total for Car sales equal 15,751 units, up 11.1% over January
       2000
    -- January total for Eclipse Spyder sales equal 1,332 units, up 2,734%
       over January 2000
    -- January total for Montero sales equal 1,645 units, up 330.6% over
       January 2000
    -- January total for Diamante sales equal 1,204 units, up 110.1% over
       January 2000

    "We're off to a great start despite a softening in the U.S. economy," said
Pierre Gagnon, executive vice president and chief operating officer,
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America.  "Consumer confidence remains strong in
Mitsubishi products."
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1982 by
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles,
including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles.  Its
website can be accessed at http://www.mitsubishicars.com.


     Sales Results, JANUARY 2001: Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.


                                January '01     January '00      % Change
                                  Month/YTD       Month/YTD     Month/YTD
    Passenger Car Sales*
                              15,751/15,751   14,181/14,181   11.1%/11.1%
    Sport Utility Vehicles**
                                5,898/5,898     4,606/4,606   28.1%/28.1%
    Total Vehicle Sales
                              21,649/21,649   18,787/18,787   15.2%/15.2%
    US Assembled Cars:        11,335/11,335     9,899/9,899   14.5%/14.5%
    Imported Cars:              4,416/4,416     4,282/4,282     3.1%/3.1%
    Imported Truck/SUVs:        5,898/5,898     4,606/4,606   28.1%/28.1%
    US Assembled
     Vehicles (1):            11,335/11,335     9,899/9,899   14.5%/14.5%
    Imported Vehicles (2):    10,314/10,314     8,888/8,888   16.0%/16.0%

    *    Above totals include sales of US assembled Mitsubishi Motors vehicles
    **   Includes Montero Sport and Montero
    ***  DSR - Daily Selling Rate
    (1)  Galant, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder
    (2)  Mirage, Diamante, 3000GT, Montero Sport and Montero