Earlier this month, one of the most coveted automotive awards in Russia went to Mitsubishi Motors: as the best car in its category (C-segment), Lancer was voted "Car of the Year in Russia 2005".

This award was established in 2000 by the automotive monthly "Autopanorama" and later was supported by four other strong titles: "5th Wheel" (automotive monthly), "Russian Newsweek", "Kompania" (both business weeklys) and "Men's Health" (Lifestyle monthly).

Readers of these five Russian titles (49,878 voted), selected their best cars in different classes. Competing against the Lancer in its class were all the C-segment models available in Russia (Alfa Romeo 147, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Chevrolet Lacetti, Chevrolet Viva, Citroen Xsara, Daewoo Nexia, Fiat Stilo, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, KIA Cerato, KIA Rio, Mazda 3, Nissan Almera, Opel Astra, Peugeot 307, Renault Megane, Rover 25, Seat Leon, Seat Toledo, Skoda Octavia, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki Liana, Toyota Corolla, VW Beetle, VW Bora, VW Golf, VAZ 2105, VAZ 2110, VAZ 2115, IZH Oda).

"Car Of The Year in Russia 2005" is the third award for the Lancer in Russia which was also voted as the best car of the Russian Motorshow in 2003, by the Russian automotive magazine "Za Rulem" (Behind the Wheel), and "Best Choice" by "Autobobili. Vybor za Vami" (Your Choice) magazine.

During the first quarter of 2005, Rolf Holding, Mitsubishi Motors´ Distributor for Russia, set a record breaking sales result with 11,924 units (+158 %), pushing Russia to the first place in Mitsubishi Motors Europe´s Top Ten.

Mitsubishi Motors moved up from the 5th to 3rd place for overall quarterly sales and overtook Toyota and Ford (including the locally produced Focus).

As a result, Rolf Holding, has become the №1 importer of foreign cars on the Russian market while Lancer is now №1 imported car in Russia.

The right car for the Russian customer, Lancer was launched in Europe at the Moscow Motor Show in August 2003. This model is now Mitsubishi Motors Europe´s second best seller overall after Colt, with 12,923 units sold during the first quarter of 2005, i.e.: + 64.4% over the same period of 2004.