Honda's Mitsubishi-Based Truck Is Official, Coming In 2028

Honda and Mitsubishi will supply vehicles for each other’s lineups, starting with a Triton-based pickup.

From wild rumor to official confirmation in just a few weeks, Honda is getting a proper pickup truck. As media reports have speculated, Mitsubishi will do most of the heavy lifting. The two Japanese automakers have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a Honda-badged model based on the Triton, with sales scheduled to begin in 2028. Okay, maybe “develop” isn't entirely accurate, given it’ll likely be a badge-engineering effort.

The agreement marks the first complementary vehicle-supply initiative between the two companies. It also gives Honda a quick way to enter a segment where it currently has no pickup offerings in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. At the same time, Mitsubishi stands to benefit from increased production at its Thai factory.

Honda hasn’t revealed the new truck’s name or shown what it will look like. For now, the company says the pickup will be based on the Triton, a one-ton truck built around a rugged ladder frame and sold in some markets as the L200. Whether it’ll be a simple rebadging exercise or feature distinctive styling remains unclear, but we’re leaning toward the former, as it would make the most sense for keeping costs low and speeding up the process.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton / L200

Mitsubishi offers a natural starting point for markets where pickups need to handle tough roads, demanding work, and more than the occasional trip to the mall. Developing a new body-on-frame truck from scratch, separate from the unibody Ridgeline sold in North America, would take considerable time and money. Borrowing Mitsubishi’s existing hardware makes far more sense.

As for specs, the Triton is powered by a 2.4-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder or a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter gas engine, with output varying by market and trim. The range-topping twin-turbo diesel produces up to 201 hp and 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Buyers can also get Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system, a locking rear differential, and seven drive modes for tackling different terrain. In some markets, the workhorse can tow up to 3.5 metric tons (7,716 pounds), making it a capable truck.

The 2028 launch target applies strictly to the ASEAN market, where Honda says it will primarily sell the truck. There’s no word yet on whether it could reach other regions, but the deal benefits both sides. Honda gets a shortcut to launching a pickup without shouldering the cost of developing an entirely new model. At the same time, Mitsubishi can increase production volumes and improve capacity utilization at its Thai manufacturing plant. It's a win-win situation.

This kind of cooperation already has a precedent. Mitsubishi supplies the latest Nissan Navara for markets such as Australia and New Zealand, where the midsize pickup truck has an alter ego. A Honda version will give the same fundamental truck another badge, although the final design and equipment remain to be confirmed.

Rather than joining forces under one corporate umbrella, they can still pool resources and fill gaps in their respective lineups. The agreement also builds on the strategic partnership framework Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi signed in August 2024. The three companies have been exploring ways to share vehicles and better use their engineering and manufacturing resources. It shows that even if the merger plans fell apart, the collaboration is still strong.

Although the merger is off the table, the original rationale for closer ties still stands: developing new vehicles is expensive, and sharing platforms can help keep costs under control. For Honda, the pickup is a relatively low-risk way to broaden its appeal in Southeast Asia, while Mitsubishi gets another potential source of volume without having to develop a new model to keep the factory running at a healthy rate.

What do you think?

Like the Triton and its Navara twin, the Honda equivalent is unlikely to reach the United States. Import tariffs already make it difficult to sell a Thai-built truck competitively in America, and the infamous 25-percent Chicken Tax on imported light trucks adds another major hurdle.

Unless Honda decides to build the pickup locally or finds another way around those costs, the new model will probably remain a forbidden fruit for American buyers. As things stand, the teased next-generation Ridgeline will have to make do.