Mitsubishi production, sales and export figures for August 2008

Mitsubishi Motors total global production came in at 90,987 units, a decline of 17.1 percent over August 2007 and the sixth consecutive monthly decrease since March. Production volume in Japan at 55,790 units was down 13.2 percent as an 11.3 percent decrease in passenger car and 27.6 percent decrease in commercial vehicle output saw year-on-year volume fail to grow for the first time in 23 months. The decline in production volume in Japan was due mainly to reductions in production volume of registered cars and mini-cars in Japan to match falling sales on the Japanese market.

Sales In Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in August totalled 10,506 units, a 31.6 percent decrease year-on-year and the 12th consecutive monthly decline since September 2007. Registrations and minicar sales were 34.0 percent and 30.2 percent down respectively on the same month last year.

Production Overseas
Overseas production volume totalled 35,197 units, 22.7 percent down over August last year and the sixth consecutive monthly decline. By region, North America output at 5,358 units was 34.5 percent down as production levels were adjusted for slow sales in the U.S.

Export Shipments From Japan – A Remarkable Record-Breaking Month
Total exports from Japan of 50,319 units were 8.0 percent up on August 2007, marking the 22nd consecutive month of year-on-year increases and setting a new record for August since Mitsubishi Motors spun off its truck and bus operations in 2003. Exports to North America at 4,646 units were 168.9 percent up on August 2007 buoyed by strong sales overall in Canada and of the Lancer series which bucked the market downturn in the United States. Exports to Europe at 24,435 units were 44.6 percent up year on year boosted by continuing strong sales in The Ukraine.