---

Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero Production Reaches 1.5 Million, Boasts World Endurance Victories

28 July 1997

Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero Global Production Reaches 1.5 Million Units; Luxury Sport Utility Boasts Record of World Endurance Victories

    CYPRESS, Calif., July 28 -- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
(MMC) has announced that production of its Pajero, sold in the United States
as the Montero luxury sport utility vehicle, has surpassed the one-and-a-half
million unit mark.
    "Since the production of its first 4-wheel drive vehicle 60 years ago,
Mitsubishi Motors has always been a leader in the sport utility vehicle
market," said Kevin Ormes, group vice president of sales and marketing for
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA).  "The fact that the
Montero/Pajero is sold in 170 countries around the globe is testimony that the
vehicle has reached success on a global scale."
    Along with a solid worldwide sales performance, the Montero/Pajero also
swept the 1997 Dakar-Agades-Dakar Rally in South Africa earlier this year with
an unprecedented first, second and third place finish.  The Rally, an annual
5,000 mile event, is considered to be one of the most grueling off-road racing
events in the world and demands superior durability of the vehicles that
undertake the challenge.
    The Pajero was introduced in Japan in April 1982 and U.S. sales of the
Montero began with the 1983 model year.  Total Montero/Pajero sales to date
include 510,000 vehicles sold in Japan and 990,000 in other countries
worldwide, including the United States. The current generation Montero/Pajero
was introduced in 1992.
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., was established in 1982 by
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of subcompact
coupes and sedans, mid-size sedans, sports coupes and convertibles, grand
touring sports cars, luxury performance sedans and sport utility vehicles.

SOURCE  Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.