Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is sees hybrid models in Southeast Asia as a key component of their electrification strategy to stay competitive in the region, Chief Executive Takao Kato told Reuters recently in an interview. 

While some Southeast Asian countries are promoting adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as a way to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Kato said that conventional petrol-electric and plug-in hybrid systems are "probably a more realistic choice for the region for now".

In Mitsubishi Motors' fiscal year ending March 2020, the company sold around 280,000 vehicles in Southeast Asia, a majority of those in its four biggest markets of Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Much of this echoes the company's 'Small but Beautiful' electrification strategy, and is line with the increasing trend of phasing out traditional petrol/diesel powered engines for electric ones. Cue carmakers' aggressive investments into Indonesia's electrification plans, and the United Kingdom's plan to ban new petrol-powered cars come 2030. 

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has begun production of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Kato also said that the company aims to add more hybrid models to its Southeast Asian line-ups.

Aside from the plug-in Outlander, Mitsubishi will launch a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Xpander for some Southeast Asian markets over the next few years, company officials said. We previously reported that this is due in 2023. 

For now though, we still have the fast-selling, ultra-practical, 1.5-litre MIVEC petrol-powered Xpander. It offers great value, and for that (among other reasons) it's in contention for our inaugural Car of the Year (COTY) award. Vote here!