Mitsubishi Statement Regarding Monitors' Report

    NORMAL, Ill., May 23 The following statement is for
attribution to Rich Gilligan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America (MMMA).  This is in
response to the final report by the Consent Decree Monitors filed today with
the U.S. District Court in Peoria regarding the 1998 Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) class action against MMMA.  (Gilligan joined
MMMA in December 1998.)

    "The Monitors' final report is concrete evidence of the progress that we
have made in solving the workplace environment issues this plant faced prior
to the settlement of the suit in 1998.  We're pleased that the report cites
our process for investigating accusations of sexual harassment as 'one of the
best and most elaborate in use by an American employer.'

    "While this is the conclusion of the Monitors' reporting process, it is by
no means a conclusion to our ongoing efforts to ensure that this plant
provides a world-class, quality work environment for all of our employees,
built on the core value of respect.

    "Today, the plant is in many ways a different place than it was three
years ago.  The Monitors note in the report that interviews with employees
revealed:

    -- In general, there is a significant "culture" change in the work
       environment.

    -- It is understood that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, and
       those who violate our Zero Tolerance Policy will be appropriately
       disciplined.

    -- Men -- and an even higher percentage of women -- say they like working
       at the plant, which is inconsistent with any notion of a hostile
       working environment toward women.

    "The report also states:

    -- We have been vigilant in protecting employees' rights to file
       complaints with our Opportunity Programs Department, which is dedicated
       to investigating work environment issues brought by our employees.

    -- The number of complaints filed is not an accurate benchmark of activity
       at the plant because employees have been encouraged to report any
       concern or question to the Opportunity Programs Department whether it
       rises to the level of a violation of Title VII or not.

    -- We have ongoing training programs, reminders from upper management and
       group leader discussions -- all focused on reinforcing the message that
       this plant will be a place where all employees are respected.

    "The report states that our Zero Tolerance Policy is much stricter than
the requirements of federal and state anti-discrimination statutes.  Our
senior management team is absolutely committed to that policy, and going above
and beyond in protecting employees from inappropriate behavior.

    "As the report concludes, we have made significant and sustainable
progress.  But we feel our work is not done.  We have a personal and corporate
commitment to continue building on our progress.  Our mission moving forward
is simple: We will not let our guard down.  This is a commitment we take
seriously."