Hold onto your wrenches: Mitsubishi is playing the long game on electrified pickups, betting that patience might just outsmart the rush.
Imagine you're Mitsubishi, watching your competitors sprint ahead with flashy plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes, but you decide to hang back and observe. That's exactly what's happening with the Triton, and it's sparking a heated debate in the automotive world. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Mitsubishi wisely avoiding a flop, or is it missing the electric wave that's reshaping trucks forever?
The Scoop
Mitsubishi is taking a cautious step back from rushing into a hybrid version of its popular Triton ute, even as rivals like BYD, Ford, and GWM launch their own electrified models. With early signs suggesting that interest in these petrol-electric trucks might be cooling off, Mitsubishi's leadership believes their wait-and-see strategy could pay off big time.
The Essential Facts
- Mitsubishi insists that the majority of ute buyers aren't drawn to hybrid options yet.
- The automaker plans to monitor how competitors fare with their PHEV pickups before jumping in, despite already having advanced hybrid tech in development.
- A hybrid Triton hitting Australian roads is inevitable—it's just a question of timing, not if it will happen.
The Nuances
Once a pioneer in promoting electric-powered light commercial vehicles, Mitsubishi now prefers to let others test the waters with hybrid utes. And this is the part most people miss: They argue the market simply isn't there yet for widespread appeal.
Bruce Hampel, Mitsubishi Australia's product strategy manager, still sees potential for a hybrid Triton, telling our team that PHEVs (plug-in hybrids that combine a gas engine with an electric motor and rechargeable battery) "will play a part" in the future.
"We're seeing some OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) make those initial moves into electrifying pickups, but the demand from everyday buyers for these mainstream models isn't strong enough right now," Hampel explained. "Eventually, we'll probably have to follow, but the big question is when."
For now, Hampel points out that the current diesel-powered Triton meets customer needs perfectly.
"Many of our customers, especially those in big fleets, depend heavily on diesel for accessing remote job sites and covering long distances beyond city limits in trades like construction or farming," he noted. This makes sense for beginners: Diesel engines are great for tough, extended hauls because they're reliable and efficient over miles, whereas electric or hybrid systems might need more charging infrastructure in rural areas.
Mitsubishi first teased a PHEV Triton five years ago and has since suggested it could even add a full battery-electric (BEV) version later on. But in the meantime, they've been eclipsed by competitors such as BYD's Shark 6 PHEV, Ford's Ranger PHEV, and GWM's Cannon Alpha PHEV. Interestingly, sales of these electric-gas hybrids seem to be slowing down.
Take the Shark 6, for example—it sold out quickly at launch and is now closely competing with the Triton in year-to-date sales. However, monthly numbers have dropped to just over 1000 units, about 300 fewer than the Triton in September. The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV, on the other hand, have seen much lower sales than BYD's model.
Vehicles Available
Interested in exploring Mitsubishi's current lineup? Check out their offerings on carsales.com.au/mitsubishi to see how the diesel Triton stacks up.
What's Next on the Horizon
"The future will likely balance traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine, like diesel or petrol) trucks with electrified ones," Hampel predicted.
"Figuring out that mix over the next few years will be fascinating. We're fortunate to have early leaders in the industry to learn from, but we think we'll need to expand our electrified options beyond just pickups to meet government standards like the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) offsets. That way, we can keep offering ICE versions to customers who need them."
For newcomers to this topic, NVES is basically a rule that encourages automakers to make more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles to reduce emissions, often requiring "offsets" like selling certain numbers of EVs to balance out sales of gas-powered ones. It's a key reason why Mitsubishi might need to diversify its range.
Now, here's where the debate heats up: Is Mitsubishi's strategy brilliant foresight, avoiding wasted resources on unproven tech, or is it a risky delay that could let rivals dominate the market? And what about you? Do you think ute buyers will ever fully embrace electrification, or will diesel reign supreme in tough jobs? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree Mitsubishi is playing it smart, or should they accelerate their plans? Let's discuss!
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