The Federal Parliamentary Leader of the Labor Party, Mr Mark Latham MHR, was pleased to be able to catch up with preparations for Mitsubishi’s all-new large car to be launched in late 2005, when he toured the Company’s Tonsley Park Assembly Plant on Thursday.

Mr Latham, who was in Adelaide as part of a national tour is spending time furthering his understanding of the issues experienced in industries and specific companies. While at Mitsubishi he spent time with both the Company’s senior management and shop floor workers, as well as undertaking a factory tour to inspect the radical changes being made within the assembly plant.

During the factory tour Mr Latham was able to see first-hand the extensive investment ($600 million) being made by Mitsubishi in introducing new technologies, equipment and processes that will ensure that the all-new large car will be the best quality car ever built in Australia.

Mr Latham said that he was assured the preparations for the new car were “on track”, and that the work being undertaken was impressive.

“The commitment of the Company management, and the passion of the shop-floor workers really impressed me, and from what I learned today I believe the all-new large Mitsubishi car will turn the Company’s fortunes around,” Mr Latham said.

Mitsubishi Motors President and CEO, Mr Tom Phillips, said that, due to tight time schedules, it had unfortunately not been possible for Mr Latham to visit the Company’s plants before. However, he was sure that today’s meeting and tour had been “very informative and worthwhile” for all parties.