A Mitsubishi executive in Australia believes “there’s a market” for a hybrid version of the Triton bakkie.
Speaking to CarsGuide, John Signoriello, head of the Japanese firm Down Under, suggested a hybrid version of the Triton was on the cards, lining up with earlier reports the next-generation version of the bakkie will be electrified in some way.
“I think that [hybrid] technology is a proven technology in our brand. Will it work in an LCV [light commercial vehicle]? I think there’s a market out there for it,” Signoriello told the publication.
He went on to suggest a hybrid Triton would work best for those who used the double-cab bakkie as a lifestyle vehicle rather than an out-and-out workhorse.
“Not everyone needs to be off-road in a [bakkie]. In fact, a lot of them are on bitumen roads, and the technology will get better and better,” Signoriello said.
“And, eventually, at some point, that technology will do better than what diesel technology does. It’s only a matter of time. I think it would be a good point of difference.”
As CarsGuide points out, the next-generation Triton is expected to be developed alongside an all-new Nissan Navara under the Alliance, with both set to hit the market by 2022.
In October 2019, a report claimed the next-generation Triton would be “substantially” larger than the current model and wear a boxier frame. Around the same time, a Toyota official confirmed the Hilux (and indeed the Land Cruiser bakkie) was in line for some sort of electrification.
