It has been confirmed that the next-gen Mitsubishi Strada (Triton) is getting a hybrid version. This is a part of the brand’s plan to release a total of 16 new models including a “Pickup Battery Electric Vehicle” (BEV) within the next five years.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Strada
This bit of news comes from the Australian website Carsales which said that this was confirmed by Mitsubishi Motors Global Executive Vice President For Engineering and Product Strategy Hiroshi Nagaoka.
In speaking to journalists after the next-gen Strada’s launch in Thailand, Nagaoka said that the brand thinks that a BEV pickup truck is a must. It will likely be a hybrid of the non-plug-in variety since this will be easier to manufacture in the short term.
The new Strada's chassis is already compatible with a mild hybrid powertrain
Nagaoka further added that Mitsubishi is also looking into what other kinds of electrification methods are applicable to the pickup truck. It may also be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), but if it's going to be a non-plug-in hybrid, the brand can already use the newly designed ladder frame chassis that underpins the next-gen model. A PHEV in turn, might require some adjustments which will take time to implement.
The Mitsubishi executive also said that the company is studying whether a full-on electric vehicle Strada can be done. It is more probable, however, that a Strada Hybrid might come to fruition first before a PHEV or an EV, he reiterated.
The Toyota Hilux MHEV in Africa
Nagaoka likewise stated that Mitsubishi “realized our competitors are doing the same in the future, so we definitely need to consider that (an electrified pickup truck) and then hopefully we will not be behind, and then at least we can catch up or maybe even get ahead of them.”
For Toyota, do remember that it was already testing a mild hybrid (MHEV) version of the Hilux via a rally test run in Africa. Ford meanwhile, has already confirmed that the current Ranger is “designed to have the capability to accommodate future powertrains”.
Follow Philkotse for more updates on the possible PHEV or MHEV version of the Mitsubishi Strada.