Mitsubishi May sales and export figures

Total global production came in at 98,959 units, a decline of 8.7 percent over May last year and marks the third consecutive monthly decrease.

Production volume in Japan at 62,039 units was up 7.8 percent, the 20th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and marks a new record for May since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. This growth was driven by a 38.4 percent increase in output (25,852 units) of the new Lancer for the Russian, North American, and Middle East and African markets and by a 6.7 percent increase in output (14,165 units) for export shipments of the new Outlander which continues to sell briskly in European and Chinese markets.

Sales In Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in May totalled 11,782 units, an 18.7 percent decrease year-on-year. Passenger car (registrations and mini-car) sales of 8,481 units and commercial vehicle sales of 3,301 units were 21.2 percent and 11.6 percent down respectively on the same month last year. Total registered vehicle sales were 24.5 percent down year-on-year. Total mini-car sales volume was 15.8 percent down despite a 2.0 percent increase in Pajero Mini sales.

Production Overseas
Overseas production volume totalled 36,920 units, 27.5 percent down over May last year and the third consecutive monthly decline. By region, Asia came in with 26,327 units, a 21.4 percent decrease as significant increases in production in the Philippines (MMPC) and Indonesia (KRM - P.T. Mitsubishi Krama Yudha Motors & Manufacturing) on the back of healthy sales failed to offset declines in China and in Malaysia where production of MMC models at Proton is shortly due to come to an end.

Production in Europe at 2,495 units showed a 59.0 percent decline over May last year. This is entirely due to the shutting down of the Nedcar plant during weeks 18, 19 and 20 to prepare for the start of production of Outlander (paint shop, re-tooling, etc). Production at the plant has now resumed.

Export Shipments From Japan Break Records
Total exports from Japan of 51,333 units were 6.1 percent up on May 2007, marking the 19th consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for May since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003.

Exports to Asia at 4,404 units showed a healthy 51.7 percent rise over the same period last year driven principally by shipments of the new Outlander to China.
Exports to North America at 3,828 units were 2.2 percent up.
Exports to Europe at 26,097 units were a strong 21.8 percent up on May 2007 and a record for the month since the 2003 spin off of the company's truck and bus operations. This increase was driven mainly by a 42.0 percent increase in exports to Russia and the Ukraine.