Honda Confirms Mitsubishi Triton-Based Pickup Truck for 2028

Honda and Mitsubishi have signed a memorandum of understanding to introduce a Honda-badged pickup truck based on the Mitsubishi Triton, with sales scheduled to begin in 2028. The agreement marks the first complementary vehicle-supply initiative between the two Japanese automakers. It provides Honda with a quick and cost-effective entry into the pickup segment in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, where it currently has no truck offerings, while allowing Mitsubishi to increase production volumes and improve capacity utilization at its manufacturing plant in Thailand.

Honda has not yet announced a name or shown the design of the upcoming pickup. The vehicle will be built around the rugged ladder-frame architecture of the one-ton Mitsubishi Triton, which is sold in certain markets as the L200. Unlike the unibody Honda Ridgeline sold in North America, this body-on-frame workhorse is engineered for tough roads and heavy-duty work. While it remains unconfirmed whether the truck will feature distinct Honda styling or be a straightforward badge-engineering effort, borrowing Mitsubishi's existing hardware saves significant development time and expense.

In its current form, the Mitsubishi Triton is offered with a 2.4-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine or a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter gasoline engine, with output depending on the market and trim level. The range-topping twin-turbo diesel variant delivers up to 201 horsepower and 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Available hardware includes Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system, a locking rear differential, and seven drive modes for various terrains. Depending on the market, the pickup boasts a maximum towing capacity of up to 3.5 metric tons (7,716 pounds).

This partnership mirrors an existing arrangement in which Mitsubishi supplies the Triton-based Nissan Navara for markets like Australia and New Zealand. It also builds upon the strategic partnership framework signed by Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi in August 2024 to share vehicles, engineering, and manufacturing resources, proving that collaboration continues even after formal Honda-Nissan merger plans were canceled.

The 2028 launch is aimed strictly at the ASEAN market, and there is no confirmation yet on whether the truck will be exported to other regions. However, the pickup is unlikely to reach the United States due to import tariffs on Thai-built vehicles and the 25-percent Chicken Tax on imported light trucks. North American buyers will instead rely on the upcoming next-generation Honda Ridgeline.