Honda may finally be considering entering the body-on-frame bakkie game by adopting Mitsubishi’s capable Triton platform, with a global release possibly happening as early as 2028…
Honda is reportedly planning to source the Mitsubishi Triton under an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement. Reports from Japanese publication Yomiuri suggest this move represents the first major product rollout from the ongoing strategic talks between the two automakers. Industry rumours suggest the Triton-based Honda bakkie will launch in Southeast Asia by 2028, with the companies reportedly assessing introducing this model to additional global markets at a later stage. The proposed arrangement aims to strengthen ties across a developing three-way alliance that also includes Nissan.
The report further suggests that Honda wants to source additional vehicle platforms from Mitsubishi in the future. The two brands are allegedly considering the joint development of cabin components.
Although Honda ended formal merger discussions with Nissan in February 2025, collaborative talks across Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi have continued. Honda and Nissan reached an agreement in August 2026 to jointly develop core software-defined vehicle technology.
Honda already sells the Ridgeline unibody bakkie in North America
Honda currently lacks a dedicated ladder-frame bakkie in its global portfolio. Facing market headwinds in Southeast Asia, Honda reportedly views the Triton as a quick solution to bolster regional sales, while avoiding massive development costs. The Honda Ridgeline exists as a US-exclusive utility pickup. This model is underpinned by the firm’s Global Light Truck heavy-duty unibody platform, which is shared with three-row crossovers like the Pilot and Passport. This adoption sets it apart from traditional body-on-frame offerings in the region. Key benefits of the direction include improved ride quality, handling, and structural rigidity.
Honda designed and engineered this platform specifically for North American consumer preferences, with the Ridgeline exclusively built at the manufacturer’s Lincoln plant in Alabama. Because global markets outside Canada and the United States favour more traditional ladder-frame bakkies like the Toyota Hilux, which retained first place among the best-selling bakkies in South Africa in September 2026, and the Ford Ranger, Honda limits the V6 petrol-powered unibody Ridgeline to the North American market. This strategy caters directly to buyers who prioritise everyday crossover drivability over high-payload commercial utility.
