To Boost Sales, Mitsubishi ‘Downgraded’ Its New Triton In Australia

The new third-gen MItsubishi Triton pick-up truck marketed in Australia recently saw an interest update that promises to make the 4x4 pick-up truck more attractive purchase.

While most carmakers opt ‘upgrade’ or ‘up-spec’ certain models to boost sales, sometimes the opposite of which can also achieve the similar – if not the same – results too. Case in point here is the recent re-speccing of the new third-generation Mitsubishi Triton in Australia.

Credible Australian sources report that the Japanese automaker’s Australian arm announced that it has begun offering said pick-up truck to buyers Down Under with the option for a reduced payload capacity of under 1,000 KG.

Confusingly, the Japanese tri-diamond marque announced that this offer comes as part of its expanded Triton model range with new “additional payload variant” added. Despite this, the move is poised to bolster sales of the Triton there in one key area.

Australian buyers can now buy 'reduced payload' versions of the Triton, specifically in its GLS and GSR guises marketed there. With a payload capacity below 1,000 KG, the Triton now qualifies for Australia's unique "novated leasing" purchasing scheme.

Effectively, the reduced payload status makes the Triton eligible for Australia’s unique “novated leasing” purchasing scheme. In turn, this also expands the Triton’s reach as it will now appeal to a broader set of consumers that typically make up the Australian car-buying crowd.

The reduced payload option is offered at no extra costs to Australians buying the new Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck, specifically in either GLS or GSR guises marketed there. Unlike the standard version, these variants see their respective payload capacities reduced by 75 KG and 30 KG.

It’s unclear if the automaker had altered the Triton’s underpinnings or if it merely exploited paperwork procedures. Apart from these two, the rest of the Triton range sold there continue to offer standard payload capacities between 1,030 KG and 1,110 KG.

How Mitsubishi achieved this remains unclear, though sources have not ruled out either tweaks to the pick-up truck's chassis underpinnings or perhaps an exploitation of paperwork procedures in Australia.

What remains unchanged though is the powertrain as all variants of the new third-gen Triton marketed Down Under harness a 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel mill paired with a 6-speed automatic box and the choice between rear- (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD).

These ‘reduced payload’ guises also continue to share the same 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel powertrain primed across all variants, which develops 201 HP. The mill is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and the choice between rear- (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD).

Critically, the reduced payload variants of the Triton will now see it stand as a top choice for “novated leasing” buyers mentioned. Basically, this scheme is a three-way agreement between the lease, their employer, and a finance or leasing company.

Lease payments are automatically deducted from one’s salary, explaining the employer’s involvement with the deal. And unlike regular leases, applicants effectively can deduct the annual cost of the payments from their taxable income, while sparing the GST. 

Locally, the new third-gen Triton is slated to arrive this year, though it remains unclear as to exactly when Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) will officially launch it.

Like traditional leases, this agreement can include running costs such as insurance, service, tyres and registration can al be included for a set-period with a pre-determined annual mileage.

Whilst such a purchasing scheme is uncommon here in Malaysia, the new third-gen Mitsubishi Triton promises to be common sight on Malaysian roads soon. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) have not disclosed any official launch dates, but sources inside have confirmed that it arrives this year.