Honda is getting into the ute business, and it is doing it with a Mitsubishi. The company has confirmed a body-on-frame ute based on the Mitsubishi Triton, going on sale across the ASEAN region in 2028. Mitsubishi will build it at its Laem Chabang plant in Thailand.
A Triton in a new suit
The changes look set to be mostly cosmetic: a new grille and bumpers, fresh badging and possibly new headlights and tail-lights, with the Triton hardware underneath. It follows the same playbook Nissan used earlier this year, when it launched its own Triton-based Navara (Nissan owns about 24 per cent of Mitsubishi Motors). For now Honda has confirmed only Southeast Asia, and it is unclear whether other markets, including Australia, will get the Honda-badged ute.
Cartell Assessment
Rebadging a proven ute is a low-risk way for Honda to enter a segment it has never played in, because the hard engineering is already done. The open question for local buyers is whether Honda Australia, which has moved to a fixed-price agency model and a slimmer range, would even want a ute in the lineup.
AU Outlook
If it does come, a Honda ute would land in the most competitive corner of the market, up against the Ford Ranger, the Toyota HiLux and the very Triton it is based on. Do not expect it before 2028, and treat an Australian launch as unconfirmed until Honda says otherwise.
