Triton VGT 2013-1

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) recently announced that global sales of the Mitsubishi Triton (known as the L200 in some markets) has passed the 1.1 million unit mark. The current Triton/L200 has been produced in Thailand for the world since 2005.

"Over the last nine years, 1,148,000 L200s have been sold with Thai domestic sales totalling 263,000 units and export sales 885,000 units. This 77% share echoes the warm welcome L200 has received in the 158 countries where it is available. This is especially true in Europe, ASEAN and the Middle East with real customers' trust and following," said Masahiko Ueki, MMTh's new president.

Until April 2014, Europe (excluding Russia and Ukraine) has been MMTh's largest export market for the L200 with 198,530 units sold, with the United Kingdom taking 54,900 units of that total.

l200-spyshot
Next-gen Triton has been spied undergoing tests - click to enlarge image

Why is MMTh looking at the rear view mirror? That's because the next-gen Mitsubishi Triton has been confirmed to be heading to Europe this coming autumn, which means that a world debut in Thailand in Q3 2014 is possible.

It was announced in 2010 that the next-gen Triton and new Nissan Navara will be co-developed, meaning that the new Triton will be a non-identical twin to the next Navara, which we expect to see very soon. This relationship is nothing new in the pick-up world - the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 and Chevrolet Colorado/Isuzu D-Max have such ties as well.

The next-gen Mitsubishi Triton will be inspired by the Concept GR-HEV show truck from Bangkok 2013, but expect much toned-down looks. The current Triton, which dropped jaws back in 2006 with its radical shape, has managed to look current over the years. It will be a tough act to follow, design wise.

Mitsubishi Concept GR-HEV at Bangkok 2013