Next Mitsubishi Triton to retain ‘brand identity’

The next-generation Mitsubishi Triton due in a couple of years will share plenty of components with the Nissan Navara, including platform architecture and engines.

But don’t expect cookie-cutter designs across the board.

That’s the word from Seiji Watanabe, Mitsubishi’s recently-appointed head of global design, who doubled down on recent comments made by Nissan’s global product planning boss Ivan Espinosa saying the next Triton and Navara would be distinctly different vehicles.

“The basic concept is to keep each brand identity,” Watanabe said during an interview with Australian media.

After a massive corporate shake-up to the Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi alliance’s product development strategy announced in May, there was strong evidence to suggest the next-generation Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton could carry similar designs, both inside and out.

Asked specifically if the next Triton would look different to Navara, a hot-button issue in the increasingly competitive ute space, Watanabe answered: “Yes, that’s right.”

He added: “The keeping of our character or identity is most important to enhance brand building.”

As all three brands in the alliance seek to slash vehicle development costs by sharing platforms, components and in some cases even designs, Watanabe said there will be differences for most models.

“It is a very important point. Our alliance, Renault and Nissan and Mitsubishi, we always respect each [other’s] plans, and we’re shaking hands to keep each strong brand identity. That is the starting point,” he said.

“And then, how much we can share? For example the chassis, construction of the body, the inside … to make a very efficient approach and development.”

Watanabe said that a ceiling-mounted interior grab handle, for instance, “is not so impactful to differentiate the Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi, [so] it’s okay to share; but steering wheel, the customer sees every time, every day … and this we should not share with each other”.

“We are always talking about this kind of differentiation level by each project and some projects need to have more direction than others, but this depends on the strategy or concept of our production,” he said.

“So, currently, we had a meeting with head of Renault and head of Nissan design … discussing each other’s direction of design and the future and also [the] formation of a design portfolio as well.

“I feel it’s very good, the transparent relationship with alliance design.”