Mitsubishi, once the poster child for how to kill an auto company, is on the rebound. Bloomberg reports that Mitsu posted a 14 percent gain in global sales during the last financial quarter. That's higher then even Toyota, who only posted a 3.4 percent gain. Proving there's life after [Chrysler's] bad management and marketing decisions, covering up quality issues and offering lackluster products, the company showed their first profit in three years for the 12 months ending March 31. Mitsu credits "re-establishing public trust and boosting quality" for the recovery. While sales are climbing on the world scene, it's a different matter on the home front. Sales in Japan are down 16 percent, reflecting an aging population and shrinking market. Come to think of it, this all sounds like a couple of American manufacturers whose overseas sales are keeping the home-market operation afloat.. Huh.

Automotive News [AN sub] reports that Bernd Osterloh, the chief works council representative at VW, asked Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking for a seat on the board of the newly-created Porsche Automobil Holding SE. The request which reflects the fact that Porsche now owns a 30.9 percent stake in Volkswagen. Wiedeking considered the request for just under femtosecond before rejecting it. In fact, Porsche's decision to place their VW stock in an European holding company was designed to avoid just such an eventuality. While German-incorporated companies have strict rules mandating employee participation, European companies have… none. But hey, you can't blame a guy for asking. 

If you're trying to decide whether or not to buy a new car, the Wall Street Journal has a bit of advice: wait. Citing experts from Consumer Reports and Edumunds, they're projecting increased incentives as sales continue to drop and the model year winds down. They also note that some of the 2008 models are being introduced with incentives already attached, which is good for you, bad for their makers. If that bit of advice isn't enough to send the beancounters at The Big 2.8 and Toyondissan running for the Excedrin, their conclusion surely will: "Then again, given the prognosis for the housing market and its effect on consumer budgets, it might simply be wiser to wait. If you've had your car for five years or less, chances are it still has many healthy miles ahead."

CNNMoney reports that Volkswagen is considering moving their North American headquarters from Auburn Hills (MI) to an as-yet-undetermined location on the east coast. A "high-level manager in U.S. operations" says the company's considering the move because VeeDub's suits have trouble getting direct flights in and out of Detroit, and potential recruits are not exactly clamoring to move to Motown. Also in the mix: VW's thinking about building a second North American plant. Taking a lead out of Nissan's Nashville songbook, the German automaker might be looking to get management, marketing and manufacturing within eyesight of each other. Fearing another exodus like Comerica or Pfizer, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's office said Tuesday the state is "in touch" with Volkswagen, but declined to "comment on rumors." If that changes, we'd welcome Jenny's shout out below.