(May 4, 2011) CYPRESS, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Mitsubishi has not had much of a presence in the U.S. for years, but the Japanese automaker can take some solace in 2011 sales.

Sales are up 60 percent for the year after sales of 8,081 units in April, which represented a 106 percent increase compared to April 2010. 

It was Mitsubishi's largest month of sales in two-and-a-half years (August 2008) and the eighth consecutive month that the company has achieved a year-over-year sales increase. 

"We're particularly pleased that we're showing increases month after month. Sustained progress is very important," said Mitsubishi Motors North America President & CEO Yoichi Yokozawa.  "We will launch a new advertising campaign for Outlander and Outlander Sport this month to increase this tremendous momentum."

Outlander Sport strong seller for Mitsubishi

Outlander Sport sales continue to grow. There were 1,402 units sold in April, marking the seventh consecutive month of sales growth since the introduction of the fuel-efficient CUV last October. 

Yokozawa added, "We're also experiencing wonderful response to our exciting, all-new, all-electric Mitsubishi 'i' which will go on sale later this year." Yokozawa says MMNA has received more than 300 pre-orders for the vehicle since the process launched April 22.