Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan announced the anniversary of Mitsubishi 4×4 pick-up trucks, providing reliability and durability to customers worldwide for 40 years!
IN Malaysia, the first Mitsubishi pick-up truck, Mitsubishi Storm was launched in 2001 by its official distributor at that time, United Straits Fuso Sdn Bhd (USF).
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) was established in January 2005 and the Mitsubishi Triton was launched in 2006. Today, MMM has sold more than 70,000 units nationwide, with an average sale of 500 units per month.
The Triton is the best-selling model for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) with the fifth generation of the Triton currently on sale.
Over the years, the Triton have also won numerous awards including Pick Up Trucks of Malaysia award at the Cars of Malaysia Awards ceremony 2018, DSF.my and Allianz- Vehicle of the Year 2017, Carsifu’s Editors Choice Awards 2017- Best Pick Up Truck of the Year and Diesel Engine of the Year.
It’s 1978, and the world is changing. Space Invaders spreads to arcades across the globe and launches the video game industry. The first automated cellular phone network is being built in Japan and Superman takes off in cinemas.
Another product is launched which, over the next four decades, will bring mobility to 4.7 million people – the Mitsubishi 1-ton pickup.
The first models were appropriately named FORTE, although exports used other badges such as L200, which remain in use today. From the very beginning, the FORTE was engineered to provide tough, dependable transport for people and goods.
The FORTE was developed to provide a 1-ton carrying capacity and yet be as easy to drive, have a combination of rugged reliability, easy-to-drive nature and impressive carrying capacity. This soon made it a firm favorite across the world, from frozen wastes to sun-baked deserts.
To ensure customers could go even further afield, Mitsubishi Motors built on its four-wheel-drive heritage by adding a 4×4 version to the range in 1980.
This became the foundation for modern Mitsubishi 4WD vehicles, leading directly to the PAJERO/MONTERO and DELICA.
The pickup, soon renamed TRITON in many markets, had a profound effect on the Mitsubishi Motors’ business too.
The first and second generation platforms were mainly produced at Mitsubishi Motors Ohe Plant. Since the third-generation model in 1995, production has been concentrated in the Laem Chabang Plant in Thailand, from where they are exported worldwide. It is now Mitsubishi Motors’ biggest factory, producing about 400,000 vehicles.
Here is a reminder of the previous generations of the FORTE, TRITON and L200 – and a glimpse at what the near future might hold…
1st Generation
September 1978
• FORTE, a 1-ton pickup truck was introduced in Japan and exported with names including the MITSUBISHI TRUCK and L200. Exports to North America started the following October.
• The only body option is a single cab. Power is from a 2.0-litre petrol, with a 2.6-litre option for North America and 1.6-litre engine for Japan and for other regions. A 2.3-litre diesel engine was available for general exports.
October 1980
• Introduction of a part-time 4WD system
2nd Generation
March 1986
• Full model change. Variations now offered included three body types: Single Cab, Club Cab, Double Cab with short and long body styles available with the Single Cab. New 2WD and 4WD drivetrain options were available, with 2.0-litre and 2.6-litre petrol engines and 2.5-litre diesel engine (increased from 2.3-litre).
May 1991
• Introduced as STRADA into the Japan market (double-cab only)
3rd Generation
November 1995
• The new pickup truck model L200 STRADA was introduced in Thailand.
• Production is concentrated in the Laem Chabang Plant,Thailand from where it is exported worldwide.
• Three body variations include Single Cab, Club Cab, and Double Cab for exports. Powered by 2.5-litre or 2.8-litre diesel engines. The 4WD mechanism is equipped with innovative “Easy Select 4WD” system.
4th Generation
August 2005
• The new pickup TRITON was introduced in Thailand. Sales in other markets started sequentially following the introduction in Thailand.
• Three body configurations – Single Cab, Club Cab, Double Cab, and engines include newly-developed 2.5-litre and 3.2-litre common-rail diesel. Drivetrain options are 2WD and a 4WD equipped with “Easy Select 4WD” or “Super Select 4WD” systems.
5th Generation
November 2014
• The 5th generation is introduced in Thailand. Sales in other markets follow.
• Three body configurations – Single Cab, double door Club Cab, and Double Cab. Powertrains are a newly-developed 2.4-litre MIVEC diesel turbo, 2.5-litre diesel turbo, and 2.4-litre petrol. Drivetrain options are 2WD and 4WD, with the availability of “Super Select 4WD-II” system, which adopted an electronic actuator.
And the future of the pickup will soon be revealed…
