Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that it expects production of its revolutionary GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) eco-engine to top 200,000 units in the first part of February. Production of the GDI engine, which realizes major reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and in fuel consumption, began in May 1996.

GDI engine production: May 1996 - February 1998

GDI engine production landmarks

Of all the various environmental problems, the connection between carbon dioxide and global warming is causing more concern than any other and the proceedings at COP3 held in Kyoto, Japan last December were followed with great interest by people the world over.

Mitsubishi Motors recognizes Japan's obligation to show strong leadership by adopting, in all fields of industry, concrete measures for improving the global environment. In order to actively deal with the carbon dioxide problem, Mitsubishi Motors became the first auto manufacturer to develop for practical use the GDI eco-engine, which substantially reduces carbon dioxide emissions. The company is convinced that engines incorporating GDI technology will provide the main source of propulsion for gasoline automobiles in the 21st century. To this end, the company is focused on promoting its widespread use by increasing the number of GDI-powered production models.

More specifically, some 95 percent of all models in the GALANT series launched in August 1996 are powered by the GDI engine and the percentage of GDI-powered models in the LEGNUM station wagon series launched at the same time has risen quickly and currently exceeds 70 percent.

In 1997, the company introduced 3.5-liter V6 GDI-powered models in the PAJERO and CHALLENGER series, these accounting for 60 percent and 80 percent respectively of models in the lineup. The company also introduced a 3.0-liter V6 GDI engine in the DIAMANTE series, which is now offered only with GDI engines. All models in the new CHARIOT GRANDIS series are powered by a 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder GDI engine, while some 80 percent of models in the all-new RVR series are powered by 1.8-liter or 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder GDI engines.

In October last year, the company launched a 1.8-liter GDI-powered CARISMA model produced at NedCar in Holland where, as in the rest of Europe, concern over the relationship between carbon dioxide and global warming is very high. At the end of last year, the company also started to supply Volvo Car Corporation with GDI engines for the S40 and V40 models that are also produced at the NedCar plant. (GDI-powered Volvo models are due to go on sale in the first half of 1998).

The company intends to aggressively increase the ratio of GDI-powered models in lineups sold in Japan and Europe.

Mitsubishi Motors is committed to contributing to the prevention of carbon dioxide-related global warming by offering the GDI engine more extensively in its global markets, as well as to actively taking other measures to deal with global environment problems.