Mitsubishi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 30

28 mitsubishi motors corporation annual report 2008
Pajero
Overview of Fiscal Year 2007 and Outlook for Fiscal Year 2008
In the past fiscal year, retail sales volume in Asia, ASEAN and
other regions increased 17.1% year on year to 628,000 units.
Retail sales volume in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa
rose 55,000 units on brisk sales of the
Triton pickup truck and SUVs,
including the
Pajero . In the ASEAN region, retail sales volume rose
22,000 units, reflecting a recovery in the Indonesian market and
year-on-year increases in key nations, including Thailand, the
Philippines, and Malaysia. Retail sales in Australia and New Zealand
rose 9,000 units on brisk sales of imported built-up vehicles, while in
China sales of imported built-up SUV models were up sharply. As a
consequence, sales in all regions exceeded prior fiscal year levels.
Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MMTh), a global
production and export base for one-ton pickup trucks, surpassed
one million units in cumulative export volume in June 2007, and
achieved one million units in export volume for pickup trucks in
October of the same year.
Under these conditions, sales in fiscal year 2007 climbed 40.8%
year on year to ¥859.3 billion and operating income increased
60.8% to ¥65.6 billion.
In fiscal year 2008, MMC expects sales volume in Asia,
ASEAN and other regions to decline 9% year on year to 569,000
units due to a reduction in the supply of parts sold overseas in
conjunction with the end of production of models on contract
for Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. (Proton).
Asia, ASEAN and Other Regions
MMC continues to ambitiously pursue business activities in the Asia and ASEAN regions, where it was an early
entrant and has a long history. Along with engendering strong trust in these markets, MMC has established a unique
presence centered on its strong range of SUVs in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. The new mid-
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which offer strong growth prospects, as key markets and calls for further penetration of the Mitsubishi Motors brand
in each region. In addition, the company is entering new markets as part of a sustained effort to ‘build the founda-
tions for growth.’
Initiatives Under the New Mid-term Business Plan
In fiscal year 2008, the first year of the new mid-term business
plan Step Up 2010, MMC is steadily accelerating efforts to ‘build
the foundations for growth’ while bolstering sales capabilities in
key markets. MMC will work to broaden its presence by imple-
menting initiatives in various fields, including production, sales
and alliances, in each region.
China
In China, efforts are aimed at further expansion of the imported
built-up vehicle business, which makes major contributions to earn-
ings. On top of the new
Pajero , launched in 2007, and the addition
of a 2.4-liter model of the
Outlander , plans include the introduction
of three more models:
Lancer Evolution , Lancer and Eclipse .
Furthermore, MMC is making progress in reinforcing the sales
network for Mitsubishi Motors brand vehicles, including locally
produced models. The company also plans to establish a new com-
pany in 2009 to heighten the brand image of existing Mitsubishi
Motors sales outlets and to standardize sales and service quality.