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Mitsubishi Motors Honored as an Information Technology Innovator

20 September 2000

Mitsubishi Motors Honored as an Information Technology Innovator By Information Week

          Automaker Cited for Leading Role in Internet Business Use

    CYPRESS, Calif., Sept. 20 In recognition of its
outstanding use of business technology systems, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of
America, Inc. (MMSA) has been named one of 500 leading business users of
technology by Information Week.  The Company jumped from last year's
188 ranking to 64 on the list.
    The InformationWeek 500 measures the innovative ways in which companies
utilize technology to gain a business advantage.
    "We are honored that MMSA has been recognized for such an outstanding
achievement as a technology innovator," said Tony Romero, vice president,
information systems for Mitsubishi Motors.  "We have made a commitment to
integrate technology in all facets of our business and this award shows us we
are on the right track."
    Regarded as the industry's annual report card, the InformationWeek 500
ranking is the only one of its kind based on both the size and complexity of
installed information technologies, as well as on the tangible business
benefits created by technology.
    According to Greg O'Neill, senior vice president and general manager for
MMSA, the increase in the use of technology has had a profound effect on the
company's communication with its dealer network.
    "Effective communication with our more than 500 retail partners is
critical to our growth and success as a manufacturer in the fast-paced
automotive industry," said O'Neill.  "Using our web-based communication to
dealers, the Extranet, allows us to be connected with them at all times and
provide them with the tools and information they need to be successful."
    Information Week awarded MMSA a gold medal, for its early adoption and
creative use of technologies and business practices in four categories:
Technology Strategy, E-business Strategy, Business Practices and Customer
knowledge.  Other companies were awarded gold, bronze or silver medals.
    The criterion used in the selection process is determined by Information
Week editors.  To make the list, a company must demonstrate a pattern of
technological, procedural and organizational innovation.  Only companies with
at least $1 billion in annual revenue may participate.
    Greg Stahl, director of customer relations and retail development for
Mitsubishi Motors credits several initiatives and key partnerships for helping
the company acquire such technological innovations including
Order-to-Delivery, where MMSA partnered with Manugistics; the Customer Centric
Database, a partnership with Epiphany; Call Center Technology supplied by
Siebel and; Data Mining through Business Objects and Informatica.
    Stahl added, "Our key goal at MMSA is turning data into information for
knowledge, so that we can meet our customers' needs, while promoting dealer
sales and profitability."