Honda confirms Mitsubishi Triton-based ute for Southeast Asia in 2028

Key takeaways

• Honda and Mitsubishi signed an MOU for a Triton-based Honda ute
• Built in Thailand, it goes on sale across Southeast Asia in 2028
• Honda has not confirmed Australian launch, pricing or specifications

Honda has confirmed it will sell a new ute based on the Mitsubishi Triton, with sales across Southeast Asia from 2028. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, with Mitsubishi to build the vehicle at its Laem Chabang plant in Thailand.

Honda has not announced a name for the ute or how many it plans to sell. It has also not said whether the ute will go to any markets outside the ASEAN region.

Honda gets a ladder-frame ute

Honda’s only ute today is the Ridgeline, a unibody pickup built on the Pilot SUV platform and sold in North America. The Triton-based model gives Honda a ladder-frame pickup in Southeast Asia, where it will compete with the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.

Honda Ridgeline

Honda says the deal lets it expand its line-up quickly and efficiently. Mitsubishi gets higher production volume and better use of its Thai factory. It is the first time the two companies have supplied vehicles to each other in this way, and it follows a 2024 agreement between Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan to explore collaboration.

Nissan already does the same thing. The Triton-based Nissan Navara launched earlier this year with its own front end, headlights and tail-lights. Honda has not said how different its version will look from the Triton.

Will the Honda ute come to Australia?

Honda Australia has not confirmed a local launch, pricing or specifications. Laem Chabang already builds right-hand-drive vehicles, including the Triton and the Navara sold here, but Honda has only committed to Southeast Asia. Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported earlier this month that Honda was considering other markets, though the company has not confirmed any.

Honda is yet to reveal the ute’s name, powertrains or design. Australian buyers will need to wait for the company to confirm whether the ute will be sold here ahead of its 2028 launch in Southeast Asia.