Honda and Mitsubishi Partner on New Pickup Truck
The two automakers plan to develop a new pickup truck specifically for the Southeast Asian market by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Trucks
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Honda and Mitsubishi have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a new pickup truck. The vehicle will be based on the existing Mitsubishi Triton and is slated to launch in 2028 across Southeast Asian markets.
Why it matters
This partnership allows Honda to broaden its product lineup in Southeast Asia by leveraging its strong brand identity in the region. The deal also utilizes the established Mitsubishi Triton architecture to accelerate development of the new truck.
The Mitsubishi Triton architecture features 2.4-liter engine options that produce 201 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. These figures ground the performance expectations for the upcoming Honda-badged variant.
The players
Honda
A Japanese multinational manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment known for its global reach.
Mitsubishi
A Japanese automotive manufacturer recognized for its specialized four-wheel drive and pickup truck platforms.
The details
The new truck will be built using the current Mitsubishi Triton platform to serve customers in regions like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This collaboration marks a significant return for Honda, which produced the T360 kei truck as far back as 1963.
Timeline
1963: Honda produced the T360 kei truck.
2028: The new Honda pickup is expected to launch.
Roadmap
This collaboration reflects a broader industry trend where automakers share vehicle platforms to enter new segments without the high costs of independent development. By focusing on Southeast Asia, the partnership effectively sidesteps the 25 percent U.S. import tariff on small pickup trucks.
Drivers in Southeast Asia can expect expanded options for light-duty pickup trucks as Honda enters the segment with this collaborative model. The move underscores that these vehicles remain regional products and are unlikely to be imported to markets with high import duties.
The takeaway
Automakers are increasingly utilizing joint platforms to expand their regional market share in highly competitive categories. Buyers in Southeast Asia will see the results of this shared engineering effort when the new truck arrives in 2028.
Further reading
For more news on the evolving commercial vehicle sector, see our guide to Trucks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Car and Driver.
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