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Mitsubishi Motors Becomes Fastest-Growing Japanese Automotive Brand in U.S.

4 January 2000

Automaker Reports 1999 Sales Are Best in Its History

    CYPRESS, Calif. -- Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. announced that 
1999 year-to-date sales made it the fastest-growing Japanese automotive 
brand sold in the U.S.  Year-to-date sales of 261,254 units shattered all 
previous year records, while December 1999 sales of 27,295 (a 79.7% increase 
from 1998) was the automaker's best December ever.

    Other figures to note:

    -- In total 1999 volume, MMSA sales grew at a 37% rate
    -- MMSA reported sales of its highest volume vehicle, Galant mid-size
       sedan, at 74,782 units, an increase of 69% above 1998 for its best-ever
       calendar year performance
    -- Restyled for 2000, the Montero Sport mid-size SUV has shown a 53.5%
       rise in sales over 1998 with 59,007 units sold, also a best-ever
       calendar year sales performance
    -- Eclipse sport coupe sold 5,253 units in December, and is now selling at
       nearly twice the rate of the previous model since its introduction as a
       completely redesigned vehicle
    -- 2000 sales momentum is expected to continue with new product
       introductions next week at the North American International Auto Show
       in Detroit, including the redesigned 2001 Montero luxury sport utility
       vehicle and 2001 Eclipse Spyder convertible

    "1999 was a remarkable year for Mitsubishi Motors," said Pierre Gagnon,
MMSA's executive vice president and chief operating officer.  "Right now it's
a very competitive market, and it takes something special to surpass the auto
industry's growth rate as convincingly as we have.  American consumers have
become more familiar with our brand, and our products exceed their
expectations.  That's a great recipe for success, and I'm very confident that
our momentum will continue in 2000."

    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.  

    Sales Results, December 1999: Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.

                                    Dec. '99        Dec. '98       % Change
                                   Month/YTD       Month/YTD      Month/YTD
    Passenger Car Sales *      17,786/197,132  10,361/147,956    71.7%/33.2%

    Sport Utility Vehicles **    9,509/64,122    4,829/42,559    96.9%/50.7%

    Total Vehicle Sales        27,295/261,254  15,190/190,515    79.7%/37.1%

    US Assembled Cars:         12,888/136,656   7,359/102,157    75.1%/33.8%
    Imported Assembled Cars:     4,898/60,476    3,002/45,799    63.2%/32.0%
    Imported Truck/SUVs:         9,509/64,122    4,829/42,559    96.9%/50.7%
    US Assembled Vehicles (1): 12,888/136,656   7,359/102,157    75.1%/33.8%
    Imported Vehicles (2):     14,407/124,598    7,831/88,358    84.0%/41.0%

         *  Above totals include sales of U.S.-assembled Mitsubishi Motors
            vehicles
         ** Includes Montero Sport and Montero
        (1) Galant, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder
        (2) Mirage, Diamante, 3000GT, Montero Sport and Montero