Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has launched the Thai-built Triton ‘urban sports pickup’ in Japan, priced at JPY2,940,000 yen (USD25,000) including consumption tax.
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MMC started taking advance orders on 7 August for the first 300 Tritons, and has since received firm orders for 180 units. With the launch, a further 300 units have been imported.
The fully redesigned pickup, which is sold in most of Mitsubishi’s markets outside North America, was launched first in Thailand – a major market and production base for Japanese brand pickup trucks – in August 2005.
A small number of Japanese customers have eagerly awaited the Japanese launch of Triton, with particular interests shown by enthusiasts of marine sports, winter sports, and other outdoor activities. Demand was heightened because there had been no new model launches in the pickup segment since 2004 (key competitors outside Japan include Toyota’s Hilux, Nissan’s Navara and the jointly developed Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series), and by consistently high prices for used pickups in Japan.
Mitsubishi Motors’ Triton is in fact the only pickup truck sold as new in Japan by domestic manufacturers, despite the rivals’ strong sales in competition with the Triton in markets outside the country.
Since launch last year, the Triton has sold well in Thailand and Europe, with over 81,000 units made in the first 12 months.
The sole Japanese market version launched to date is a four-door double cab 4WD pickup with seating for five passengers, and powered by a 131kW/178ps 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
In contrast, most models sold in Europe have a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel and manual gearbox.
