Mitsubishi invests $680 million for Triton, Pajero hybrids
The Thailand factory where Mitsubishi produces the Triton and upcoming Pajero is set to be upgraded for hybrid powertrains.
Mitsubishi is leaning into the rise in demand for hybrid vehicles by making a large investment in the factory where the Triton and its soon-to-be-revealed Pajero are built.
As reported by Nikkei Asia, Mitsubishi Motors Chairman and CEO Takao Kato visited Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul last week to announce the carmaker’s plans to invest an additional 16 billion baht ($682 million) in Thailand by 2030.
The investment is centred around optimising Mitsubishi’s current Thai operations for electrified vehicles, both for production and exports.
Currently the most productive Mitsubishi outpost outside of Japan, Mitsubishi Thailand currently produces a number of export models such as the Triton (twinned with the Nissan Navara), the Pajero Sport (set to be replaced soon by the Pajero), and Mirage.
On top of this, it produces a number of region-specific models, including the Xpander and Xforce, both of which we miss out on in Australia.
It’s understood the recent announcement will centre around developing and producing hybrid versions of the Triton (plus its Navara twin) and the Pajero SUV, given both are among the brand’s best-sellers.
There’s no timeline yet on when the hybrid technology will come to the pair, nor indeed what layout they will feature. Options range from a ‘full-hybrid’ system (where no plug is required to charge the battery), a plug-in hybrid, or a range-extender (where the engine charges the battery).
Jordan Mulach
While hybrid and electric utes were uncommon when the current Triton launched in 2023, the technology has become far more prominent, such as in the BYD Shark 6 (Australia’s best-selling PHEV ever), the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, the Ford Ranger Hybrid (formerly PHEV), JAC Hunter PHEV, plus the upcoming Chery Stockman.
In the case of the Mitsubishi Pajero, it’s already been confirmed the new-generation model will ride on the same body-on-frame platform as the Triton, meaning it’s most likely to launch with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
Fewer of the Pajero’s rivals are available as hybrids, aside from a number of new competitors from China, like the GWM Tank 500 and Denza B5, however the segment is expected to grow.
The new Mitsubishi Pajero will launch later this year.
