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Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Posts September sales

1 October 1998

SUV Sales Stay High for Mitsubishi Motors With 8 Percent YTD Increase; New Galant Shows Strength in Mid-Size Sedan Segment

    CYPRESS, Calif., Oct. 1 -- Continuing to show strength in its
sales of individual model lines, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.'s
(MMSA) September sales reflect a 2 percent increase in passenger car sales,
over the same period last year, and a 98 percent increase in monthly sales of
the company's Galant mid-size sedan.
    "The recent introduction of our all-new '99 Galant is paving the way for
an entire re-launch of the Mitsubishi brand," said Pierre Gagnon, executive
vice president and chief operating officer.  "Not only is the new Galant
allowing us to go head-to-head with the competition in one of the most
competitive segments of the industry, but its blend of style and performance
is helping us welcome an entirely new customer into our dealerships."
September Galant sales reached nearly 4,700 units and contributed to a
24 percent monthly sales increase of U.S.-built products for the company, over
September 1997.
    The company's new "wake up and drive!" advertising campaign was initiated
with the '99 Galant launch and reflects a high confidence level for Mitsubishi
Motors.  "With the potential for being our best selling product, Galant offers
the best opportunity we've had in a long time to increase our sales volume,
better utilize our American production facility, and perhaps most notably,
raise consumer awareness about our brand," said Gagnon.  Anticipated 1999
model year sales for the new Galant are at 60,000 units.
    Other model line year-to-date increases include the U.S.-built Eclipse
Spyder convertible, up 32 percent; Montero Sport mid-size sport utility
vehicle, up 22 percent; and the entry level Mirage 4-door sedan, up
43 percent.
    Total vehicle sales for September reached 16,207 units, showing a
1 percent increase in September sales over last year, with a 1 percent
decrease in year-to-date figures.  Sport utility vehicle sales including the
luxury Montero and the 5-passenger Montero Sport were up 8 percent in
year-to-date sales.
    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.

                                  Sept. '98         Sept. '97       % Change
                                  Month/YTD         Month/YTD      Month/YTD

    Passenger Car Sales*        12,743/115,898  12,524/119,190     +2% / -3%
    Sport Utility Vehicles**      3,464/30,524    3,507/28,206     -1% / +8%
    Trucks***                              0/0           0/207     0 / -100%
    Total Vehicle Sales         16,207/146,422  16,031/147,603     +1% / -1%

    Note: U.S.-Built Vehicle
     Sales                        9,609/80,422    7,744/81,814    +24% / -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