Mitsubishi Motors Announces “Challenge 2025” Business Strategy
Mitsubishi Motors has been keeping everyone in the dark about what it plans to do about its electric lineup going forward. Switching back-and-forth between the Eclipse Cross PHEV and the Outlander PHEV as the new flagship model of the automaker, we’ve been waiting to see what comes next. A new model is still in the midst, most likely are badge of the Renault Clio hybrid, but we’re expecting a pure Mitsubishi model to come from the automaker, even if it does have shared parts with Alliance partners Renault and Nissan. Well, the wait is finally paying off with the new Mitsubishi business strategy “Challenge 2025”.
During the announcement, Mitsubishi shared an image previewing 16 upcoming models scheduled to launch. This might have something to do with the Alliance 2030 business plan, with the intention of releasing ten battery-electric vehicles by 2030. The 16 Mitsubishi models in question are set for launch over the next five years, and only a handful of them will be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or electrified in some way. Based on what we know now, all 16 models will be covering multiple vehicle segments, including internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles, hybrid models, and fully electric models.
Upon closer inspection, so far, we can see a new Mitsubishi Outlander Pajero, the overseas version of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; a fully-electric pickup truck, possibly an electric Trion/L200; a new three-row SUV to rival or even replace the Mitsubishi Outlander; a new passenger model; the rebadged Renault Clio hybrid; an all-electric minivan (overseas); a hybrid two-row SUV to replace the Eclipse Cross, possibly the Eclipse Cross PHEV mentioned before; and four more new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). There is also going to be a new generation of the Triton/L200 midsize pickup truck, ICE variant.
We talked about the L200 before. Back when a certain 4×4 automaker released a midsize pickup truck, the auto industry realized something. The midsize pickup truck category is actually pretty barren. The last time there was a midsize truck was back when “Ram Truck” was still a part of “Dodge Ram”. The Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck is not only a midsize pickup truck, but it’s also doing very well overseas, and seems to be getting a special Ralliart Edition of its own. We’re just not sure if it will be tuned up any more than the 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage Ralliart Edition. Regardless, if Mitsubishi Motors wanted to expand its North American portfolio, pickup trucks is definitely the way to go, and there is very little competition for midsize pickup trucks at the moment.
To make all of this possible, Mitsubishi Motors will be making new investments in its Research & Development (R&D) department. There will be a 30-percent increase overall, with 70-percent of that funding directed at the design and production of BEVS, starting in 2026. By 2030, Mitsubishi Motors estimates an investment of $1.5 billion in 15 GWh worth of batteries. At least now we know why the automaker was so wary to join Renault and Nissan in the investment of a new BEV facility. Mitsubishi has its own plans for that kind of cash.
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