Mitsubishi Motors announces production, sales and export figures for March 2008 & for Fiscal Year 2007

Production: Total Global And In Japan

Total global production came in at 137,910 units, a decline of 1.9 per cent over March last year and marking the first monthly decrease since February last year.

Production volume in Japan at 93,558 units was up 8.5 per cent, the 18th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and marking a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003.

New Lancer And New Outlander Continue To Drive Ahead

This growth was driven by a 32.4 per cent increase in output (31,345 units) of the new Lancer for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets and by a 19.5 per cent increase in output (18,647 units) for export shipment of the new Outlander which continues to sell briskly in European and Chinese markets.

Sales In Japan

Vehicle sales in Japan in March totalled 32,317 units, a 16.0 per cent decrease year-on-year.

Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 25,182 units and commercial vehicle sales of 7,135 units were 17.1 per cent and 11.6 per cent down respectively on the same month last year. Total registered vehicle sales were 13.8percent down year-on-year despite strong showings by the Lancer Evolution X, and the Galant Fortis, new additions to the line-up since August last year. Total mini-car sales volume was 17.2 per cent down despite a 17.6 per cent increase in Pajero Mini sales.

Production Overseas

Overseas production volume totalled 44,352 units, 18.4 per cent down over March last year.

Export Shipments From Japan Break Records

Total exports from Japan of 74,787 units were 25 per cent up on March 2007, marking the 17th consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for March since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003.

Exports to Asia showed a healthy 14.6 per cent rise over the same period last year thanks mainly to firm sales of the new Outlander in China.

Exports to Europe of 37,464 units were a very strong 77.6 per cent up on March 2007 and a record for the month since the 2003 spin off of the company's truck and bus operations. This surge was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraine and Central European markets.

2007 Fiscal Year (April '07 - March '08)

Production: Total And In Japan

Total global production in fiscal 2007 came in at 1,431,216 units, an increase of 8.8 per cent over fiscal 2006 and the first rise in volume in two years.

Production Volume In Japan Ploughs Ahead With Outstanding Outlander And Lancer

Production volume in Japan at 875,698 units was up 12.9 per cent, the third consecutive year of growth since fiscal 2005 and marking a new record for the fiscal year since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven mainly by a 107.7 per cent increase in output (170,084 units) of the new Outlander for export to European and Chinese markets and by a 31.2 per cent rise in output of the new Lancer destined for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets.

Sales in Japan

Vehicle sales in Japan in fiscal 2007 totalled 218,632 units, 11.3 per cent down over fiscal 2006.

Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 164,044 units and commercial vehicle sales of 54,588 units were 8.7 per cent and 18.2 per cent down respectively on last year.

Total registered vehicle sales at 83,551 units were 10.1 per cent up, due primarily to the new Galant Fortis and Lancer Evolution X introduced during fiscal 2007 as well as to firm sales of the Delica D:5 launched in fiscal 2006. Total mini-car sales were 20.8 per cent down for the year.

Production Overseas Picks Up With L200 Shipments

Overseas production volume in fiscal 2007 totalled 555,518 units, an increase of 2.8% over last year and the first yearly increase since fiscal 2002. This is attributed mainly to a 10.2% production increase to 358,154 units in Asia reflecting the rise in export shipments of the L200 pickup truck from Thailand, the boost in production at Proton and KRM (P.T. Mitsubishi Krama Yudha Motors & Manufacturing) accompanying the market recovery in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively and higher production at China Motor Corporation in Taiwan.

Export Shipments From Japan Make A Record-Breaking Fiscal Year

Total exports from Japan in fiscal 2007 of 614,444 units were 38.5 per cent up on the previous year, the third consecutive year of growth and a new fiscal year record since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003.

Exports shipments of 42,980 units to Asia showed a strong 36.6 per cent rise over last year helped by the introduction of the new Outlander in China. Export shipments to Europe of 257,221 units were a very strong 74.7 per cent up on fiscal 2006. This rise was driven mainly by growth in Russia, Ukraine and Central European markets.

Exports to North America at 59,920 units were 14.4 per cent down, attributable to market conditions in the second half of the fiscal year.