"Expanding our Illinois manufacturing operation is part of our commitment to design and build more vehicles in North America," said MMNA Chairman and CEO Pierre Gagnon. "We're entering the next phase of our North American growth strategy by launching more new products and increasing our investment in the region."

The plant expansion will support the production of Endeavor, and other future Mitsubishi products riding the same all-new platform, including the next-generation Galant mid-sized sedan that will be unveiled next month at the New York International Auto Show.

The announcement comes as Mitsubishi Motors continues evaluating additional plans for increasing local production of vehicles sold in the North American market. The company is studying further options for increasing capacity that could include utilizing available production capacity at one of alliance partner DaimlerChrysler North American plants, expanding the Illinois facility even further or potentially building a new plant, with a decision expected by this summer.

"Our goal is to produce more vehicles in the markets where they are sold," said Rolf Eckrodt, MMC President and CEO. "Adding capacity makes sense based on the success of the Mitsubishi Motors brand in the United States and our continuing expansion throughout North America."

Mitsubishi Motors achieved an 81 percent increase in U.S. sales over the past four years and is working toward further growth in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico by 2007. Mitsubishi-brand vehicles went on sale for the first time in Canada in September 2002 and in Mexico in January 2003.

The company expects to break ground on the expansion in April and complete construction in fall of 2004.

"This expansion is a testament to the hard work of our employees, the quality of our manufacturing process and the commitment of our company to the North American market," said MMNA Manufacturing Division President and COO Rich Gilligan. "This is great news for our company and the state of Illinois."

Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich praised the company's decision to increase investment in Central Illinois.

"Illinois and Mitsubishi Motors are working together to bring jobs and economic opportunity to the state," Gov. Blagojevich said. "I applaud Mitsubishi for its commitment to Illinois and to the hard working men and women who make an exemplary product at the Normal plant."