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Mitsubishi rolls out new Triton pickup [w/videos]

Tue, 18 Nov 2014


Of all the automakers producing pickup trucks these days, even among just the Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi might not spring to mind first. But maybe it should. The Diamond-Star company has been in the game now for 36 years, selling over four million pickups around the world. These days that comes down principally to the Triton, of which it sold over a third of a million units last year alone for a total of over 1.2 million produced since its introduction in 2005. Now, after nine years on the market, Mitsubishi has launched a new version.

Clearly drawing its stylistic influence (if not the hybrid powertrain) from the GR-HEV concept Mitsubishi showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the new Triton aims to combine "the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup." It's more stylish, more comfortable and safer than the model it replaces, and comes in an array of configurations.

Buyers of the new Triton (known in some markets as the L200, among other nameplates it's worn over the years) will be able to choose between Single, Double and Club Cab variants. Powertrain choices will vary by market, but will be based around three engines: a 2.4-liter gasoline unit, a 2.5-liter turbodiesel and a new 2.4-liter turbodiesel with electronic valve timing.

Like the model it replaces, the new Triton will be manufactured at Mitsubishi's plant in Laem Chabang, Thailand. It's being rolled out domestically at first before being exported to some 150 markets around the world... pretty much every market but North America, where Mitsubishi has reportedly considered manufacturing the Triton but has, as of yet, made no such move. So you'll just have to check it out in the high-res image gallery above, and the pair of videos (sadly available at the moment only in Thai) accompanying the press release below.



Tokyo, November 18, 2014

Mitsubishi Motors Launches All-new Triton Pickup Truck in Thailand
- Long-time best seller gets first redesign in nine years -

Tokyo, November 18, 2014 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the all-new Triton one-ton pickup truck - one of its long-time global best-sellers - in Thailand today. The all-new Triton gets its full redesign in nine years and is produced at Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd.'s*1 Laem Chabang Plant. The all-new Triton (Thai market version) went on sale in Thailand today as well, and as with its predecessor, after the Thai launch MMC plans to roll out the all-new Triton sequentially in ASEAN, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America, eventually exporting it to some 150 countries.

*1: MMC's exclusive producer and distributor in Thailand

About the all-new Triton

The all-new Triton was been developed to be the "Ultimate Sport Utility Truck," combining the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup.

Muscular, sleek and dynamic styling which evokes the form of a well-honed athlete, the all-new Triton also provides generous interior space, ample payload capacity, and class-leading handling. The all-new Triton achieves high levels of safety performance through its durable and sturdy chassis and frame structures along with MMC's own RISE*2 impact safety body. The all-new Triton also delivers quietness and ride comfort on a par with a passenger car thanks to a new diesel engine, optimization of the suspension, the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials.

The all-new Triton is available in Single Cab, Double Cab and Club Cab variants, with a three-engine lineup. A new 2.4-liter MIVEC*3 turbo diesel which provides environmental and motive performance among the best in its class joins improved versions of the well-proven 2.5-liter turbo diesel and 2.4-liter gasoline engines used to power its predecessor.

The all-new Triton accommodates the varying needs and requirements of consumers, everything from commercial to private use as cab type, engine, drivetrain and functional equipment specifications will be optimized for each region it is to be sold in.

*2: Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution
*3: Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic control system


History of Pickup Trucks

MMC has been producing pickups for 36 years since 1978, selling over four million units worldwide. Pickup truck manufacturing focused on Thailand from the third-generation model and the all-new Triton marks the fifth-generation model.

The Laem Chabang Plant is steadily growing into Mitsubishi Motors' major global production hub, boasting MMC's largest production scale with accumulated production and exports of 3.5 million and 2.5 million units respectively.

Comment by Chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko

At the launch ceremony MMC Chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko described the importance of the all-new Triton: "The previous Triton was launched in August of 2005 and has sold a total of 1,260,000 units worldwide as of September of this year. The Triton is one of our most important products since it contributed the most to our revitalization. Just as the previous Triton did we expect the all-new Triton to continue to be our core model, contributing to improving our corporate value and sustainable growth in the future."

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Profile



January 1987

Head office:

88 Moo, Phaholyothin Road, Klongnueng, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120

Laem Chabang factory:

199, Moo 3, Laem Chabang Industrial Estates, Tungsukhla, Sriracha, Chonburi, 20230

Representative director:

Mr. Masahiko Ueki, President and CEO

Capitalization:

7 billion THB

Employees:

7,530 (approx.)

Models produced:

Factory #1


Lancer EX, Pajero Sport (Montero Sport/Nativa)

Factory #2

Triton (L200/Strada), Pajero Sport (Montero Sport/Nativa)

Factory #3

Mirage (Space Star), Attrage (Mirage G4)



MMTh Production / Sales / Exports

(Units)



FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

Production

(Pickup trucks)

221,450

147,542

393,910

185,670

339,319

143,947

Sales

(Pickup trucks)

73,949

47,319

141,921

59,491

85,199

35,749

Exports

(Pickup trucks)

146,247

98,952

229,689

120,770

250,693

107,386

By Noah Joseph


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