Outlander and Outlander Sport earns IIHS Top Saftey Pick award [USA]

Mitsubishi Motors' 2014 Outlander & Outlander Sport Earn Coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Awards, Offering Consumers the Safest Crossover Model Lineup in America

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander

Cypress, California, December 19, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has seen its all-new 7-passenger 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick+" - the highest safety achievement designated by the non-profit vehicle research and crash test ratings agency - and its 5-passenger 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport designated the only IIHS "Top Safety Pick" model in the Small SUV category. With these accolades, Mitsubishi Motors offers automotive consumers the safest crossover model lineup available in America today.

Due to more stringent testing criteria for the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and "Top Safety Pick" awards, only 39 vehicle models earned either award in 2014 - a drastic reduction when compared to the 130 vehicle models that earned IIHS award recognition in 2013.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander was one of only 22 vehicles to earn the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" accolade for 2014.

In order for a vehicle to become an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" for 2014, a test subject must not only display exemplary performance in the various stringent crash testing criteria, but it must now "have systems that can prevent or mitigate front-to-rear crashes," according to the IIHS.

Mitsubishi Motors to Establish Office in Nairobi, Kenya

Mitsubishi Motors to Establish Office in Nairobi, Kenya
- Upgrading operating base in Africa ahead of future motorization -

Tokyo, December 17, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that it will establish an office in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya with the aim of strengthening its information-gathering capability on the African market as well as further invigorating its local sales network. The office will begin operations in January 2014.

Automobile demand in the African market is expected to rapidly increase, with great potential for economic growth as it is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and increasing population. MMC-brand vehicles were first introduced in the African market in the late 1960s. MMC vehicles, typified by pickup trucks and SUVs, have been widely accepted by African consumers for their all-terrain capability and four-wheel-drive technology which are ideal for driving on rough roads. Currently, MMC's sales network reaches throughout 48 countries in the continent.

MMC's African operations including sales, parts, and after-service had been overseen by MMMEA* in Dubai. However in recent years, detailed and specific market information regarding consumer needs, returning feedback to product development, and closer communication with local sales outlets have all become more and more necessary. Thus MMC decided to reopen an office now after closing the previous office in 1996. The new office will strengthen African operations through various measures including human resource development for local staff, in cooperation with MMMEA.

In preparation for the future expansion of motorization in Africa, MMC will move ahead with upgrading its operating base in Africa during the New Stage 2016 new mid-term business plan, which begins next April.

Mitsubishi Motors Appoints New Distributor in Laos

Mitsubishi Motors Appoints New Distributor in Laos

Tokyo, December 13, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has signed a contract with KLM Import-Export Sole Co., LTD. (KLM) making KLM MMC's distributor in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). MMC had been studying ways to rebuild and strengthen its sales network in Laos and has decided on KLM to handle sales and services for all MMC-brand vehicles in the country.

On December 12, a dealer opening ceremony was held in Vientiane with Dr. Nam Viyaket, Minister of Industry and Commerce in attendance. Mr. Souphavanh Sorrangkoun, President of KLM, also at the ceremony, touching on expanding operations in Laos, stated "We will aggressively move forward with marketing activities in our rapidly growing market. Then we plan to expand and enhance the sales network including establishing sales outlets in Savannakhet, the second-largest city after Vientiane, as well as in Pakse." In addition, Mr. Kenichi Horinouchi, Corporate General Manager of MMC's Asia & ASEAN Office, added "We will do our utmost to support KLM in gaining appreciation of the benefits Mitsubishi Motors vehicles bring from the Lao people."

December 12 Dealer Opening Ceremony

Among the rapidly-growing ASEAN markets, Laos is also expected to show progressing economic development as well as continuous growth in its automobile market. Recognizing this, MMC, as part of its strategy to focus more resources in emerging markets such as ASEAN markets, plans to firmly establish its brand presence and further sales expansion in the country with an eye on expanding the current lineup of SUVs and pickup trucks to include passenger vehicles or other vehicles.

