---

April Marks Continued Sales Success For Mitsubishi Motors

5 May 1999

April Marks Continued Sales Success For Mitsubishi Motors

  Company's Turnaround Strategy Reaping Rewards With 23 Percent YTD Increase

    CYPRESS, Calif., May 4 -- Entering the month of May with five
months of consecutive sales increases behind the company, Mitsubishi Motor
Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) today announced a 23 percent increase in year-
to-date sales, along with the expectation of continuing its strong sales pace
for the rest of the year.  April '99 sales reached nearly 16,400 units,
showing a 21 percent increase over the same period last year, and a
year-to-date total of more than 70,000 units.
    According to Pierre Gagnon, executive vice president and chief operating
officer for MMSA, the company's strategy for creating enhanced brand awareness
is succeeding.  "The positioning of the newly designed '99 Galant, coupled
with a consistent brand image campaign, is bringing a new kind of customer
into our showrooms," said Gagnon.  "While the new Galant continues to sell in
strong numbers, it's also created an enormous opportunity to increase buyers
for the entry-level Mirage, which is a great product at a great value."
Combined year-to-date sales of Mirage 4-door and Mirage Coupe are up 77
percent.
    While seven of the last eight months have shown monthly sales increases
for MMSA, Gagnon believes the company's real strength is in its future.  With
the onset of the all-new 2000 Eclipse preparing to hit showrooms later this
summer and a significantly improved Montero Sport scheduled to launch at the
same time, both vehicles along with Galant, create a trio of core products
that consistently increase in popularity.  The current Montero Sport continues
to sell in record numbers for the company, with April sales reaching more than
4,000 units and marking a 30 percent year-to-date increase.
    Gagnon will be speaking later today at the monthly Motor Press Guild
reception in Southern California, where he will be sharing the successful
turnaround strategy Mitsubishi Motors has implemented and the aggressive
advertising campaign which has helped to move the company's most recognizable
products from individual successes into a more consistent awareness of the
brand.
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1982 by
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles,
including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles.

                               April '99        April '98        % Change
                               Month/YTD        Month/YTD        Month/YTD

    Passenger Car Sales*      12,046/53,987    9,927/44,424     +21%/+22%
    Sport Utility Vehicles**   4,324/16,574    3,572/12,767     +21%/+30%
    Total Vehicle Sales       16,370/70,561   13,499/57,191     +21%/+23%

    Note: U.S.-Assembled
     Vehicle Sales
     (Includes Eclipse/Eclipse
     Spyder/Galant)            8,931/33,113    7,209/29,973     +24%/+10%


    *  Above totals include sales of U.S.-assembled Mitsubishi Motors vehicles
    **  Includes Montero and Montero Sport