Honda to launch its first ASEAN-market pick-up truck in 2028, based on Mitsubishi Triton

Honda is preparing to enter the ASEAN pick-up truck market, with a new model based on the Mitsubishi Triton scheduled to launch in 2028.

The two Japanese automakers announced on 22 October 2026 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a Honda-branded pick-up truck using the Triton as its foundation.

The agreement marks the first time Honda and Mitsubishi Motors have worked together on complementary vehicle supply. It would give Honda a quicker route into a market where it currently has no pick-up truck, while helping Mitsubishi increase production at its Thai manufacturing plant.

New Honda pick-up to use Mitsubishi Triton platform

The new model will be based on the Mitsubishi Triton, a one-tonne pick-up built around a ladder-frame chassis. This type of construction is commonly used in vehicles designed to carry heavy loads and cope with demanding road conditions, making it well suited to the needs of many pick-up buyers in ASEAN.

Using an existing Mitsubishi model as its starting point should allow Honda to enter the segment without having to develop an entirely new pick-up from scratch. Honda could then tailor the vehicle to its own brand positioning and target customers.

For now, neither company has revealed the new truck's name, exterior design, powertrain, pricing or detailed specifications. Sales outside ASEAN have also yet to be confirmed.

What does each company gain?

Honda: A faster route into the pick-up market

Developing a new pick-up from the ground up requires substantial investment in chassis engineering, powertrain development, durability testing and production facilities. Building on the Triton platform could help Honda shorten the development process and reduce the resources required to enter the segment.

Mitsubishi: Higher production volumes in Thailand

For Mitsubishi, the partnership is an opportunity to increase output at its Thai manufacturing plant and make better use of its existing production capacity. Supplying a platform for another brand could also help spread the benefits of its established engineering and manufacturing operations across a larger production volume.

Honda's arrival could add another contender

The ASEAN region is an important market for one-tonne and mid-size pick-ups, with established rivals including the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton.

A Honda model based on the Triton would give the brand a way into this competitive segment, but its reception will depend on factors such as pricing, equipment, powertrain choices and the strength of Honda's sales network in each market.

Another key question is how much the new truck will differ from the Triton. Honda will need to establish its own identity for the model, although it has yet to confirm whether the two vehicles will have distinct exterior styling, interiors or mechanical specifications.

Part of a wider Honda–Mitsubishi–Nissan partnership

The agreement also builds on an existing strategic relationship. Honda, Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan signed a strategic cooperation framework on 1 August 2024 to explore collaboration across various business areas, including ways to make better use of each company's products and technologies.

The Honda pick-up project will be the first concrete vehicle supply collaboration between Honda and Mitsubishi Motors under this arrangement.

Whether the three companies will extend their cooperation to other vehicle segments or technologies remains to be seen.

Sources: Official announcements from Mitsubishi Motors and Honda.

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