Mitsubishi Motors Announces Production, Sales and Export Figures for September 2009 and for First Half of Fiscal 2009

CIRENCESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – October 29, 2009: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for September 2009 and for the first half of fiscal 2009.

September 2009
Production: total and in Japan
Total global production for September came in at 87,255 units, a decline of 29.4 percent year-on-year and the fourteenth consecutive monthly decrease since August 2008. Production volume in Japan at 49,845 units was 42.2 percent down, the eleventh consecutive decline, with a 48.5 percent fall in passenger car output more than countering a 32.8 percent increase in commercial vehicle output.

Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in September totalled 18,813 units, 3.4 percent up on the same month last year and the second consecutive monthly increase. Sales of passenger cars at 14,703 units were 4.4 percent up while sales of commercial vehicles at 4,110 units were 0.1 percent up year-on-year. Registered vehicle sales volume at 7,022 units was 23.8 percent up from the same month last year, with 115.3 percent and 44.4 percent increases respectively in year-on-year sales of Colt and Colt Plus models. City Car sales volume at 11,791 units was 5.8 percent down despite a good showing by the new Toppo.

Production overseas
Overseas production volume totalled 37,410 units, 0.3 percent up over September last year and the first year-on-year increase in 19 months. By region, output in North America at 2,591 units was 50.6 percent down. In Europe, output at 3,321 units was 5.9 percent down. In Asia, output at 27, 673 units was 17.0 percent up helped by 56.1 percent and 429.3 percent increases respectively at China Motor Corp. in Taiwan and South East (Fujian) Motor in China.

Export shipments from Japan
Total exports from Japan of 29,490 units were 43.0 percent down in September 2009 and marked the eleventh consecutive year-on-year decrease. Exports to Asia at 4,603 units were 72.1 percent up year-on-year. Exports to Europe at 6,033 units were 72.4 percent down year-on-year due mainly to very slow sales in Russia. Export shipments to North America at 5,613 units rose by 48.8 percent over the same month last year.

April - September 2009
Production: total and Japan
The first six months of fiscal 2009 ending September 30 saw total global production of 362,701 units, 43.7 percent down on the same period in 2008 and the second consecutive decrease in half-year output. Production in Japan totalled 198,996 units, a 52.6 percent year-on-year decrease and the first since 1H fiscal 2005.

Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in the Japanese market for the six month period from April to September totalled 76,447 units, 8.2 percent down over last year and the third consecutive half-year decline. Passenger car sales of 56,201 units and commercial vehicle sales of 20,246 units were 8.4 percent and 7.6 percent down respectively year-on-year. Registered vehicle sales at 27,896 units were just 1.6 percent down year-on-year despite 50.5 percent and 29.9 percent increases respectively in sales of Colt and Colt Plus models. City Car volume was 11.6 percent down year-on-year.

Production overseas
Overseas production volume for 1H fiscal 2009 totalled 163,705 units, 27.0 percent down over the same period last year and the second consecutive half-year decline. By region, output in Asia at 114,801 units was 23.6 percent down as 17.8 percent and 174.4 percent increases in production respectively at China Motor Corporation in Taiwan and South East (Fujian) Motor in China were insufficient to counter sharp decreases in other parts of the region. Output in North America at 7,258 units was 73.9 percent down over the same half year period last year, reflecting a three-month halt in production activities for inventory reduction purposes. Output in Europe at 22,942 units was 4.4 percent up year-on-year, the increase being driven chiefly by strong sales of the Colt in Germany.

Export shipments from Japan
Total export shipments from Japan at 99,186 units were 66.8 percent down over the same period last year, marking the first drop in six half-year terms since 1H 2003. Shipments to Asia at 16,155 units were 23.6 percent down year-on-year. Exports to North America at 20,710 units were 21.7 percent down year-on-year. Shipments to Europe at 17,453 units were 87.1 percent down year-on-year, chiefly due to poor sales in Russia and the Ukraine.