- Annual sales up 18% to 1.22 million in CY 2018
- Overseas sales reach 1,114,286 units, up 19% vs CY 2017
- Japan, Europe and North America all experience double-digit percentage increases
- ASEAN region sees 322,284 sales, up 35%, following success of new XPANDER
TOKYO, January 30, 2019 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has revealed strong sales figures for CY 2018, with volumes up by 18% to 1,218,897 units. The figures prove the company still has strong momentum behind its V-shaped recovery plan, with double-digit percentage increases in both domestic and overseas markets.
New products including the Eclipse Cross SUV and revised Outlander PHEV saw sales in Japan grow from 91,630 to 104,611 – an increase of 14% versus CY 2017. Overseas sales were 1,114,286, an increase of 175,452 units and up +19% on the year.
Export markets also showed strong growth, with the United States up 14% to 118,075 units and Western Europe rising 19% to 178,414. Particular highlight was a 64% increase in France (to 7,303 units). Eastern Europe saw the greatest percentage growth – an increase of 79% versus CY 2017, in particular Russia with 45,391 sales, up 87% from the previous year.
As a region, it was the ASEAN business which saw the greatest rise with 322,284 sales, up 35% versus 2017. Indonesia was the main driver of this growth, with 146,805 sales – a massive 84% increase pushed by the success of new XPANDER compact multi-purpose vehicle. Mitsubishi Motors opened a new assembly plant in Indonesia during 2017 to build the new model. This success builds on the strong growth in 2017 too, meaning sales in Indonesia have risen by 118% in the past two years.
Other strong performances came from Thailand, with sales up 21% to 84,560, Vietnam (+60% to 10,969) and Malaysia (up 32% to 9,261).
Trevor Mann, chief operating officer of Mitsubishi Motors, said: "Our strong performances in 2018 are proof that our Drive For Growth plan to lead Mitsubishi to a sustainable recovery is working. We continue to be exceptionally strong in ASEAN region, and are also seeing pleasing growth in other key markets as new products reach customers and our SUV and EV offerings become increasingly relevant and attractive."'
About MITSUBISHI MOTORS
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has a competitive edge in SUVs and pickup trucks, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company launched the i-MiEV – the first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, which was followed by the OUTLANDER PHEV in 2013 – a plug-in hybrid market leader in Japan and Europe. Mitsubishi Motors has 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Philippines and Russia. Models, such as the PAJERO SPORT/MONTERO SPORT, TRITON/L200 and OUTLANDER play a major role in achieving its growth. The global sales volume in fiscal year 2017 was 1,101,000 units, and the net sales of Mitsubishi Motors for fiscal year 2017 was 2.19 trillion yen. Mitsubishi Motors is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
