Mitsubishi Motors has continued to improve its market position, with the release of the June sales results showing a 35% sales increase over the previous month. It has increased its overall market share from 6.1% in May to 6.5% in June, and once again has sold the fourth most vehicles during the month.

All products in Mitsubishi's 8-car range have either held, or improved their positions month-on-month, some by as much as 57%.

June is usually a very strong sales month to complete the financial year, and Mitsubishi had a number of competitive sales offers in order to get it's share of the month's activity. The Company's popular Lancer continued to perform very solidly as a result of its "Wing and Wheels" offer at $19,990, while Pajero increased its sales by 39% May to June (602 against 434) as a result of the stylish new VRX model being offered at $49,990 drive-away.

However, June is traditionally very strong for commercial vehicle sales, as owners buy new work vehicles in time to gain their tax breaks. Consequently, the Mitsubishi Triton one tonne utility and Express Van also had very good sales results. Triton managed a 57% increase in sales over May (which was already 37% up on April) to record its second best monthly result ever, jumping from 998 units to 1,569 units for the month.

Express Van also recorded a 17% increase in sales, increasing from 250 units for May to 293 for June.

The most pleasing result was the significant jump in sales for the 380 sedan. It recorded a 31% increase in sales compared to May (1,569 compared to 1,203), and a 11% increase on Magna/Verada's June result last year (1,591 380/Magna sales compared to 1,434 last year ). This was an excellent result, as the car's sales continued to go against the trend of the Large Car segment. The 380's traditional competitors have recorded reductions of between 27% and 44% over the same period, and this has resulted in 380 increasing its segment share even further (from 12% to 12.8%).

CEO Robert McEniry said that the June figures were very satisfying, and were a vindication for the hard work that every MMAL employee had put in to turn the company around.

"The pleasing thing to me is that the strong sales result was across all of our products, and gives us a strong launching pad for the new products that we will be bringing to market in the next 2-3 months."

"Triton had an exceptional month, and that is before the all-new stylish ML model hits dealerships this month. And, that will be followed in quick succession by a manual Colt range, Ralliart Colt, Pajero, Colt Cabriolet and all-new Outlander. So, we have a lot to look forward to."

"Again, the significant jump in sales of 380 shows that our re-positioning is working, as June was the strongest month for dealer sales since launch. Customers - both private and fleet - are now showing confidence in the car as a result of the recent awards it has received."

"It has not only won "Australia's Best Cars Best Large Car", but has followed up with "Delivery" magazine's award for the "Best Fleet Car" as well as the best result ever for an Australian-built car in the recent ANCAP safety awards and the best running costs for a large car judged by the motoring clubs."

"Our sales growth has now been consistent month-on-month for the last six months, and we believe this growth is sustainable in the months going forward. We are eagerly looking forward to the next six months," Mr McEniry said.

Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X wagon