Mitsubishi Motors announces production, sales and export figures for June 2008 and first six months of calendar 2008

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TOKYO, July 29, 2008 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation(MMC) today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for June 2008 and the first six months of calendar 2008.



June 2008
Production: total and in Japan
Total global production came in at 108,603 units, a decline of 7.4 percent over June last year and marking the fourth consecutive monthly decrease. Production volume in Japan at 70,747 units was up 5.1 percent, the 21st consecutive month of year-on-year growth and marking a new record for June since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven principally by a 37.5 percent increase in output (15,587 units) of the new Outlander which continues to sell briskly in European and Chinese markets.

Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in June totaled 15,705 units, a 12.3 percent decrease year-on-year and the 10th consecutive monthly decline since September 2007. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 11,083 units and commercial vehicle sales of 4,622 units were 16.7 percent down and 0.4 percent up respectively on the same month last year. Total registered vehicle sales were 22.6 percent down year-on-year. Total mini-car sales volume was 6.4 percent down despite a 10 percent increase in Pajero Mini and 4 percent increase in Minicab sales.

Production overseas
Overseas production volume totaled 37,856 units, 24.3 percent down over June last year and the fourth consecutive monthly decline. By region, Asia came in with 26,150 units, a 23.8 percent decrease as a 29.3 percent increase in production in Indonesia (KRM*) on the back of healthy sales failed to offset a decrease in production of Proton models with MMC components at Proton in Malaysia. Production in Europe at 4,095 units showed a 25.9 percent decline over June last year as NedCar in The Netherlands geared up for the start of production of the new Outlander. Production in North America at 3,321 units was 44 percent down as production levels were adjusted for slow sales in the U.S.
* KRM: P.T. Krama Yudha Ratu Motors

Export shipments from Japan
Total exports from Japan of 58,524 units were 7.6 percent up on June 2007, marking the 20th consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for June since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports to Asia at 4,575 units showed a robust 45.3 percent rise over the same period last year driven principally by shipments of the new Outlander to China. Exports to North America at 4,271 units showed a strong 29.2 percent year-on-year increase, driven in part by a 46 percent rise in sales fueled by the new Lancer in Canada. Exports to Europe at 26,651 units were 3.6 percent down on June 2007 as strong sales in Russia and The Ukraine failed to offset sales decrease in Western European countries due to CO2 emission tax related price rises elsewhere.

January - June
Production: total and Japan
The first six months of calendar 2008 saw total global production of 691,163 units, just 0.4 percent down on the same period in 2007 and marking the first decline in three half-yearly terms. Production in Japan totaled 448,845 units, a 10.1 percent increase year-on-year, the third consecutive half-year rise and the highest level since the company spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This owed mainly to an 11.6 percent increase in passenger car (registrations) production that was driven chiefly by a 24.4 percent increase in output of the new Lancer for Russia, the Middle East and Africa and by a 24.1 percent increase in output of the new Outlander for Europe and China.

Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales on the Japanese market in the six month period totaled 107,220 units, 12.3 percent down over last year. Passenger car sales stood at 81,334 units, 13.0 percent down on the total for January - June 2007. Commercial vehicle sales declined 10.0 percent to 25,886 units over the same period last year. Total registered car sales declined 9.8 percent and minicar sales fell 13.6 percent.

Production overseas
In Asia production declined 17.3 percent over the corresponding period last year to 155,192 units due mainly to a decrease in production of Proton models with MMC components in Malaysia, this factor more than offsetting strong increases at MMPC (39.5 percent) in the Philippines and at KRM (130.2 percent) in Indonesia. In North America production for the period fell 22.7 percent year-on-year to 32,318 units impacted by sluggish sales. In Europe production at 30,270 units was 10.6 percent down as a result of slow Colt model sales and preparation for the start of production of the new Outlander.

Export shipments from Japan
Exports from Japan posted their third consecutive half-year increase and reached the highest level since the company spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Total shipments at 335,035 units were 20.9 percent up, with passenger cars 21.6 percent up at 327,804 units and commercial vehicles 3.6 percent down at 7,231 units.
Shipments to Europe rose a strong 45.2 percent over the January - June 2007 period to 154,548 units, driven by strong sales in Russia and The Ukraine. Shipments to North America slipped 11.8 percent to 35,207 units as overall demand fell in the domestic U.S. market. Exports to Asia rose a healthy 33.5 percent year-on-year to a total of 25,015 units driven principally by shipments of the new Outlander to China.

[Source : Mitsubishi]