Mitsubishi Motors intends to bring a midsize version of its revived Pajero SUV to Japan by fiscal year 2028, with a compact variant to follow, Nikkei Asia reported.
The move forms part of a medium- to long-term business plan the automaker outlined in May, under which the Pajero nameplate will be extended across multiple vehicle types.
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The Pajero, whose global return was announced in May, was a top-selling model for Mitsubishi during the 1990s.
Mitsubishi intends to set the new range apart using electronically controlled four-wheel-drive systems designed to adapt to different terrain, aimed at customers who use their vehicles outdoors.
The lineup will also mark Mitsubishi’s entry into full hybrid vehicles within the Japanese market, a segment it has yet to enter domestically.
A full-size Pajero SUV, built on a pickup truck platform and manufactured in Thailand, will be the first model in the range, with a Japan launch set for December.
The midsize model will be built in Japan on its own dedicated platform and will share parts with the Outlander SUV to keep development costs down, with sales targeted for late 2028 to 2029.
A compact SUV, similar in size to Japan’s kei minicars, is due to launch under the Pajero name around 2030.
GlobalData, parent company of Just Auto, notes that SUVs accounted for roughly one in four new vehicles sold in Japan in 2025.
In the midsize category, Mitsubishi will compete against models including Toyota’s RAV4 and Mazda’s CX-5.
Competitors have also broadened their own off-road SUV ranges: Suzuki’s five-door Jimny Nomade, launched last year, while Toyota introduced the Land Cruiser FJ, the range’s smallest and lowest-priced entry, earlier this year.
With North America, Mitsubishi’s second-largest market, unlikely to drive major profit gains amid tariff pressures, the domestic market has taken on greater strategic weight.
Mitsubishi held a 3% share of Japan’s new vehicle market in fiscal 2025 and is targeting 180,000 domestic units by fiscal 2030, a 50% rise from fiscal 2025 levels.
Domestic sales are at a 12-year high, up 9% year-on-year to 66,907 units in January–June, led by the Delica D:5 minivan and Delica Mini kei car.
For the first quarter to 30 June 2026, operating profit climbed 78.8% year-on-year to Y10.08bn ($63.9m), consolidated net sales rose 1.8% to Y619.86bn and profit attributable to owners of the parent grew 91.2% to Y1.41bn.
