Mitsubishi Motors to add Harunari to North American leadership

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) President Osamu Masuko today announced that Hiroshi Harunari will be appointed President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA), effective January 1, 2006, joining Rich Gilligan, who will continue as co-President and co-CEO, to lead the company.

Mr. Harunari has been Managing Director of Overseas Operations for MMC since April 2005. Gilligan has led MMNA since January 2005 when he was promoted from Chief Operating Officer of the company's North American manufacturing division.

Mitsubishi Motors has assembled a North American management team of industry professionals that have developed and executed a product-led recovery strategy, including the successful launches of new models such as the Eclipse coupe, with four additional product launches over the next 20 months. "North America's extremely competitive and ever-changing automotive market environment requires MMC's direct support and management presence on the ground in North America," Masuko said.

"Success in North America - with all of its complexity and challenges - is essential to MMC's global success," Masuko said. "Mr. Gilligan and his team have put us on the road to regaining success here. By adding Mr. Harunari to our North American team, we are further focusing alignment between MMC and MMNA's strategic approaches, to ensure timely communication between MMC and MMNA, concerning not only sales and marketing, but also R&D and production operations, so that we can quickly and effectively meet the requirements of this dynamic marketplace."

"We are pleased that MMC is sending this clear message of their continued commitment to support MMNA's growth," Gilligan said. "I have worked closely with Mr. Harunari over the past several months and look forward to the opportunity to strengthen our partnership. His passion and vast international experience will be a tremendous addition to our efforts in North America."