Mitsubishi Motors announces production, sales and export figures

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for June 2007 and the first six months of calendar 2007.

June 2007

Total global production came in at 117,314 units, an increase of 7.4 percent over June 2006 and marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase since March this year. Production volume in Japan increased 11.6 percent to 67,305 units, the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. This growth was mainly driven by increased output of the New Outlander for the U.S., European and Chinese markets, and of the New Pajero for the European market.

Vehicle sales in Japan in June totaled 17,917 units, an 8.6 percent decline year-on-year as an increase in registered vehicle sales failed to make up for a fall in mini-car sales. Registered vehicle sales stood at 6,557 units, 8.6 percent up on the same month last year. Mini-car sales declined to 11,360 units, 16.2 percent down.

Overseas production volume totaled 50,009 units, 2.2 percent up over June last year. In Europe production came in at 5,526 units or 55.7 percent down on last year's figure. In North American production at 5,935 units was 4.0 percent down on the level seen last year. In Asia production at 34,301 units was 17.4 percent up on June 2006. This increase was driven in part by a 91.2 percent rise in L200 pick-up truck exports from Thailand and by a 75.8 percent increase in output at Proton to meet the recovery in the Malaysia market.

Total exports from Japan of 54,399 units were 74 percent up on June 2006, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year increases. Exports to Europe increased to 27,649 units, a massive 213.9 percent rise on the back of firm sales of Lancer and Outlander models as well as brisk shipments of Pajero and New Outlander models. Exports to Asia fell to 3,149 units, an 8.6 percent decline over the same period last year despite New Outlander sales remaining brisk in China. Exports to North America fell to 3,305 units, 40.8 percent down on the June 2006 level.

The first six months of calendar 2007 saw total global production of 693,801 units, 3.8 percent up on the same period in 2006 and marking the second consecutive half-year rise. Production in Japan totaled 407,733 units, a 9.2 percent increase year-on-year and the second consecutive half-year rise, stemming chiefly from a 356 percent increase in output of the New Outlander for shipment to the United States, Europe and China, and 73.8 percent rise in production of the Pajero for shipment to Europe.

Vehicle sales on the Japanese market in the six month period totaled 122,190 units, 15.7 percent down over the same period last year. Passenger car sales stood at 93,443 units, 10.2 percent down on the total for January - June 2006. Commercial vehicle sales declined to 28,747 units, 70.4 percent of the total for the same period last year. Total registered car sales declined 2.5 percent and minicar sales fell 21.6 percent.

In Europe production for the first six months of 2007 fell 23.9 percent to 33,870 units, due mainly to sluggish sales of the Colt 3-door and CZC. In Asia production declined 0.4 percent over the corresponding period last year to 187,550 units, due mainly to a 21.1 percent drop in production volume in Taiwan. In North America production for the period fell 1.2 percent year-on-year to 41,814 units.

Exports to Europe rose a strong 58.9 percent over the January - June 2006 period to 106,463 units, driven by strong shipments of Lancer, Outlander, New Pajero and New Outlander models and sales increase in Russia and the Ukraine. Shipments to North America jumped 121.5 percent to 39,922 units on the back of strong sales of the New Lancer and Outlander models. Exports to Asia rose 9.3 percent year-on-year to a total of 18,733 units.

- Fumio Nishizaki-