Honda confirms Mitsubishi Triton-based ute for 2028, Australia not yet confirmed
Honda is getting a ute, and it will be based on the Mitsubishi Triton. Honda and Mitsubishi Motors signed a memorandum of understanding in Tokyo on 22 October 2026 to develop a Honda model from the Triton, with sales due to start in South-East Asian markets in 2028.
For Australian buyers, the important detail is what has not been confirmed. Honda Australia says it is not able to confirm whether the model will be offered here when it goes on sale.
What is confirmed and what is not
| Detail | Information | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Base vehicle | Mitsubishi Triton one-tonne ute | Confirmed |
| Build location | Mitsubishi’s plant in Thailand | Confirmed |
| First markets | South-East Asia (ASEAN) | Confirmed |
| Launch timing | 2028 | Confirmed |
| Australian sale | Not decided | Not confirmed |
| Name | Not announced | Unknown |
| Engines and price | Not announced | Unknown |
Why Honda wants a ute
Honda does not currently sell a pick-up in South-East Asia, where one-tonne utes are a huge part of the market. The joint statement says the deal lets Honda add a ute quickly and efficiently, while Mitsubishi gains extra production volume and better use of its Thai factory. It is the first time the two companies have agreed to supply each other with vehicles.
The deal grows out of the strategic partnership Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi signed in August 2024. Nissan has already taken the same route, with the latest Navara based on the Triton, as covered in our Nissan Navara Pro PHEV story and our report on Nissan scrapping the Navara Warrior.
Could it come to Australia
The Triton is already built in right-hand drive for Australia, which would make a local version easier to engineer. However, Honda Australia moved to a fixed-price agency model in 2021 and has trimmed its range, and almost all of the cars it now sells are hybrids. A diesel ute would be a big change in direction for the brand here.
Honda has applied to register the name Tideline in Australia, but there is no confirmation it relates to this ute. Any Honda version would also arrive as rules under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard push brands towards lower-emission utes, as explained in our NVES ute pricing explainer. For now, treat an Australian Honda ute as possible but unconfirmed.
