Mitsubishi reportedly set to switch to Renault-Nissan platforms

Thursday, 16 September 2021

The Eclipse Cross still sits on the elderly GS platform, but the PHEV still uses Mitsubishi technology though.

Mitsubishi is reportedly halting the development of its own platforms for Japan, opting instead for platforms developed under the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance it is part of.

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the move is to help Mitsubishi keep development costs down and stem losses as it pivots towards electrification.

Mitsubishi's new Outlander brings some bold new styling cues to Mitsubishi signature look, as well as some advanced new technology.

It follows a similar play in Europe, where Mitsubishi previously said it would stop introducing new models to cut losses. However, it later announced it would retain its presence with two new Alliance platform-based models shared with Renault from 2023.

Neither Mitsubishi nor Renault have confirmed what these vehicles will be, only saying they will be “sister models” produced in Renault factories using the same platforms and powertrains but with “differentiation” to reflect the Mitsubishi branding.

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A new report claims Mitsubishi will slowly stop building its own platforms and vehicles for its home market.

* Mitsubishi kills off the Pajero

The new report says that Mitsubishi wants to cut its in-house platforms down from eight to four by March 2026, including two new platforms for Southeast Asia. The other two will be co-developed with Nissan. By 2019, the two Japanese companies were already sharing 40 per cent of their platforms. It pays to mention that this is currently for the Japanese market only, according to the report.

Interestingly, when contacted by Stuff, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi New Zealand said that the company will still continue to produce its own models and platforms.

It is also intent on retaining the current line-up of Triton, Eclipse Cross, Outlander, Mirage, Pajero Sport, and ASX.

Of those, the Eclipse Cross and ASX still ride on Mitsubishi’s elderly GS platform, which was initially launched back in 2005 as the Project Global platform, a collaboration between Daimler, Chrysler and Mitsubishi.

The upcoming new-generation Outlander is based on the same platform as the Nissan X-Trail, and the next Triton is expected to share at least a platform with the Nissan Navara, possibly more if financial constraints demand it. Mitsubishi initially expected to be the lead for future ute platforms in the Alliance, but those hopes were dashed early on.

However, Mitsubishi has plans to bring back the Ralliart brand, in order to bring 'an adventurous spirit … overwhelming driving durability … and increased Mitsubishi Motor-ness.”

It’d be a bit difficult to do that last bit with a Nissan platform, although it does look like the first Ralliart model will be a Triton, but it’s unclear if it will be a swansong for the current generation or a headliner for the next Navara-related ute.