All Time Sales Record For Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has posted an all-time new vehicle sales record of 32,282 for 2003, up 23% on the previous year.

Sales have continued strongly across the range throughout 2003 with exceptional results shown by Carisma with 4,692 sales (up 36 %), Shogun with 4,972 sales up (19%) and L200, with a segment-leading 12,574 sales (up 54%) on the previous year. L200 continues to be the dominant force in the Pick Up Sector with a 46% share of the total market at year-end, way ahead of its nearest rival the Ford Ranger which finished with a 20% share.

Lance Bradley, Director of Sales & Marketing states: "2003 was a fantastic year for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Our pricing is right, our marketing campaigns are reaching the right customers and our dealer network is motivated and hitting targets month after month."

The Mitsubishi Shogun performed extremely well in 2003 in the face of very strong competition increasing its sales by 20% and taking 9% of the segment at year-end. The introduction of the high-spec Shogun Warrior in April proved a popular choice with customers and has now become an integral part of the Shogun range.

Another of the Mitsubishi success stories of 2003 was the introduction of the now legendary Lancer Evolution VIII. For the first time, Mitsubishi Motors UK was able to secure the supply and, more importantly, competitive pricing levels on this hero model. Customers turned away from grey importers in their droves and headed for Mitsubishi’s trained network of Ralliart dealers to make their dream purchase, resulting in 778 Evolution VIII sales between April and December. This figure is set to more than double in 2004 with the addition to the range, in April, of a new 260bhp model priced at only £23,999. The current range will also be updated with the new Evolution VIII MR (‘Mitsubishi Racing’) which will be introduced in 280, FQ-300 and FQ-330 specification.

Mitsubishi Motors has now entered what will be its busiest year ever as a raft of new products start to hit the market. As well as the extended Evolution VIII range, January 1st sees the new Outlander crossover 4x4 go on sale, followed by the stunning new Grandis MPV in July and the long-awaited new Colt in September.