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NEWS
Next Triton to be five star performer
Safety up, but price rises also expected for Mitsubishi's next generation work truckMitsubishi has confirmed the next generation of the popular Triton will qualify for the maximum five NCAP stars, boosting its chances of snaring a share of the fleet market from rival work trucks such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
But the new Triton should also be in for a price rise, putting pressure on its strong private buyer base.
The current Triton, which gains four stars from the independent crash testing regime, is by far Mitsubishi’s most popular model with more than 24,000 4x4s and 4x2s sold in 2013.
The vast majority of sales go to private buyers, reflecting both the lack of interest from fleets and the sharp pricing of the run-out vehicle.
Its sales strength was a key aspect of Mitsubishi Motors Australia recording 71,528 sales in 2013, a record for the brand as an importer.
The new Triton, which has been previewed by the GR-HEV concept unveiled at the 2013 Geneva auto show, is scheduled to go on-sale in Australia late in 2014 or early 2015.
It will be launched with a new generation 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, with a hybrid version expected to follow within 18 months.
"It is going to have five stars, it’s going to have all-new safety features," confirmed MMA marketing executive director Tony Principe. "Right now we are relying on private sales because fleets only buy five stars.
"So suddenly we will have opportunities.
"The car itself is going to be such a higher specced vehicle, so the value proposition we are really going to have to evolve."
While access to fleet buyers is something that is getting Mitsubishi Motors Australia executives excited, they also admit that the new Triton will be a significant step up in both specification and potentially price, presenting a challenge to hang on to private buyers.
"That is one of the things we are going through in our planning right now, absolutely," MMA sales director Greg Cook told motoring.com.au. "That is all part of the strategy plan of the vehicle. Definitely we are thinking about how and what we can do to maintain that."
While the production version of the new Triton is yet to break cover, spy photography published by motoring.com.au indicates its styling has been squared off from the current vehicle’s curves.
"From what we have seen the car still has a stylish element," said Principe. "[But] it is straightened up a bit so you have more shoulder room and that sort of stuff.
"The engine will be quieter, more fuel efficient and more powerful.
"So there are a bunch of things it is going to be better at as well as being five stars, so there are a lot of positives."
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Written byBruce Newton
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