Honda could enter the midsize pickup market with a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton, expanding its Southeast Asian lineup as early as 2028.
Honda may soon have a midsize pickup in its Southeast Asian lineup, but it won't necessarily develop the truck itself. According to Yomiuri Shimbun, Mitsubishi could build a version of its Triton/L200 for Honda, giving the automaker a body-on-frame truck without the expense of developing an entirely new model.
The report cites sources familiar with the discussions, although neither company has officially confirmed the arrangement. If the deal moves forward, Honda-badged trucks could begin reaching dealerships in 2028.
Production would reportedly take place at Mitsubishi's factory in Thailand. The report doesn't specify which markets Honda intends to target or whether the truck would receive styling changes beyond its new badges.
For Honda, the arrangement would offer a way into a segment that already has a strong presence across Southeast Asia. Mitsubishi's Triton has an established reputation in the region, and its Thai plant has the capacity to increase production to accommodate additional orders.
The latest Triton/L200 was redesigned from the ground up in 2023. The model is known as the L200 in Europe.
Honda wouldn't be the only automaker to use Mitsubishi's pickup as the basis for another vehicle. Nissan has introduced its own rebadged version, the D27-generation Navara.
In Australia, that Mitsubishi-based Navara comes exclusively with a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It is a different vehicle from the Navara Pro PHEV, a Chinese-built pickup derived from the Dongfeng Z9.
Mitsubishi developed a new chassis, suspension system, and powertrain for the latest Triton. The front suspension uses double wishbones, while leaf springs at the rear support the truck's work-focused design. Mitsubishi also refined its turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, reducing friction losses while increasing output.
For Honda, buying a vehicle from an established manufacturer could be a more practical option than starting from scratch. Developing a new platform, validating the design, establishing production, and securing suppliers would require a substantial investment in a segment the company might not pursue over the long term.
A supply agreement would allow Honda to sell the pickup through its own dealership network while relying on Mitsubishi's existing engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The arrangement could also leave Honda with more research and development funding for its next-generation hybrid powertrains and vehicles, which require substantial development and production investment.
A Mitsubishi-based pickup would mark a significant departure for Honda, which has never offered a midsize body-on-frame truck. Working with Mitsubishi could give the company a better understanding of the segment before deciding whether to develop a truck of its own in the future.
For now, the proposal remains unconfirmed. The most affordable Mitsubishi Triton available in Australia is the single-cab GLX with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Including an unpaired steel tray, its listed drive-away price is AUD 41,990, or approximately USD 29,330 at current exchange rates.