CHICAGO - Mitsubishi has high hopes for a trio of new models on display at the Chicago Auto show. But in the midst of struggles in the auto industry, and worries about the economy, only time will tell if consumers will respond. | Video | Photo gallery

Mitsubishi Motors North America unveiled its 2009 Eclipse and Spyder during Thursday's media day. The 2009 Galant, already in some dealer showrooms, also was on display. The auto show opens to the public today at McCormick Place.

Hiroshi Harunari, president and chief executive officer of the California-based headquarters of MMNA, knows the turbulent U.S. stock market means customers are taking a wait-and-see approach to new vehicles. That's why he's reluctant to predict sales for the new models.

Still, Mitsubishi has a purpose in mind as it rolls out new vehicles in a struggling automotive industry.

"We continue to encourage customers to have an interest in Mitsubishi," Harunari said.

Made in Normal

All three vehicles, along with the Endeavor, are produced at Mitsubishi Motors North American plant in Normal. The Eclipse and Spyder will be released in the spring, while an updated Endeavor is expected in dealerships this fall.

The plant celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In that time, MMNA has built nearly 3 million vehicles, including the first Eclipse in 1989 and its 1 millionth vehicle - a 1996 Spyder. Both are on display in Chicago.

"Now we're coming into the next 20 years," Harunari said.

Though Mitsubishi saw increased sales last year while the industry as a whole declined, the Normal plant has had its share of financial struggles. Those peaked in 2004 when the plant eliminated its second shift and laid off 1,200 workers.

More recently, union workers took a $4 wage cut in September 2006 to fund redesigns for the Galant, as well as other 2009 models. United Auto Workers Local 2488 members are due to receive a wage restoration in April, but management last month asked its union to consider a lump-sum payment of about $3,400 instead.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi sold 128,993 vehicles in 2007, a nearly 9 percent increase from the 118,558 sold the previous year. The goal in 2008 is to maintain that level, said Jerry Berwanger, chief operating officer of MMNA's Normal manufacturing division.

"This year is going to be a rough year all over the industry in general," Berwanger said.

Mitsubishi spokesman Dan Irvin said the plant would need consistent production of about 150,000 vehicles before laid-off workers could be brought back to work.

New designs

In the meantime, the company hopes to increase interest with its new models this year, Harunari said, also noting the company's growing success with exports.

The Galant sedan is a strong product for the entire world, agreed Shiro Futaki, president and chief executive officer of the company's manufacturing division. The Eclipse is an appealing, aggressive sports car, he said.

The new design for the Eclipse and its convertible counterpart, the Spyder, focuses on the front and rear features. The front end sits lower, which allows the car to run smoother, said David O'Connell, the company's chief designer. The 18-inch alloy wheels are the same size as its predecessor but have a new, lighter design that improves the car's handling, he said.

Mitsubishi really wanted to "push the aggressiveness" of the Eclipse, O'Connell said.

"This car has wasabi (a spicy Japanese horseradish)," he said.

The Eclipse - and the Galant - are names that easily come to mind when someone mentions Mitsubishi, O'Connell said. The challenge that Mitsubishi now has in a competitive sedan market is to make people aware of the vehicles and get them into dealerships.

"That seals the deal," O'Connell said.

The new Galant is designed to go head-to-head with competitors' family sedans - such as the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord - and win, said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

"The new Galant, in my opinion, is undoubtedly the best looking Galant we've ever produced," Kuhnert said.

The auto show is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today through Feb. 16 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors ages 62 and older and $5 for children ages 7 to 12.

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2009 Mitsubishi Galant

- Offered in four versions: Ralliart; Sport V-6; four-cylinder Sport; and four-cylinder ES.

- Redesigned front hood and grille and rear bumper, tail lights, trunk and back window glass.

- Sport Value Package offers options including power glass sunroof, heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls and Satellite radio.

- New colors include maizen blue pearl, quick silver metallic and canyon beige.

- Began arriving in dealer showrooms last month.

- Base price of about $20,000.

- A correspondent for Edmunds.com described the changes as "modest."

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

- Offered in two versions: 4-cylinder GS and the V-G GT.

- Restyled front and rear bumper. The Eclipse GT model has a large rear spoiler, a new dual exhaust system and a small boost in horsepower (from 263 to 265).

- The Spyder, the convertible version of the Eclipse, also has a restyled front and rear bumper, and the GT also has a new dual exhaust system and a boost in horsepower (from 260 to 265). The car also has new interior cloth fabrics and an optional deluxe leather package for the GS model. The automatic cloth top folds out of sight under a cover in about 19 seconds.

- New colors include maizen blue pearl, quick silver metallic, and solar, a new yellow.

- Scheduled to be released to the public this spring.

- Changes are more minor compared to the 2009 Galant.

- Price expected to begin under $20,000.

SOURCES: Mitsubishi Motors North America, O'Brien Mitsubishi, Edmunds.com