Mitsubishis Reports November Sales
2 December 1997
Mitsubishi Motors Continues To Keep Pace With SUV Market -- Montero Sport Year-To-Date Sales Surpass Company ObjectiveCYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 2 -- With sales of its sport utility vehicles continuing to remain strong, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) today reported monthly total vehicles sales of 12,523 units, including a 149 percent increase in November sales for its two SUV models -- the mid- size Montero Sport and the more luxurious, 7-seat, Montero sport utility vehicle. Year-to-date total vehicle sales for the company remain slightly up, with a 1.4 percent increase in sales over last year. "We're keeping pace with the industry as far as the sport utility segment goes," said Kim Custer, director of public affairs and corporate communications. "Our Montero Sport has been extremely competitive in the marketplace since its introduction late last year and we expect to top 30,000 units before year-end." Year-to-date sport utility sales for the company are up 205 percent through November. The Australian-built Diamante luxury sedan, with sales for the month of 621 units, met company objectives at 105%, while the Mirage coupe and sedan together reached sales of more than 3,000 units within the lower end of the pricing spectrum. Year-to-date sales of Mitsubishi Motors' U.S.-built Galant mid-size sedan and Eclipse sports coupe have exceeded 94,000 units, marking a decline of 19.2 percent. Custer noted that while the company was disappointed with the current downward sales pace overall, they were encouraged by the positive movement within the sport utility segment and anticipates the momentum to continue. 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. Nov. '97 Nov. '96 % Change Month/YTD Month/YTD Month/YTD Passenger Car Sales* 9,440/141,002 12,855/158,751 -26.6%/-11.2% Sport Utility Vehicles** 3,083/34,939 1,239/11,442 +149%/+205% Trucks*** 0/207 131/3,548 -100%/-94.2% Total Vehicle Sales 12,523/176,148 14,225/173,741 -12%/+1.4% Note: U.S.-Built Vehicle Sales 5,457/94,290 9,356/116,754 -41.7%/-19.2% (Includes Eclipse/Eclipse Spyder/Galant) * Above totals include sales of U.S.-built Mitsubishi Motors vehicles ** Includes Montero and Montero Sport *** Truck sales include inventory stock only; MMSA stopped selling the Mighty Max pickup truck early in 1996 Please note sales chart format has changed slightly: SUV's are now broken out separately, therefore dramatically altering year-to-date volume and percentages which reflect this change. SOURCE Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.