Is Mitsubishi Bringing a Pickup Truck To America? Check Out This Video!

A number of pictures and movies have been despatched to TFLtruck that includes a disguised Mitsubishi pickup truck, and we now have to ask – are they coming right here?

Over the previous few months, rumors of Mitsubishi testing in the US have been backed up with photographic and video proof. We all know that they’re certainly testing what seems to be their pickup truck. There are a number of names utilized in varied markets, just like the L200 and Triton, however the Mitsubishi pickup was additionally rebadged and referred to as the Ram 1200 in Saudi Arabia.

The one we’re seeing is the face-lifted model, however we’re unsure what’s below the hood. In most markets, Mitsubishi equips their pickups with a wide range of diesels, however there’s a 2.4-liter gasoline engine that’s out there as effectively. 5 and 6 pace auto and handbook transmissions can be found relying on the engine pairing.

Why would Mitsubishi promote a pickup right here?

Mitsubishi stopped promoting their Mighty Max pickup truck within the US in 1996. Two years prior, Dodge discontinued the Ram 50, which was a Mighty Max rebadged. Whereas gross sales weren’t sturdy, many really feel that the true cause was worry of pulling gross sales from the Dodge Dakota. In 2005, the Mitsubishi Raider hit the market (as a 2006 mannequin) and it was a re-skinned, rebadged Dodge Dakota. Gross sales had been poor and it was pulled out of the market in 2009.

Merely put, Mitsubishi’s pickup truck historical past is spotty on our shores. That is a disgrace, the Mighty Max was a naughty little pickup truck that was a cut price to purchase, and cheap to run. Their high quality was fairly good too.

Issues have modified since then. Mitsubishi is now a part of Nissan, and is relegated to promoting cheap crossovers, aside from the Mitsubishi Mirage† Even after tripping on their very own shoelaces (they promised us a brand new Montero – and it by no means occurred), Mitsubishi appears content material with constructing crossovers, not pickups.

What would Nissan say?

Moreover, I doubt if guardian firm Nissan would approve of Mitsubishi promoting a truck that would take gross sales away from the Nissan Frontier. On high of that, except they constructed it right here, import taxes (the “Hen Tax”) would absolutely kill any likelihood of this truck promoting right here. Certain, Nissan/Mitsubishi might construct it right here, however the funding can be excessive.

I feel that Mitsubishi is solely testing their L200 within the US to undergo chilly climate, excessive elevation and sizzling climate testing. That is why different automakers check right here. Most of the time, overseas (ones who do not promote in our market) automakers check new powertrains right here. We see them in all places in Colorado, and there are a number of businesses that check scattered all through the US

Nonetheless, I might be unsuitable.

Try the video and inform us what you assume!