December 2003 results
Total global production in December was 118,641 units, down 9.6 percent from December 2002.

Production in Japan slipped 17.5 percent on year to 59,802 units as the company eased off production of the Colt compact car compared to last December when production was in full swing following the car's November 11 launch. Production of commercial vehicles, meanwhile, continued to climb—jumping 27.5 percent on year—on strong sales of the Minicab Truck and Minicab Van.

Offshore production remained relatively flat for the month with a 0.2 percent increase to 58,839 units. By area, Asia posted a 15 percent gain to 40,034 units, North America declined 32.7 percent to 9,438 units, and Europe grew 10.5 percent to 5,828 units.

Domestic sales continued the recent trend of year-on-year growth, expanding 8.4 percent to 29,680 units. MMC's share of the domestic market for the month was 6.8 percent, up from 6.4 percent last December.

Exports from Japan were off 6.7 percent at 43,927 units. By region, exports to Asia totaled 5,658 units, North America 15,192 units, and Europe 10,509 units. As a result of the spin-off of MMC's truck and bus operations in January 2003, regional year-on-year comparisons are not available due to a change in the system used to tally exports.

Calendar year 2003 results
Worldwide production for 2003 slipped 5.7 percent to 1,580,167 units, which is mainly attributable to an easing off of production in North America to bring inventory levels back to an appropriate level.

Production in Japan for the year declined 3.4 percent compared to last year at 749,371 units. Lower export volumes of the Montero and Montero Sport* to North America contributed to the decline in domestic production.

Overseas production also declined on year, down 7.7 percent to 830,796 units. By region, Asia saw a 4.2 percent decline to 520,925 units, North America dropped 14.9 percent to 173,822 units, and Europe declined 4.9 percent to 82,653 units.

Sales in Japan showed steady performance throughout 2003 to finish the year with 367,040 units, up 3.4 percent on the year before. Marking the first rise in domestic unit sales since 1995, the gain comes on the back of the introduction of the Colt compact car and Grandis minivan. The return to growth is also a positive signal for MMC's ongoing reforms of its domestic dealer network, which calls for a complete overall of outlets based on a stringent set of dealer standards.

Exports were down for the first time in two years, slipping 6.2 percent to 389,947 units. Exports to Asia totaled 52,485 units, North America 116,418 units, and Europe 97,301 units. As with monthly results, year-on-year comparisons are not available for the calendar year either due to the spin-off of MMC's truck and bus operations.

*Also known as Pajero and Pajero Sport

			December 2003		Fiscal Year 2003 ('03/4-'03/12)		Calendar Year 2003 ('03/1-'03/12)
			Volume	YoY Chg. (%)	Volume	YoY Chg. (%)	Volume	YoY Chg. (%)
Domestic Production	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		51,923 7,879	78.3 127.5	468,036 77,987	93.2 128.0	645,525 103,846	94.2 114.4
	Total		59,802	82.5	546,023	97.0	749,371	96.6
Domestic Sales *	Passenger Cars	Registrations Minicars	9,016 13,175	69.7 143.9	74,414 104,179	126.1 94.4	117,443 153,061	131.8 91.3
		Total	22,191	100.4	178,593	105.4	270,504	105.4
	Commercial Vehicles	Registrations Minicars	1,800 5,689	122.6 149.0	15,052 54,716	88.7 111.1	21,580 74,956	83.3 103.8
		Total	7,489	141.6	69,768	105.4	96,536	98.4
	Registrations Total		10,816	75.1	89,466	117.8	139,023	120.9
	Minicars Total		18,864	145.4	158,895	99.5	228,017	95.1
	Grand Total		29,680	108.4	248,361	105.4	367,040	103.4
Exports	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		42,632 1,295	93.6 82.7	274,642 10,974	88.4 90.9	375,056 14,891	93.5 100.2
	Total		43,927	93.3	285,616	88.5	389,947	93.8
Production	Domestic Production Overseas Production		59,802 58,839	82.5 100.2	546,023 602,950	97.0 85.8	749,371 830,796	96.6 92.3
	Total Production		118,641	90.4	1,148,973	90.4	1,580,167	94.3