Outline of KLM Import-Export Sole Co., LTD.
Location: Vientiane, Laos
Capital: KIP 4.0 billion (Approx. JPY 50.0 million)
Representative: Souphavanh Sorrangkoun
Established: January 2013
Product Lineup: Triton, Pajero Sport
No. of Employees: 37 (as of December 2013)

Update Regarding Mitsubishi Motors Initiatives in Myanmar

Update Regarding Mitsubishi Motors Initiatives in Myanmar
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation
Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd.
First Myanmar Investment Company Ltd.

TOKYO, December 12, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd (YSH) and First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd (FMI) have been working together on building a service structure for inspection, maintenance, and repair of MMC brand vehicles in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar), following Myanmar's recent deregulation of automobile importation and in consideration of the many MMC brand vehicles already on the road there, distributed mainly through the country's used car market.

As a part of these efforts, a second After-Sales Service Center was established on December 5 in Mandalay.

By establishing the second After-Sales Service Center located in Mandalay following the one established in Yangon this May, services for almost 80% of MMC-brand vehicles currently on the road in Myanmar will be covered. Expanding the after-sales service structure using MMC know-how will contribute to strengthening MMC's brand image prior to commencement of its new car sales.

As part of initiatives towards the Myanmar market, MMC announced its intention in October to commence new car sales in Myanmar. Now MMC, MC, YSH and FMI are under discussions regarding establishment of a joint venture for new vehicle sales and after-sales service in preparation for an expected rapid development and growth of the economy as well as the automobile market in Myanmar.

In addition to the aforementioned new vehicle sales and after-sales service business, MMC, MC, YSH and FMI are discussing additional possibilities for mutual cooperation in Myanmar in the future, including local production.

Outlander PHEV Earns Maximum 5-star Rating in 2013 Euro NCAP

Outlander PHEV Earns Maximum 5-star Rating in 2013 Euro NCAP

- Latest award confirms worlds' first plug-in hybrid SUV's combination of performance technologies -
Tokyo, December 6, 2013 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that the company's Outlander PHEV mid-size SUV featuring MMC's own Plug-in Hybrid EV System has been awarded a maximum 5-star rating in the 2013 Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), an overall safety rating system for new models launched in Europe*1. Euro NCAP puts new cars through some of the world's toughest safety tests, including an array of crash tests.

･String of awards redeems "@earth TECHNOLOGY"
This recognition is the latest in a string of awards that confirms MMC's @earth TECHNOLOGY, the technologies that embody MMC's Drive@earth pillars of environmental responsibility, driving pleasure, and toughness and safety – all of which are combined in Outlander PHEV, the pinnacle of @earth TECHNOLOGY.

The Outlander PHEV was awarded the Car of the Year Japan*2 2013-2014's Innovation Award for its environmental performance and motive performance.

In addition, the Outlander PHEV's Plug-in Hybrid EV System drivetrain was recognized for its environmental performance and driving dynamics by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan*3, which in November named the Plug-in Hybrid EV System the "RJC Technology of the Year 2014."

･About the Outlander PHEV
The world's first plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV is an "electric car that charges itself" and represents a fusion of the EV technologies developed by MMC for models such as the i-MiEV, 4WD technologies honed in the Lancer Evolution, and SUV know-how gained from the Pajero (Montero or Shogun in some countries).

The Outlander PHEV is fitted with a combination of several advanced safety features, including: e-Assist*4 advanced safety technologies, RISE*5 high-rigidity impact safety body and seven SRS airbags and harmonizes high levels of performance in environment, safety and premium quality.

*1:     For more information, please visit http://www.euroncap.com/results/mitsubishi/outlander_phev/543.aspx
*2:     Held by the Car of the Year Japan's supervisory board, made up primarily of Japanese automotive journalists.
*3:     A non-profit organization consisting of Japan-based automotive critics and journalists.
*4:     Called "e-Assist" only in the Japanese market, a combination of advanced technologies including Forward Collision Mitigation System (FCM) which automatically applies the brakes as necessary to help avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead or reduce impact damage in the event of a collision; Lane Departure Warning System (LDW) which alerts the driver when the vehicle starts to drift from its lane, aiding driver concentration; and Adaptive Cruise Control System (ACC), a radar-based system that automatically maintains a driver-adjustable distance with the vehicle in front, reducing the chance of a collision if the vehicle in front suddenly stops.
*5;     Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution, MMC's patented safety body construction system. For more information please visit http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/spirit/technology/library/rise.html.