Mitsubishi Motors announces 2005 model year vehicles meeting Voluntary Safety Commitment

As part of its ongoing participation in industry-led voluntary efforts to improve vehicle safety, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced that several of its 2005 model year vehicles will comply with the voluntary design and performance criteria set out in 2003 by member companies of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

These voluntary design and performance safety criteria pertain to vehicle compatibility in front-to-front and front-to-side impact collisions, and are helping to drive the adoption of numerous vehicle safety enhancements ahead of federal requirements. Mitsubishi is among the sixteen automakers participating in this voluntary effort.

In front-to-front collisions, MMNA's family of model year 2005 SUVs - specifically the Montero, Outlander and Endeavor - all meet the new voluntary design criteria. The purpose of these criteria is to enhance the front-to-front crash compatibility between SUVs and passenger vehicles by promoting better alignment of the front-end energy absorbing structures. Manufacturers have been working to improve this architectural feature by modifying truck frames. The voluntary standard governs structural alignment for the entire light-duty vehicle fleet. While the compatibility initiative has set 2009 as the deadline requiring 100 percent of each manufacturer's vehicle line to comply, Mitsubishi is proud to announce that 100 percent of its applicable vehicle line is now in compliance.

In front-to-side collisions, the model year 2005 Galant, Endeavor and Montero - all equipped with side air bags - meet the new voluntary performance criteria. Front-to-side collisions, where the striking vehicle is a light truck or SUV, represent significant compatibility challenges. The new voluntary performance criteria places a high priority on enhancing the protection of occupants inside vehicles struck in the side. One of the ways to accomplish this is by enhancing head protection of occupants in struck vehicles. These front-to-side safety requirements are not mandated until model year 2007. The model year 2006 Eclipse, which will be equipped with side and curtain air bags and will begin production in April 2005, will meet these same voluntary front-to-side collision criteria.

To evaluate the performance of its vehicles against these industry-led voluntary design and performance safety criteria, Mitsubishi Motors conducted extensive studies and performed actual crash testing. Mitsubishi Motors fully embraces the safety performance criteria embodied in the industry-led effort and remains committed to improving the performance of Mitsubishi vehicles and their safety systems.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of nearly 700 dealers throughout North America. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

# # #