Mitsubishi PH: Five new models coming in next 5 years
Which models will these be?
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is still very much holding 2nd place in terms of local car sales, but there's no denying the fact that most of their models are already reaching the end of their cycle.
The Strada and Montero Sport have received a few updates over the years, but the platform they are currently sitting on sale have been around since 2015 and 2016, respectively. Their only hybrid to date, the Outlander PHEV, is also already on an 11-year-old platform. With that being the case, it's about time they introduce all-new models.
Mitsubishi PH president and CEO Takeshi Hara said during the reveal of the XFC concept that the brand is looking to introduce five new models within the next five years. This recent announcement aligns with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's strategy of making the ASEAN region its drivers for growth.
As of the moment, we still don't have the timelines for the local introduction of the new models, as well as the names. But based on MMC's strategy, we can make a few educated guesses.
The new Outlander PHEV is an interesting take. One unit was already spotted in the country wearing conduction stickers with letters assigned to MMPC, which means Mitsubishi themselves brought in the unit instead of being a gray market import. This could either be a marketing ploy to gauge customer interest and generate buzz about the Outlander PHEV, or a sign that they are close to launching the plug-in hybrid.
There's also a good chance the all-new Strada will be the next one. It's already confirmed to make its official ASEAN debut on July 26 in Thailand, and reports say it might arrive with a new 2.4-liter turbodiesel under the hood. If we're right about this one, the -BER months could be the period where we see its Philippine launch.
After the all-new Strada, the next model could be the production version of the XFC Concept. Basically, it's Mitsubishi's version of the Honda WR-V, as it is an Xpander-based five-seater crossover. Its ASEAN debut is set to happen at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in August, while the Philippine launch could either be at the end of the year or early 2024.
Meanwhile, MMC also confirmed a hybrid Xpander will be launched in the ASEAN region before the fiscal year 2023 ends. But for the Philippines, this could be anytime after Q2 2024. There's still very little information about its hybrid powertrain, but it could have its 1.5-liter engine complemented with 48V mild hybrid assistance. This could place the Xpander HEV in a competitive spot against the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid in the electrified 7-seater MPV class.
Lastly, we could be looking at the all-new Montero Sport as the fifth model, but it will come at a much later date. MMC says the PPV is set to debut by 2025.
