Mitsubishi Eyes Compact Pickup for U.S.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is exploring the potential to launch a small pickup truck in the U.S., WardsAuto reports.

Mitsubishi hasn’t offered a pickup in the U.S. since it discontinued the poor-selling Raider in 2009. That vehicle was based on the Dodge Dakota, developed through the Japanese carmaker’s previous alliance with the former DaimlerChrysler AG.

But Mark Chaffin, the company’s chief operating officer in North America, says the company would like to add a pickup again. And U.S. dealers have been clamoring for such a model for several years, Wards notes.

This affirms forecasts by LMC Automotive that indicate Mitsubishi plans to launch a redesigned version of the L200/Triton pickup in the U.S. by 2024. Mitsubishi sells the current L200/Triton, which was freshened late last year, in 150 other markets.

The next-generation model likely will share a platform with alliance partner Renault and Nissan. Last month Automotive News reported that an all-new Nissan Frontier could arrive by as early as 2021. The new body-on-frame platform also could carry the next-generation Nissan Navara, Renault Alaskan and Mercedes X-Class, according to LMC.