Mitsubishi Motors Reveals Name Of Its New Truck; New Truck and New Eclipse Models Previewed at National Mitsubishi Motors Dealer Show

NEW ORLEANS--Sept. 23, 2004--Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today announced that "Raider" would be the name of the company's new midsize truck to be unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Mitsubishi Motors dealers attending the national franchise convention were treated to a preview of the new truck, along with the new Eclipse sporty coupe also scheduled to debut at the Detroit show. Both new vehicles feature interior and exterior designs created by Mitsubishi Motors Cypress, California design studio. The Eclipse is slated to go on sale in summer 2005, followed by the truck in early fall.

The truck's styling emphasizes sportiness with a bold stance and aggressive attitude and incorporates signature design cues from the Mitsubishi family of vehicles - including Endeavor and Galant. The all-new Eclipse takes a dynamic, muscular stance and hints toward a performance and handling package that will re-excite the sporty car segment.

The Raider will include a standard V-6 and a V-8 engine option, two different cab configurations, and unique interior and exterior styling distinctive to Mitsubishi. The Raider, based on the Dodge Dakota midsize truck, will be built in the Daimler-Chrysler plant in Warren, Michigan.

Raider available feature highlights include:

-- 4.7L V8 with 230 horsepower and 290 pounds-feet of torque

-- Fully boxed steel frame

-- Independent front suspension with coil-over shocks and live axle and multi-leaf rear suspension

-- Extended or double cab in two- and four-wheel drive

-- 500-watt audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer

-- Bluetooth (R) technology.

The new Eclipse will offer more powerful four and six-cylinder engines than the current generation, an available 6-speed manual transmission and many interior feature upgrades to appeal to discriminating buyers. The Eclipse will continue to be built in the Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal, Illinois.

Eclipse available feature highlights include:

-- 3.8L V6 with 260 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque

-- 5-speed Sportronic or 6-speed manual transmission

-- 18-inch wheels

-- 650-watt Rockford Fosgate (R) audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer, MP3 playback, nine speakers with a 10-inch subwoofer.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, and research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States and Canada. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 650 dealers.