Honda Turns to Mitsubishi for a Real Ladder-Frame Truck

A Surprising Japanese Alliance

Honda has long stayed away from traditional heavy-duty pickups in most global regions. In North America it offers the unibody Ridgeline, which uses passenger car foundations from the Pilot SUV rather than a rugged separate chassis. That strategy is now changing through a fresh collaboration. Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Honda plans to source a classic ladder-frame truck directly from Mitsubishi, with an expected arrival in 2028 or later.

Instead of funding costly platform development in-house, Honda will rely on Mitsubishi's manufacturing footprint at the Laem Chabang facility in Thailand. The donor vehicle is the Mitsubishi Triton, also recognized in several export destinations as the L200. This facility already builds a sister vehicle, the Navara for Nissan, meaning a single assembly line will supply three distinct Japanese brands.

Mechanical Foundations and Powertrains

Because the truck will arrive alongside an updated iteration of the Triton, it will retain genuine workhorse credentials. The existing Triton utilizes a 2.4-liter diesel motor in three outputs: 148 hp and 181 hp using a single turbocharger, or 201 hp with a twin-turbo setup. Drive goes either to the rear axle or all four wheels, with top-tier grades featuring Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system.

Reports suggest the updated platform could also bring a hybrid powertrain shared with the upcoming Pajero. Beyond metal and mechanics, Honda and Mitsubishi are exploring shared electronic control units, standardized vehicle software, and joint development of digital instrument displays.

What It Means for Greek Drivers

In Greece, where tough terrain and demanding agricultural work dominate the pickup sector, unibody alternatives rarely satisfy professional requirements. Greek buyers rely almost entirely on proven ladder-frame alternatives such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max. While the new Honda truck will start in Southeast Asia, other export regions remain under active evaluation.

If Honda imports this model to European showrooms, you would gain a reliable diesel work tool supported by Honda's retail network. It would deliver proper four-wheel-drive capability and serious towing strength without the passenger-car compromises of previous unibody designs. However, because Mitsubishi handles production, the underlying hardware will mirror the Triton. The differentiators will mainly come down to styling, cabin trim, and local dealer support.

What to Watch For

Do not expect quick changes on local dealership floors. The project is aimed at 2028, and official distribution plans outside Southeast Asia remain unconfirmed. If you need a reliable work vehicle in the near term, focus on established choices like the Hilux, Ranger, D-Max, or the current Triton. For Honda enthusiasts needing authentic load capacity, keep track of whether European imports get confirmed once Mitsubishi reveals the refreshed Triton platform.