Mitsubishi announced sales, production, and export results for March 2007, Fiscal Year 2006

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation manufacturer of Mitsubishi truck part has announced recently the results of their global production, as well as domestic sales and exports for March 2007 and fiscal year 2006.

The total global production came in at 140,584 units with 5.4 percent increase from the year ago period. The Japanese production increased by 6.3 percent year-on-year to 86,240 units, increasing the sixth consecutive months of year-on-year production volume. Likewise, the overseas production increased for the first time in sixteen months by 4.0 percent year-on-year to 54,344 units.

Mitsubishi’s total vehicle sales in Japan reached 38,451 units or 79.1 percent of the March 2006 total. The registered vehicle sales declined to 13,941 units, or 95.1 percent compared to the year ago figure due to slower sales of Outlander and the Colt series. The Minicar sales were able to record only 24,510 units or 72.2 percent year-on-year. Total sales for passenger cars were 30,383 units or 84.4 percent of March 2006 level, and commercial vehicle sales were 8,068 units, 64.0 percent of the same period last year.

The overseas production for the month totaled 54,344 units or 104.0 percent of the year ago period figure. European production reaches 5,836 units, or 73.4 percent of last year's total. North American production came in at 8,135 units, a 96.2 percent year-on-year. Asian production totaled 36,391 units or 8.2 percent increase from March 2006's levels resulting to the increase export of Triton (L200) pickups from Thailand.

Total exports from Japan reached 59,816 units or 24.2 percent increase over the previous period and in turn increase the fifth consecutive months of year-on-year volume. On the other hand, exports to Europe increased to 21,093 units or 118.2 percent of the same period last year. The exports to Asia reached 4,239 units or 82.3 percent of March 2006 levels. Exports to North America came in at 13,515 units, recording 1676.8 percent increase from last year's figure due to favorable sales of Outlander and increased shipments of new Lancer.

For the fiscal year 2006, global production reached 1,315,789 units or 95.2 percent of the levels seen in fiscal year 2005. Japanese production came to 775,648 units or 9.9 percent increase year-on-year due to the production launch of Outlander for U.S., European and Chinese markets, strong sales of Lancer in Russia and other markets, global sales launch of new Pajero and Delica D:5 models in Japanese market.

Japanese vehicle sales for the fiscal year 2006 reached 246,435 units and decreased by 3.8 percent over the year ago period. Registered vehicle volume declined by 11.1 percent year-on-year to 75,916 units, minicar sales were 170,519 units, 99.8 percent of levels seen last year. Passenger car volume has shown slight growth reaching 179,702 units or 101.1 percent of the total for the same period last year. Commercial vehicle volume declined to 66,733 units, down 14.9 percent over the comparable period last year.

The overseas production in the period declined to 540,141, or 80.0 percent of the total for the pervious period. Production in Europe came in at 80,315 units, a 17.2 percent increase over the year ago total cause by the strong sales of the Colt CZC cabriolet model. The production in North America has increased by 4.6 percent year-on-year to 93,240 units. Despite the fact that the Asian production recovered in March 2007, total volume for FY06 was 324,974 units, a 30.9 percent decline from the same period last year caused by the economic recessions in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.

The exports from Japan totaled 443,535 units, a 16.8 percent increase over the total for the fiscal year 2005, marking the second consecutive years of year-on-year gains. Likewise, exports to Europe increased to 147,207 units, up 9.6 percent year-on-year due to introduction of new Pajero and Outlander models, and continuous sales growth in Russia and Ukraine. Exports to North America rose to 70,036 units, 186.7 percent of the year ago total due to the contribution of new Outlander and new Lancer models. And lastly, exports to Asia totaled 31,464 units, 83.6 percent of the previous period total.