Mitsubishi Motors Releases Drawings of Vehicles to Debut At 2003 North American International Auto Show

CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 16, 2002; Mitsubishi Motors America, Inc. (MMA) today released sketches of two all-new vehicles that will make their world premiere at the 2003 North American International Auto Show on Monday, January 6, 2003.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) President and CEO Rolf Eckrodt will join MMA President and CEO Pierre Gagnon to discuss Mitsubishi Motors' global turnaround and the company's continued momentum in the North American market, in addition to presenting the two exciting world premiere vehicles.

First up in Detroit will be the Mitsubishi Tarmac Spyder Concept, a vehicle that will provide a study in concept vehicle "Evolution." Inspired by the well-received CZ-3 Tarmac sports hatch concept that appeared at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show (but was not shown in North America), the Tarmac Spyder provides a more aggressive performance and styling treatment. This evolutionary model embodies the excitement, emotion, sophistication and fun of the Mitsubishi brand. The Mitsubishi Tarmac Spyder's exterior themes and appealing styling cues represent the visual design vocabulary that consumers can expect to see on future compact segment products that Mitsubishi Motors expects to sell globally.

Following the Mitsubishi Tarmac Spyder concept will be the production version of the Mitsubishi Endeavor. This eagerly-anticipated, all-new, mid-sized S.U.V. was designed and built in North America specifically for the North American market. With stand-out styling and spirited performance, the Mitsubishi Endeavor is expected to compete favorably in the mid-sized S.U.V. market against such vehicles as the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Nissan's new Murano.

This exciting new crossover S.U.V. will be powered by a V6 engine and will be available as either a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive model. Endeavor will arrive in showrooms in March 2003 as a 2004 model.

Endeavor is the first vehicle coming to market under Mitsubishi Motors' Project America initiative. Project America represents a $1.4 billion investment by Mitsubishi Motors to develop vehicles in North America specifically for the North American market. Endeavor was conceived at Mitsubishi Motors design center in Cypress, Calif., engineered at Mitsubishi Motors research and development operation in Ann Arbor, Mich., and will be assembled at Mitsubishi Motors' plant in Normal, Ill.