Honda has confirmed plans to develop a new body-on-frame pickup truck in collaboration with Mitsubishi, marking an expansion of its truck lineup in Southeast Asia. The new Honda pickup will be based on the Mitsubishi Triton and is scheduled to go on sale in the ASEAN market in 2028, although there is no indication that it will reach the United States.
The partnership brings Honda into a segment where the Toyota Hilux is a major competitor across several international markets. It will also allow Mitsubishi to increase production volume and improve capacity utilization at its plant in Thailand.
Honda’s New Pickup Will Rival the Toyota Hilux
Honda and Mitsubishi have officially signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the new pickup, following months of speculation about Honda’s plans to introduce a traditional body-on-frame truck.
While the Toyota Tacoma serves as Honda’s dedicated midsize pickup competitor in the United States, the Toyota Hilux fills that role in many other markets. The Hilux is expected to be one of the key rivals for Honda’s upcoming truck.
The collaboration comes as Japanese automakers face intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers. In July, a senior Toyota executive urged automakers in Japan to work together to reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen their competitive position.
Honda said the partnership would allow it to add a pickup truck to its lineup in the ASEAN market, where it does not currently offer pickup models, while helping Mitsubishi increase production and improve factory utilization in Thailand.
Honda Pickup Will Be Based on the Mitsubishi Triton
The upcoming Honda truck will use the Mitsubishi Triton as its foundation. The one-ton pickup is currently in its sixth generation and is sold in markets including Australia, Japan and Brazil.
The Triton is available with 2.4-liter gasoline and diesel engines, including a twin-turbo diesel. At least one of these powertrains could potentially be used in Honda’s version, although the final specifications have not been confirmed.
The body-on-frame construction could give the new Honda pickup stronger towing and off-road capabilities than the Honda Ridgeline, which uses a unibody structure.
Honda is expected to distinguish its truck from the Triton with redesigned exterior and interior styling. Specific design details and technical specifications have not yet been confirmed.
Where Will the New Honda Pickup Be Sold?
Honda has confirmed that the new pickup will launch in the ASEAN market in 2028. The Southeast Asian region includes markets such as Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, where the Mitsubishi Triton is already available.
There is currently no indication that Honda plans to bring the new model to the United States.
Entering the American pickup market would present a significant challenge. Ford, Ram and Chevrolet dominate the full-size truck segment, while the Toyota Tacoma leads the midsize category.
Honda lacks the same long-standing reputation for rugged pickup trucks as those established competitors. Even if the Mitsubishi-based model delivers capable performance, convincing American buyers to choose a new Honda truck could prove difficult.
Honda Previously Sold a Body-on-Frame Pickup in Thailand
The upcoming model will not be the first Honda-badged pickup to use body-on-frame construction. Honda previously sold a compact truck called the Tourmaster in Thailand from 1996 to 1998.
The Tourmaster was a rebadged version of the Isuzu TFR, which was marketed as the Isuzu Pickup in the United States. It was offered with two 2.5-liter diesel engines, including a turbocharged version in the top model.
Despite strong demand for the Isuzu TFR, the Honda Tourmaster struggled to attract buyers. Sales failed to reach 1,000 units annually in either of its first two years on the market.
By comparison, Isuzu sold more than 100,000 units of the nearly identical TFR in 1996, highlighting the difference in market performance between the two models.
Could the Pickup Lead to More Body-on-Frame Honda Models?
Honda’s upcoming pickup could create an opportunity to expand its lineup with vehicles built on a traditional body-on-frame platform. A successful launch could potentially open the door to additional full-frame models, including SUVs.
Such an expansion could help Honda compete more directly with vehicles such as the Toyota 4Runner. For now, the Mitsubishi-based pickup is confirmed for the ASEAN market in 2028, while its specifications and availability in other regions remain unconfirmed.
