With Mitsubishi’s Help, Honda Is Getting A Ladder-Frame Pickup Truck By 2028

Honda plans to launch a new ladder-frame pickup by 2028, developed in partnership with Mitsubishi. Based on the Mitsubishi Triton platform and built in Thailand, this collaboration marks the first OEM alliance between the two automakers, allowing Honda to enter the rugged utility market.

According to reports from the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, the forthcoming truck will be manufactured by Mitsubishi in Thailand and distributed through Honda’s proprietary dealer network. The vehicle is slated for an initial launch in Southeast Asia—a region where midsize pickups are highly sought after—though potential expansion into additional export markets is currently under evaluation.

While Honda currently offers the Ridgeline in the North American market, that model is built upon the unibody architecture of the Pilot SUV. By leveraging a ladder-frame chassis sourced from Mitsubishi, Honda can effectively penetrate the rugged utility vehicle segment while bypassing the significant capital and research and development expenditures typically required for an in-house development project.

Beyond its Mitsubishi Triton counterpart, the new Honda pickup will compete within the ASEAN region against established rivals, including the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Nissan Navara, as well as an increasing number of offerings from Chinese manufacturers.

Nissan’s Triton-based Navara highlights how the Laem Chabang plant boosts Mitsubishi’s economies of scale. Honda’s version will likely feature its own styling, potentially inspired by the Elevate, and may include a hybrid powertrain based on the facelifted Mitsubishi Triton platform.

The Triton features a 2.4-liter diesel engine offering 148 hp, 181 hp (single turbo), or 201 hp (twin-turbo), with rear or four-wheel drive and the Super Select 4WD-II system. Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are also discussing sharing ECUs, standardizing software, and collaborating on digital cockpits. Additionally, Nissan may produce US-bound pickups for Honda and Mitsubishi at its Canton, Mississippi plant.

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