Mitsubishi has found a strategic advantage by allowing its Triton to serve as the foundation for the new Navara in Australia. This move means that Nissan will now be able to produce an American pickup based on its upcoming next-gen Frontier. The new Mitsubishi model will be built alongside the Nissan in America, with plans for a major overhaul of the Frontier set to arrive in 2028. A new platform is expected to underpin not only the Frontier but also Nissan’s next-gen XTerra 4×4 for the American market.
Current information about the next-gen Nissan platform suggests it may incorporate both V6 power (similar to the incoming Patrol SUV) and also include a plug-in hybrid variant. This development could position the new models to compete more effectively in the evolving automotive landscape.
Key Developments
- 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero goes official: New flagship 4WD confirmed for Australia this year as a new ground-up rival to the 2026 Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.
- Nissan to build V6 hybrid Prado rival
- 2026 Mitsubishi Triton Raider dual-cab ute ‘just the first step’ towards Ford Ranger Raptor-rivalling, hybrid-boosted Ralliart version
For Mitsubishi, this is part of a broader strategy to split its model range into two distinct groups as it seeks a new identity within the realigned Renault/Nissan alliance. One group will focus on South East Asian (ASEAN) markets, featuring models like the XForce, Xpander, and Destinator. The other group will target higher margin markets such as Australia and the US, which Mitsubishi refers to as the ‘Off-road group’.
This realignment will lead to the launch of a total of 13 new models by 2031, with seven of these aimed at the off-road group. At least three new models are already known: the Frontier-based pick-up, the newly announced new-generation Pajero based on the Triton, and the long-hinted next-generation Delica people mover based on the Delica D:X Concept shown in 2023.
Strategic Moves
Mitsubishi’s local GM of Product Strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel, mentioned during the launch of its Aussie-upgraded Triton Raider that the brand was considering options for the over-3500GVM category. However, it seems unlikely that this would involve a completely new American-sourced model.
Instead, he suggested that Mitsubishi might consider either factory or licensed local upgrades for something more heavy-duty than what the Triton range currently offers. Additionally, it appears that Nissan may not build its American-market Frontier in right-hand drive as part of its new ladder-frame platform overhaul. Instead, it might opt to import the Chinese-built Frontier Pro model as a Navara/Triton alternative, exclusive to Australia as a plug-in hybrid.
This model would be well-positioned to be competitively priced, offering the capability of the GWM Cannon Alpha while aiming to replicate the breakthrough success of the BYD Shark 6.
In the meantime, Mitsubishi will be focused on launching its next-generation Pajero full-size SUV as a new rival to the Toyota Prado, and the launch of its fully electric joint-venture SUV with Taiwan’s Foxconn, both due before the end of 2026.
Locally, Mitsubishi has experienced the impact of more affordable Chinese brands encroaching on its market, with the brand down over 25 per cent this year. However, there are promising signs for the Japanese giant, with its Triton sales increasing significantly year-on-year as welcome updates flow through and new variants are added to its lineup.
Interestingly, the brand is acutely aware of the challenges it faces across the disparate markets it operates in. It has even shown a slide that plotted its market positioning against the “market-entry difficulty for Chinese OEMs”, highlighting Australia as a ‘turn around market’ with high perceived brand value for Mitsubishi, but a low bar-to-entry for affordable Chinese rivals.
