Mitsubishi Motors North America Announces Ratification of UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement

NORMAL, Ill., Oct. 4, 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced that UAW Local 2488 members have ratified an agreement that dramatically improves the ability of the company's Normal, Illinois assembly plant to be a key player in the global success of Mitsubishi Motors.

"We are extremely pleased with this agreement," said MMNA Manufacturing President & CEO, Shiro Futaki. "For our customers and dealers, the agreement underscores in no uncertain terms that Mitsubishi Motors is committed to being competitive and successful in the U.S. market."

The agreement includes provisions guaranteeing that production will continue at the assembly plant in Normal, Illinois through August 2012. The pact also provides job security for more than 1,200 current UAW workers through the end of the agreement period.

Futaki praised the agreement as a symbol of his employees' teamwork and determination to succeed. "The leadership of both the UAW and MMNA recognize the tough issues facing the U.S. automotive industry and we have worked together toward solving them," he said. "This agreement continues a long tradition of partnership and cooperation between MMNA and the UAW."