Honda is set to introduce an entirely new ladder-frame pickup truck, built upon the robust platform of the Mitsubishi Triton. This unnamed vehicle, anticipated for launch in 2028 or later, marks the inaugural OEM partnership between Honda and Mitsubishi.
The new pickup will be manufactured by Mitsubishi in Thailand and distributed through Honda's dealership network, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. It is expected to go on sale in Southeast Asia, a region where mid-size pickup trucks are popular, with other export markets also under consideration.
This collaboration allows Honda to strategically enter the competitive off-road utility vehicle segment without incurring the substantial research and development costs associated with building a ladder-frame platform from scratch. While Honda currently offers the Ridgeline in North America, that model utilizes a unibody platform shared with the Pilot SUV, differing significantly from the rugged, body-on-frame design of the upcoming pickup.
In ASEAN countries, Honda's new pickup will compete against its 'twin' Mitsubishi Triton, as well as established rivals such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Nissan Navara, alongside a growing number of new models from Chinese manufacturers. For Mitsubishi, adding a third model to its Laem Chabang plant in Thailand will enable better utilization of economies of scale, similar to how Nissan currently distributes a Triton-derived Navara in Australia, featuring its own exterior design and suspension tuning.
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Honda's new pickup will share a chassis with Mitsubishi Triton. *Photo: Honda, Mitsubishi* |
While the extent of modifications Honda plans to implement for its branded pickup remains undisclosed, it is highly probable that the vehicle will incorporate Honda's distinctive design language atop the shared ladder-frame platform.
Given the projected launch timeline, Honda's pickup may be developed based on a lifecycle update of the Mitsubishi Triton, potentially opening avenues for a hybrid powertrain option, possibly shared with its platform sibling, the Mitsubishi Pajero.
The current generation Triton is equipped with a 2,4 diesel engine, delivering 148 horsepower and 181 horsepower with a single turbocharger, or 201 horsepower with a twin-turbo system. Depending on the configuration, power is transmitted to the rear axle or all 4 wheels, with higher-end variants featuring the advanced Super Select 4WD-II active 4-wheel drive system.
Beyond the upcoming pickup truck, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are actively discussing shared electronic control units (ECU) for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as the standardization of software. Honda and Mitsubishi are also exploring opportunities for sharing additional vehicle models and collaboratively developing digital cockpits. There is also potential for Nissan to produce US-market pickup trucks for both Honda and Mitsubishi at its Canton plant in Mississippi.
My Anh (according to Carscoops)
