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Mitsubishi strikes a deal
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January 15, 1997: 10:36 a.m. ET
Jackson helps broker multi-million dollar economic development plan
From Correspondent Allan Dodds Frank
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- On the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth, Mitsubishi Motors is outlining an economic development plan to help women and minorities.
Working with women's and civil rights groups, Mitsubishi has agreed to provide several hundred million dollars in economic development programs.
The Japanese car maker also agrees to increase hiring and promotions of women and minorities at its American operations.
"The agreement will involve a commitment over a three- to five-year period for more employment, a commitment to end a hostile work environment for women as well as economic development in terms of car dealerships and use of professional services," said Rev. Jesse Jackson of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
The deal will end a boycott planned against Mitsubishi that began after the automaker faced charges of widespread sexual and racial harassment.
Jackson praised American manufacturers, noting that General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. each already buy more than $1 million worth of services from minority businesses and are committed to increasing minority dealerships.
"While we challenge the Big Three in Detroit, until now, the foreign import market has played by a different set of rules," Jackson said. "They have been very unaccountable."
"They have been very insensitive," he said "They have not been good trading partners."
Right now, Lexus has only one minority-owned dealership, while Mercedes has two and Honda has three.
For overseas car companies, the deal with Mitsubishi should increase pressure on them to include minorities and women in their businesses -- not just target them as consumers.
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