Mitsubishi Motors to Launch ASX VR-e Battery EV in Australia and New Zealand This Year
Mitsubishi Motors will launch its all-new ASX VR-e battery electric SUV in Australia and New Zealand in 2026, with production supplied by Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron.
- 2 (Australia and New Zealand)
- 2026
- 2026-08-17
What Happened
Mitsubishi Motors announced on August 17, 2026 that it will launch sales of the all-new ASX VR-e, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), in the Australian and New Zealand markets in 2026. The model will be supplied on an OEM basis by Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn). It will be introduced in the small SUV segment, where demand for BEVs continues to expand, particularly in urban areas, and is positioned as a compelling option for buyers seeking advanced technology, driving performance, distinctive styling, and strong environmental performance.
Mitsubishi Motors announces plans to launch the ASX VR-e in Australia and New Zealand.
Sales of the ASX VR-e begin in Australia and New Zealand.
The ASX nameplate continues the heritage of the compact SUV ASX (Active Sports Crossover), a long-established name in Australia and New Zealand. The VR-e designation is inspired by the Galant VR-4, Mitsubishi Motors' iconic high-performance sports sedan, combining the sporty VR heritage with the 'e' for electrified technology. Mitsubishi engineers extensively tested the vehicle on local roads and applied dedicated suspension tuning to deliver responsive, high road-holding handling that responds to the driver's intentions, resulting in a sporty and engaging driving experience.
The exterior design focuses on aerodynamics. A distinctive S-duct channels airflow from the center of the front bumper over the hood, and active grille shutters reduce aerodynamic drag depending on driving conditions. Horizontal stripe motifs on the front and rear lighting signatures, C-pillars, and dedicated wheels create an advanced, cohesive design identity.
Under its Mid- to Long-Term Vision, Mitsubishi Motors is strengthening its product lineup around its off-road vehicle portfolio and ASEAN strategic models. For electrification, the company is leveraging collaboration with Alliance partners for EVs while focusing on its proprietary HEV and PHEV technologies. It aims to deliver both environmental performance and the distinctive driving characteristics that define the brand, and says it will continue enhancing its lineup through Alliance and other partnerships while accelerating its electrification initiatives.
Why this matters
The ASX VR-e gives buyers in Australia and New Zealand a new battery-electric option in the small SUV segment, where the company says demand is expanding, especially in cities. It also shows Mitsubishi Motors leaning on partner manufacturing—Foxtron, a Foxconn Group company—while it continues to develop its own hybrid technology.
Terms in This Story
- BEV
- Battery electric vehicle; a car powered solely by electricity stored in a battery, with no internal combustion engine.
- OEM basis
- A manufacturing arrangement in which one company builds a product that another company sells under its own brand.
- HEV
- Hybrid electric vehicle; a car that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery, without plugging in.
- PHEV
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; a car with both an internal combustion engine and a battery that can be charged from an external power source.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.