It is no secret that a hybrid version of the Mitsubishi Xpander has been in the works since this was announced in a business plan back in 2020. This latest report from Japan’s Nikkei though has given a rough estimate on its arrival.

According to Nikkei, the Xpander Hybrid could be produced in Thailand in early 2024 and the Kingdom would serve as a hub to export it to markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This is interesting as the petrol-powered Xpander’s hub is in Indonesia which also exports the 7-seater crossover to Thailand.

Currently, Mitsubishi has a plant in Thailand that locally assembles the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the last-generation Mitsubishi Outlander. Perhaps that might be a reason why the Kingdom is considered over Indonesia.

Also read: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV begins Thai production with RM 400 mil investment

The report by the Japanese business publication also stated that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) expects at least 10 years of high demand for its upcoming hybrid models. The Three Diamonds believes “emerging economies” would need some time before their consumers would purchase an electric vehicle (EV), citing high prices and lack of charging infrastructure.

Also read: Mitsubishi Xpander Hybrid is planned for Malaysia, but market potential dependent on policy direction

It is also reported that Mitsubishi is planning to launch a new SUV in November with a hybrid variant planned. There might be a possibility that this new SUV could be the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport which would be based on the all-new Triton that debuted last month.

Also read: Launching in Malaysia next year, all-new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton makes world debut in Thailand; 'Beast Mode' styling, new engine, and more

While Thailand is mentioned by Nikkei as the Xpander Hybrid’s hub, it is reported that Mitsubishi is also considering building hybrids in Indonesia while looking to leverage the archipelago’s abundant nickel resources. Nickel is an important material to build battery packs as the world is looking towards electrified mobility.

Mitsubishi plans to increase the ratio of electrified vehicles sold globally to 50% by 2030 and to stop selling petrol-powered vehicles by 2035. Southeast Asia is MMC’s most important market as the region contributes 70% of the company’s total operating income for the past 5 years though it mainly offers internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Both Thailand and Indonesia are important to Mitsubishi as they are historically significant exporters for the company with the former being the global hub for the Triton and the latter a hub for the Xpander as well as the Xforce.

Also read: Ready for Malaysia, will the Mitsubishi Xforce be CBU or CKD here?

Indonesia will also see the production of Mitsubishi’s first EVs outside of Japan with the Minicab MiEV planned for assembly in the archipelago by the end of the year.

Also read: Mitsubishi to introduce kei EVs for ASEAN, Minicab MiEV to be produced in Indonesia