With the fulfillment of his three-year term, Hiroshi Harunari returns toJapan for reassignment within Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. As President andCEO of MMNA, Harunari made strides improving dealer communication and vastlyhelped instill a culture of greater fiscal responsibility in day-to-dayoperations. Harunari presided over the successful launches of the currentEclipse Spyder, Outlander and Lancer products that currently comprise themajority of the company's sales volume.

Incoming President and CEO, Shinichi Kurihara, returns to MMNA for histhird assignment in the United States from his current position of SeniorExecutive Officer in the Product Strategy Office where he is responsible fordirecting and coordinating all matters relating to MMC's product planningactivities worldwide, in addition to long-term marketing and branddevelopment.

Kurihara's previous U.S. assignments were from 1984-1988 in productplanning and marketing where he gained a solid foundation understandingconsumer habits. He returned to MMNA between 1996 and 2001 where he waspromoted to Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and oversaw anaggressive series of product launches.

Kurihara intends to capitalize on Mitsubishi's core brand attributes thatstrongly differentiate Mitsubishi in the marketplace. He also will take anactive role in reinforcing the success of Lancer and Outlander to helpenergize Galant, Eclipse and the exciting forthcoming products.

Kurihara believes true success will come from developing programs thatintegrate product development, manufacturing and sales, which leads to a moreeffective and efficient Mitsubishi and a highly engaged dealer network.

About Mitsubishi Motors North America

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for allmanufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operationsfor Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles,sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network ofapproximately 480 dealers. For more information, contact the MitsubishiMotors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors Corporation