Mitsubishi Motors Reports Best February in History Signals Strong Outlook for 2002
CYPRESS, Calif., March 1 -- Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) today reported February sales of 31,802 units, marking the best February in company history and a 31 percent gain over February sales in 2001. The record February marked Mitsubishi Motors' fifth consecutive month of year-over-year monthly sales increases and year-to-date the company is off to its best start in history.
``We're on a roll and our brand is really striking a chord with youthful-minded consumers,'' said MMSA President and COO Pierre Gagnon. ``Since the launch of Lancer, all of our products have seen a lift and we expect that to continue with our next product introduction.''
Gagnon pointed to this month's unveiling of an all-new entry-level urban sport-utility vehicle at the New York International Auto Show as further evidence that Mitsubishi's sales growth is expected to continue.
``The addition of an all-new Mitsubishi in the red-hot entry-level SUV market will help drive sales and capture additional market share,'' Gagnon said.
Following its debut in New York, the all-new SUV will arrive in dealer showrooms this summer. Gagnon also noted that a retooled version of Mitsubishi's flagship full-sized SUV will support sales at the other end of the SUV market.
``For 2003, styling and performance enhancements will make the Montero even
more popular than it was last year,'' added Gagnon.
Montero set an all-time
sales record in 2001, selling 24,802 units.
The 2003 Montero will debut at
the upcoming New York International Auto Show.
Some figures of note for MMSA's February 2002 sales:
-- February 2002 sales of 31,802 vehicles, up 30.7 percent over last
year's February sales of 24,331 vehicles
-- Galant had its best February ever with 10,187 units sold, up
37.7 percent over February 2001
-- Eclipse Spyder had its best February ever with 1,848 units sold, up
32.1 percent over February 2001
-- Eclipse had its second-best February ever with 5,859 units sold, up
60.5 percent over February 2001
-- Montero Sport had its second-best February ever with 5,185 units sold,
up 0.3 percent over February 2001
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1981 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 www.mitsubishicars.com .
Sales Results, February 2002: Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.
February '02 February '01 % Change % DSR Change
Month/YTD Month/YTD Month/YTD Month/YTD
Passenger Car Sales* 24,966/ 17,134/ 45.7%/ 45.7%/
45,481 32,885 38.3% 38.3%
Sport Utility
Vehicles** 6,836/ 7,197/ -5.0%/ -5.0%/
12,390 13,095 -5.4% -5.4%
Total Vehicle Sales 31,802/ 24,331/ 30.7%/ 30.7%/
57,871 45,980 25.9% 25.9%
US Assembled Cars: 17,894/ 12,447/ 43.8%/ 43.8%/
31,116 23,782 30.8% 30.8%
Imported Cars: 7,072/ 4,687/ 50.9%/ 50.9%/
14,365 9,103 57.8% 57.8%
Imported Truck/SUVs: 6,836/ 7,197/ -5.0%/ -5.0%/
12,390 13,095 -5.4% -5.4%
US Assembled
Vehicles(1): 17,894/ 12,447/ 43.8%/ 43.8%/
31,116 23,782 30.8% 30.8%
Imported Vehicles(2): 13,908/ 11,884/ 17.0%/ 17.0%/
26,755 22,198 20.5% 20.5%
DSR - Daily Selling Rate
Selling Days MTD YTD
February 2002 24 49
February 2001 24 49
* Above totals include sales of US assembled Mitsubishi Motors
vehicles
** Includes Montero Sport and Montero
(1) Galant, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder
(2) Lancer, Mirage, Diamante, 3000GT, Montero Sport and Montero