Malaysia’s Mitsubishi Triton is imported (CBU) from Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd.’s plant in Laem Chabang, Chonburi. The company has just announced that it has invested THB 3 billion (about RM 378 million) into a new paint shop.

The upgraded body painting facility is said to improve paint quality, reduce emission volatile organic compounds (VoCs), and cut water wastage.

Specifically, Mitsubishi Motors says the new paint shop improves paint quality in complicated and deep paint areas – processes that involve use of sealer automation, robots and electrostatic spray gun.  

By improving its cartridge paint system, the regenerative thermal oxidation and waterborne technology, Mitsubishi says the new paint shop cuts emission of VoCs by 50 percent, likewise for water discharge.

Mr. Takao Kato, Representative Executive Officer for the President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation said: “At Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, we focus on producing premium, high-quality vehicles. The opening of the new paint factory in Laem Chabang today is also in alignment with Mitsubishi Motors’ Mid-Term Business Plan from 2020 to 2022 to prioritize Thailand and Southeast Asian countries as an important region. In addition to the company's regional and global expansion, the Mid-Term Business Plan also to transform our business towards a sustainable future and create sustainable growth of the automotive industry in Thailand and the region.”

At present, the Laem Chabang facility has an annual production capacity with more than 400,000 units and make five models — Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi Mirage, Mitsubishi Attrage and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Of the five, only the Triton is exported to Malaysia.

The new paint shop is for trucks and SUVs, to be used by Triton, Pajero Sport, and Outlander.

Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand said: “As one of Thailand’s leading automotive manufacturers and exporters, we are committed to producing and selling a range of vehicles that come with eco-friendliness, high quality, great performance, safety, comfort developed by our technologies. The new paint factory is the largest part of investment for automotive manufactory, and we have invested 3 billion baht for this new factory."

“This is our long-term commitment to produce and deliver vehicles with the world-class paint quality here in Thailand. At the paint factory, we have adopted the solar energy as an alternative source. With the generating capacity of 2 megawatts, it can help our production facility reduce about 1,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. These new solar panels combined with the solar panels that have already been installed at the production facility can together reduce up to 6,100 tons of carbon emissions every year,” he added.

The Mitsubishi Triton is currently sold in Malaysia in 5 4x4 variants. The entry 4x4 MT variant starts at RM 100,200 while the range topping Athlete AT sells for RM 142,800.

There’s also a low-riding 4x2 model priced at RM 79,890.