40 years of Mitsubishi pick-ups
Mthe Triton was launched in Malaysia in the following year. In 2014, the new fifth generation Triton/L200 evolved into the “ultimate sports utility truck”, MMC proclaimed. The first and second generation models were mainly produced at Mitsubishi Motors Ohe Plant in Japan.
Since the third-generation model in 1995, production has been concentrated in the Laem Chabang Plant in Thailand, from where they are exported worldwide. The plant is now MMC’s largest factory, producing about 400,000 vehicles annually.
Today, MMM has sold more than 70,000 units of the pick-ups in Malaysia, with an average 500 sold a month.
The Triton is the best-selling model for MMM with the fifth generation of the Triton currently on sale.
MMC also shared a teaser image (below) of the next-generation Triton/L200/Strada, or whatever name Mitsubishi will come up with. It is expected to be launched before 2020. ITSUBISHI Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan yesterday announced the anniversary of its pick-up trucks, “providing reliability and durability to 4.7 million customers worldwide for 40 years”.
In 1978, when Space Invaders was spreading to arcades across the globe and launching the video game industry, the first automated cellular phone network was being built in Japan and Superman was saving the world (in cinemas, that is), Mitsubishi launched the “Forte” pick-up truck (pix 1).
It was developed to provide a one-ton carrying capacity and yet be as easy to drive, have a combination of rugged reliability, easy-to-drive nature and impressive carrying capacity.
Two years later, the 4x4 version was added to the range, which became the foundation for modern Mitsubishi four-wheel-drive vehicles, leading directly to the Pajero/Montero and Delica.
The second generation was launched in 1986 (pix 2), with wider variety of configurations offered, including three body types.
The naming changed too, with double-cab “Strada” being introduced in Japan in 1991. It was also called “Mighty Max” in North America, Triton in Australia, and “L200” in other areas. In North America, it was also sold by Dodge as the “RAM 50”.
The third generation started production in November 1995, in Thailand. It was sold there and also exported to Europe, Oceania, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
In Malaysia, the first Mitsubishi pick-up truck – the “Storm” – was launched in 2001 by its official distributor at that time, United Straits Fuso Sdn Bhd.
The fourth generation (pix 3) came in August 2005. After its introduction in Thailand in that year it was exported in stages to approximately 150 countries worldwide, becoming an important model in MMC’s global strategy.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) was established in January 2005 and BERMAZ Motor’s MazdaSports Academy will do a second “Advance Driving” ownership experience programme.
Following the success of their first programme in June, the academy now opens the “Advance Driving” programme to Mazda CX-5 owners, set to take place on Oct 13-14 at MAEPS, Serdang.
The company says: “Mazda developed the CX-5 to be an SUV that delivers true driving pleasure that everyone on board can enjoy and not just the driver.
“Engineered with a human-centric development philosophy, all Mazda cars are built with the aim to deliver ‘Celebrate Driving’ to its drivers.
“The MazdaSports Academy aims to deliver Mazdaunique driver experience programmes where their participants can experience the true spirit of Mazda’s JinbaIttai.”
With the “Advance Driving” programme, participants will learn to experience being “one with their Mazda” and discover one’s driving potential.
They will find their perfect driving position and enhance their driving ability through a dynamic driving practical course.
The ownership programme is limited to 30 spirited Mazda owners per day. Owners that wish to join must register their interest via Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook Page.