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Mitsubishi Says Japan Recalls Have Minimal Impact On U.S.

23 August 2000

    CYPRESS, Calif. - The recent problems acknowledged by Mitsubishi Motors 
Corporation (MMC) in Japan today surrounding product recalls have minimal impact 
on Mitsubishi's U.S. operations or the vehicles that it sells.

    "The recall procedures we implement in the United States are entirely
different than those conducted in Japan," said Pierre Gagnon, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America,
Inc. (MMSA).  "We maintain a close relationship with the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and are diligent in tracking all
customer complaints and product safety and quality concerns in our efforts to
issue product recalls whenever those are required."

    As a result of the announcement made in Japan today by MMC, MMSA will
initiate a recall of approximately 10,000 1994 and 1995 Galant sedans -- built
in Japan and exported to the U.S. -- to inspect for a crack in the upper
portion of the fuel tank.  This recall only applies to Japanese-built vehicles
and does not apply to Galants built in the United States at Mitsubishi Motor
Manufacturing of America, Inc. (MMMA).  The 10,000 Galants affected by this
recall are the only Galants sold in the United States since late 1993 that
were built in Japan.

    References have also been made to a possible recall of 1995 through 1997
model year Mirages related to a crankshaft pulley bolt which might fail.
Although MMSA has received less than 10 customer complaints related to this
part and does not believe there are safety issues involved, the company has
nevertheless contacted NHTSA to meet with the federal agency to implement the
appropriate remedial action.

    "Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America takes the safety and satisfaction of
its consumers very seriously," said Gagnon.  "Although very few of the
vehicles we've sold in the U.S. are affected by the announcements made
recently in Japan, we stand ready to take whatever action is required to
fulfill the expectations of our customers."