Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) said calendar year 2018 sales volume rose 18% to 1,218,897 units.
"The figures prove the company still has strong momentum behind its V-shaped recovery plan, with double-digit percentage increases in both domestic and overseas markets," MMC said in a statement.
New products including the Eclipse Cross SUV and revised Outlander PHEV saw sales in Japan grow 14% from 91,630 to 104,611. Overseas sales rose 19% to 1,114,286.
Export markets also showed strong growth, with the United States up 14% to 118,075 units and western Europe 19% to 178,414. A highlight was a 64% increase in France (to 7,303 units). Eastern Europe saw the greatest percentage growth – an increase of 79% versus CY 2017, in particular Russia with 45,391 sales, up 87% from the previous year.
The ASEAN business saw the greatest regional rise with sales up 35% to 322,284. Indonesia was the main driver of this growth, with 146,805 sales – a massive 84% increase pushed by the success of the Xpander compact MPV. Mitsubishi Motors opened a new assembly plant in Indonesia during 2017 to build the new model. Sales in Indonesia have risen by 118% in the past two years.
Other strong performances came from Thailand, with sales up 21% to 84,560, Vietnam (+60% to 10,969) and Malaysia (up 32% to 9,261).
Trevor Mann, chief operating officer, said: "Our strong performances in 2018 are proof that our Drive For Growth plan to lead Mitsubishi to a sustainable recovery is working. We continue to be exceptionally strong in the ASEAN region, and are also seeing pleasing growth in other key markets as new products reach customers and our SUV and EV offerings become increasingly relevant and attractive."
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