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Mitsubishi Motors' Eclipse is Company Sales Leader For March

2 April 1998

Mitsubishi Motors' Eclipse is Company Sales Leader For March; Company's Sports Coupe and Convertible Sales Increase 5 Percent

    CYPRESS, Calif., April 1 -- Mitsubishi Motor Sales of
America, Inc. (MMSA), today announced total March vehicle sales of 12,060
units, a 27 percent decline its monthly sales compared to 1997 figures.  The
company's U.S.-built Eclipse sports coupe and Eclipse Spyder convertible were
sales leaders for the month with an increase of 5 percent over the prior year.
    "As our manufacturing facility in Illinois prepares to build the all-new
1999 Galant and supplies of the current model diminish, our overall sales have
been significantly affected by a 54 percent decrease in sales of this
mid-size sedan," said Kim Custer, director of public affairs and corporate
communications.  "Galant is perennially one of our best selling cars, and when
we lose that kind of volume, our sales volume is definitely affected."
    Total sales of Mitsubishi Motors' Eclipse sports coupe and convertible
reached 4,594 units for March, and with an 11 percent increase in sales during
the first quarter, it should remain one of the best-selling cars in its class.
Another strong seller for the company in March was the Montero Sport mid-size
sport utility vehicle, with sales of 2,799 contributing to a first quarter
increase of 25 percent over prior year.
    Mitsubishi Motors is scheduled to show the production version of the 1999
Galant at the 1998 New York International Auto Show next week.  According to
Custer, the all-new mid-size sedan will be available with either a 4-cylinder
or V6 engine for the first time and will be a stylish, value-packed competitor
to Accord, Camry and Altima.
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1982 by
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles,
including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles.


                                   Mar. '98        Mar. '97      % Change
                                  Month/YTD       Month/YTD     Month/YTD

    Passenger Car Sales*       8,995/34,497   13,073/41,380     -31%/-17%
    Sport Utility Vehicles**   3,065/ 9,195    3,630/ 8,364     -16%/+10%
    Trucks***                           0/0           1/191   -100%/-100%
    Total Vehicle Sales       12,060/43,692   16,704/49,935     -28%/-13%

    Note: U.S.-Built Vehicle
     Sales                     6,933/22,764    9,447/28,810     -27%/-21%
    (Includes Eclipse/Eclipse
     Spyder/Galant)

    *     Above totals include sales of U.S.-built Mitsubishi Motors vehicles
    **    Includes Montero and Montero Sport
    ***   Truck sales include inventory stock only; MMSA stopped selling the
            Mighty Max pickup truck early in 1996

SOURCE  Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.