Honda and Mitsubishi Motors sign first MOU on complementary supply; Honda pickup based on Triton due in ASEAN in 2028
Honda will add a pickup to its lineup in ASEAN by basing a new model on Mitsubishi's Triton, under the two companies' first-ever agreement to supply vehicles to each other.
- 2028
- August 1, 2024
- one-ton
What Happened
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a Honda model based on the Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck. It is the first initiative between the two companies for complementary supply to each other's product lineups, and the new Honda model is scheduled to go on sale in the ASEAN market in 2028. The two companies said they reached the agreement after determining the collaboration would generate synergies for both.
- Honda will develop a model based on the Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck.
- This is the first initiative between the two companies for complementary supply to each other's product lineups.
- The new Honda model is scheduled to go on sale in the ASEAN market in 2028.
- The Triton is a one-ton pickup built on a robust ladder frame and is one of Mitsubishi Motors' global strategic models, in high demand particularly in ASEAN.
Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors sign an MOU establishing a strategic partnership framework, under which they explore collaboration in various areas, including complementary vehicle supply.
Honda and Mitsubishi Motors sign their first MOU for complementary supply: a Honda model based on the Mitsubishi Triton.
The new Honda pickup model is scheduled to go on sale in the ASEAN market.
- Adds a pickup truck model to its lineup primarily in the ASEAN market, where it does not currently offer pickups, enhancing its lineup quickly and efficiently
- Increases production volume and improves capacity utilization at its production plant in Thailand
The two companies have been exploring collaboration opportunities under the strategic partnership framework agreed in the August 1, 2024 MOU among Honda, Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan. Complementary supply of each other's vehicles is one area the three have been discussing from both short- and medium-to-long-term perspectives, so that each can leverage the others' globally competitive products to enhance its own lineup quickly and efficiently, aligned to the business environment and customer needs in different regions. Going forward, the three companies said they will continue to deepen their strategic partnership to strengthen their competitiveness and ability to meet diverse customer needs while fully utilizing their respective products and technological assets.
Previously from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors has been building out its presence in Southeast Asia. On October 19, 2026, it began selling the all-new Pajero in Thailand, the first market in a global rollout planned to reach approximately 100 countries and regions from fiscal 2027. In August 2026 the company also launched the Outlander PHEV in the Philippines, the first introduction of the current-generation plug-in hybrid in the ASEAN region.
- Mitsubishi starts Pajero sales in Thailand, with roughly 100 markets to follow from fiscal 2027
- Mitsubishi Motors Launches Outlander PHEV in the Philippines, a First for ASEAN
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's official releases.
Why this matters
The MOU turns the three-company strategic partnership involving Nissan into a concrete product plan: Honda, which currently offers no pickups in ASEAN, fills that gap quickly, while Mitsubishi gains volume at its Thai plant. For buyers in Southeast Asia it means another one-ton pickup option arriving in 2028, and for Mitsubishi's Thailand production base a chance to improve capacity utilization.
Terms in This Story
- MOU
- Memorandum of understanding: a formal but typically non-binding agreement setting out what two or more parties intend to do together.
- ASEAN
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional bloc whose member markets are often treated together by automakers selling there.
- ladder frame
- A truck construction in which the body sits on a rigid, ladder-like chassis of two longitudinal rails joined by crossmembers, common for pickups that need strength and load capacity.
- complementary supply
- An arrangement in which one automaker supplies a vehicle or model to another to fill a gap in that partner's lineup, rather than both competing with the same product.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.