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Mitsubishi refreshes the Triton truck for 2019

In September, Mitsubishi showed a teaser image of the new, redesigned Triton/L200 truck that refreshes the model originally introduced in 2014. Now, the new truck is here, except not here in the sense of being sold in the United States. Alas, we can hope. The new Triton/L200 is a global truck in the sense that it'll be sold in some 150 countries around the world, from Europe to Africa and Oceania, the Middle East and Latin America, but North America isn't part of the plan. Sales start Nov. 17 in Thailand, where the truck is built. Some 180,000 global yearly sales are planned. Looking at the photos released by Mitsubishi, the truck's nose has gained the new corporate styling direction that can also be seen on the Outlander, the Eclipse Cross, and even the re-facelifted Lancer that is sold in some countries. The front design is called "Dynamic Shield" in corporate Mitsubishi language, pointing to the more pronounced grille-intake combo with chrome effect. Otherwise, the basics of the Triton remain as before, with the truck likely to keep the time-honored 4G64 2.4-liter gasoline engine and two inline four diesel options. There are two 4WD systems on offer, either Super Select or Easy Select. Like we said in September, the small truck segment is hotly contested in the U.S. right now, and the Triton, were it sold in the States, would compete against the Tacoma, the Colorado and the Canyon, the Ford Ranger, and a possible Ram truck that would slot underneath the 1500. But the 25 percent Chicken Tax it's subjected to as a foreign-built truck makes it impossible to compete. The currently sold Ranger T6 is originally of Australian design, and as well as being made in Michigan it is also produced in Thailand like the Triton. Related Video:

Carlos Ghosn's arrest casts doubt on future of Renault-Nissan alliance

For years, France's Renault and Japan's Nissan struggled to make money in the global auto business. Then came Carlos Ghosn, a Renault executive who helped to orchestrate an unprecedented transcontinental alliance, combining parts of both companies to share engineering and technology costs. Now Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial improprieties at Nissan could put the nearly 20-year-old alliance in jeopardy. Ghosn, 64, born in Brazil, schooled in France and of Lebanese heritage, is set to be ousted this week from his spot as Nissan chairman. He could also lose his roles as CEO and chairman of Renault, threatening the alliance formed in 1999 that's now selling more than 10 million automobiles a year. He's been "the glue that holds Renault and Nissan together," Bernstein analyst Max Warburton wrote in a note to investors. "It is hard not to conclude that there may be a gulf opening up between Renault and Nissan." In fact, Nissan's investigation into alleged misconduct by Ghosn is expanding to include Renault-Nissan finances, sources told Reuters — in a further sign that Nissan may seek to loosen its French parent's hold on their global carmaking alliance. Nissan told Renault's board on Monday it had evidence of potential wrongdoing at Renault-Nissan BV, the Dutch venture overseeing alliance operations under Renault's ultimate control, three people with knowledge of the matter said. Renault's board planned to meet Tuesday to discuss Ghosn's fate. "Carlos Ghosn is no longer in a position where he is capable of leading Renault," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told France Info radio, calling on Renault's board to meet "in the coming hours" to set up an interim management structure. The French government owns 15 percent in Renault and has a say in its operations. Nissan's board is to meet Thursday to consider Ghosn's fate. Nissan has said it will dismiss Ghosn after he was arrested for allegedly abusing company funds and misreporting his income. That opens up a leadership void at the entire alliance, for which Ghosn officially still serves as CEO and chairman. Ghosn added Mitsubishi to the alliance two years ago after the tiny automaker was caught in a gas-mileage cheating scandal. Renault owns 43.4 percent of Nissan, which owns 15 percent of Renault, with no voting rights in a partnership that began in 1999. Since 2016, Nissan has held a 34 percent controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motor Corp.

2023 Mitsubishi Triton coming after the Ford Ranger overseas

The next-generation Mitsubishi Triton is coming soon to a trail near you — assuming you live outside of the United States. Known as the L200 in some global markets, the truck was shaped by a new, more rugged-looking design language that Mitsubishi calls "Beast Mode." Dark preview images published by the Japanese brand depict a pickup that has been reinvented from the ground up. While the current Triton features rather unusual proportions characterized by a slanted shut line and a super-sized rear overhang, its successor looks a little more conventional, though we'll make the final call when we see it in the metal. We spot a tall, upright front end with LED accents that Mitsubishi describes as "resembling the sharp gaze of a hawk" and a rectangular grille with both "Mitsubishi" lettering and the company's emblem. 2023 Mitsubishi Triton View 4 Photos We're curious to find out what's under the sheet metal. Mitsubishi recently expanded its European range with badge-engineered Renault models, such as the Clio-based Colt. Nothing suggests that the Triton is a badge-engineered version of another truck, and the current-generation Nissan Navara (which is unrelated to our Frontier) is likely too old to provide its platform. Could it be the other way around? Mitsubishi is part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, and the group strives to achieve economies of scale, so the Triton could also preview the next Navara. Of course, this is pure speculation. Nothing is official at this stage, and Mitsubishi isn't ready to release technical details. It hasn't published images of the interior yet, but a preview video embedded above suggests that upmarket models will receive a free-standing touchscreen for the infotainment system and a dial to select one of the transfer case's different options. Broadly speaking, we're expecting that the next Triton will offer a more SUV-like interior to reflect the fact that, even outside of America, buyers are increasingly using pickups as daily drivers. Mitsubishi will unveil the next-generation Triton in Thailand, where the model will be built, on July 26. The truck will be sold in a long list of nations, including several countries in Latin America and in the Middle East, but it doesn't sound like it will be offered in the United States. Elsewhere, the Triton will compete in an increasingly crowded ring against the Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok, and the Toyota Hilux. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party.