Mitsubishi Triton supply improving for Oz

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) says the supply constraints that have limited the Triton’s sales success in recent years are now behind the Japanese importer, with more certain supply of the new-generation model set to change the importer’s fortunes this year.

Arriving this month, the Thai-built dual-cab Triton range introduces family and lifestyle buyers to a comprehensively new machine. Trade and agricultural buyers will, however, need to wait a little longer with Club- and Single Cab variants due from mid- and late-2024 respectively.

MMAL chief executive officer Shaun Westcott told GoAuto that the brand is working closely with the factory to ensure timely arrival of its all-new Triton gets customers into their new vehicle within a three- to four-month time frame from order and says plentiful supply is expected in showrooms from the get-go.

“It is a very popular segment with two very strong players at the top end of the market,” he said referring to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

“We have traditionally been number three, but we lost that position last year purely through supply, and because the previous Triton was coming to the end of its life. People were waiting for the new one.

“We do see ourselves getting back to number three in the short term and we will continue to challenge some of those other contenders.”

However, in estimating that between 10,000 and 15,000 units are likely to arrive between now and the end of the calendar year, Mr Westcott’s suggestion that Mitsubishi could regain third place on the sales ladder is unlikely.

VFACTS figures suggest the current third-place holder, the Isuzu D-Max, sells in the vicinity of 2100 four-wheel drive variants and 480 two-wheel drive units per month.

With just 10,000 to 15,000 Triton models headed to Australia between now and the end of the year – a best case scenario of 1875 units per month – it is more likely the model will rank in fourth or even fifth place; at least until such time as that number grows, or more model variants arrive.

Mr Westcott said he is confident that the planned updates of the new-gen Triton range over the course of its lifetime will help to maintain or grow that number, the model addressing previous shortcomings while also leaving room to improve.

While he would not be pressed on what those improvements may entail, Mr Westcott has previously hinted that an electrified Triton – or even a higher-performing Ralliart edition – are being considered, with Australia a likely market for both.

“As was the case previously, and over the life of Triton, we will continue to refine the product, and there is a lot of opportunity to do that over the next two to three years,” he stated.

“In that time, we will become even more competitive against our rivals in that space.”