John McElroy Appointed as General Counsel for Mitsubishi Motors North America; Curt Neal Promoted to Head Human Resources

CYPRESS, Calif., May 26, 2005 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced the appointment of John McElroy to general counsel, and the promotion of Curt Neal to senior vice president of human resources. McElroy had served as senior vice president, human resources and corporate services for MMNA since 2002. As general counsel to MMNA, McElroy will oversee all corporate legal matters. Curt Neal, who had served as vice president human resources for Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing of America in Normal, Ill. since 1999, will be responsible for all aspects of human resources and corporate services in his new position at MMNA Sales Division.

"After 15 years in our human resources department we are thrilled to have someone of John McElroy's caliber and talent assuming our top legal position," said Rich Gilligan, president and CEO of MMNA. "Additionally, Curt Neal's wealth of human resources experience with us at the plant and previously with Ford makes him the perfect successor to John."

Prior to his post of senior vice president of human resources and corporate services, McElroy served in MMNA's Sales Division in several capacities, including vice president of franchise development, dealer relations and real estate. McElroy joined MMNA in 1985 as an attorney in the company's legal department, becoming manager of human resources in 1990 and director of human resources in April 1993. In August 1995, McElroy assumed responsibility for administration as well. He was promoted to vice president of human resources, information systems and administration in 1997.

McElroy holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, and earned his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the California Bar Association.

Prior to serving as vice president of human resources for Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing, Neal worked in the human resources department at Ford Motor Company for 32 years, where he served in various human resource functions at the plant, division and headquarter levels. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Neal received his bachelor's degree in economics and master's degree in business administration from Georgia State University.

Mike Guttas, presently general manager of human resources at Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing, will replace Curt Neal at the plant as vice president, human resources.

Prior to serving as general manager of human resources, Guttas worked for 10 years at Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing in various human resource areas, including personnel administration, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and safety and security. Before that position, he worked for the Illinois Department of Human Rights for six years. Guttas received a bachelor's degree in political science from Illinois State University.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States and Canada. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 625 dealers.