The idea of a diesel hybrid pick-up truck may sound odd but a Mitsubishi Triton hybrid is certainly coming by 2030. However before that, a new generation Mitsubishi Triton is scheduled to make its world debut sometime in late-2022 or early-2023.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the world’s first series production electric vehicle (EV), is also confirmed to return with a second generation model in 2022, this time with assistance from Alliance partner Nissan.

All these were confirmed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in its financial results announcement for the 2020 Financial Year (fiscal year ending March 2021).

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation reiterated its commitment to its Environmental Targets 2030. The company will cut CO2 emissions from its new vehicles by 40 percent by 2030 (from current FY2020 level). Half of the company’s sales will come from electric vehicles.

It also adds that every one of its models will be offered with electric drivetrains (including hybrids).

Currently, Mitsubishi has only one fully electric model in its line-up, the Japan-only MiniCab MiEV kei minivan and mini truck. The i-MiEV was discontinued late last year.

It also sells two plug-in hybrid models – the Eclipse Cross PHEV and Outlander PHEV, the latter is also assembled in Thailand, exported to Indonesia and the Philippines.

By saying ‘electric vehicles for every model,’ it also means that this will also include the Triton hybrid (electric vehicles here refer to xEVs, not limited to battery electric vehicles, BEVs).

Archrival Toyota has already confirmed (via its Australian arm) that a Hilux hybrid is being developed and the company plans to launch it before 2030, so this response from Mitsubishi Is to be expected.

So far, no manufacturer has produced a hybrid 1-tonne pick-up truck for our region. Perhaps Mitsubishi might show the way.

Recall that Mitsubishi was the first company to sell a plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV. Not only that, it was also the first to field a plug-in hybrid 4WD SUV on a rallycross stage, at the 2013 Asia Cross Country Rally, and again in 2014.

At the same investor’s announcement, Mitsubishi Motors also confirmed that development for a new generation Mitsubishi Xpander is under way, and this time, there will be an additional hybrid variant.

Also read: Next-gen 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander confirmed to get hybrid powertrain

Historically, a new Mitsubishi Triton is unveiled at either one of the two main Bangkok automotive trade show events, either at November’s Thailand International Motor Expo, or March’s Bangkok International Motor Show.

So you can expect a new generation Mitsubishi Triton to make its global debut either in November 2022 or March 2023.

The current generation Mitsubishi Triton made its global debut in November 2018, before launching in Malaysia in January 2019. The current model is a major update from the 2015 model, so an all-new generation by 2022 / 2023 is to be expected.