Mitsubishi plans to electrify half of its fleet by 2030 and become a fully electric brand by 2035. The first step towards this is announced for 2026, when an electric SUV should hit the market. This is the manufacturer’s second EV after the i-MiEV.
By 2028, the Japanese manufacturer plans to launch nine EVs, including two on Renault/Nissan platforms, a two-row SUV, as well as a mid-size pickup that will be developed in cooperation with Nissan and will be produced in Mexico.
Although the company is still hiding a lot, some information says that it could be similar to an electric crossover that will succeed the Nissan Leaf. Nissan’s electric crossover will debut by the end of 2025, when production will also start.
What we know for now is that the new SUV will be built on the AmpR Medium platform. The same platform is used by the Nissan Ariya, Renault Megane E-Tech and Renault Scenic E-Tech.
The Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter Sensor Collect concept is an electric garbage truck that, thanks to autonomous technology, follows the worker/driver during waste collection. It is part of the program of the Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JESC), to reduce CO2 during waste collection, and increase work efficiency.
The first concept was produced in 2020, while this is an improved version based on the production eCanter, equipped with a 6.4-ton lithium-ion battery. The vehicle was tested in the city of Kawasaki, and the truck successfully handled various situations while following its driver who was walking in front of it.
The truck is equipped with front and rear cameras and sensors, thanks to which it follows the driver when he leaves his seat and starts walking. It stops at places for waste collection or other places designated by the operator, which significantly reduces the burden on the worker, who does not have to constantly get in and out of the vehicle. It is also equipped with level 2 autonomous driving technology and level 2 ADAS, which is common in most new production vehicles. Some may feel that they need a higher level of autonomy, but these systems are still good enough for low-speed operations, and the garbage truck follows a predetermined waste collection route with no problem.
Thanks to the cameras, the vehicle can detect various obstacles and other road users. If there is a person in front of the vehicle, the system will activate the brakes and avoid contact, or if another vehicle is parked along the route of the truck, it will make a maneuver and bypass it, and then continue to follow its driver.
In addition, this vehicle has a system that detects the weight and volume of loaded waste, as well as the number of loaded pieces of waste, and shares the information with central facilities, which helps improve efficiency.
The company said that they will continue testing during the year, which will contribute to the development of the next generation of its electric trucks.
The Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi presented the new generation of the L200 model. It is a mid-sized pickup, known in other markets as the Triton, whose first generation appeared on the market four and a half decades ago.
After a decade since the fifth generation appeared, the new L200 brings a complete redesign under the slogan “Power for Adventure”, and the Mitsubishi Ralliart department also participated in the development of this car. It received a new chassis adapted to the larger body with a 60% increase in torsional stiffness. The suspension is also unique, and the Super Select 4WD-II system comes with an upgraded seven driving modes for different surfaces (normal, eco, gravel, snow, mud, sand and rocks) for better performance on and especially off-road. There is also a new front fascia, but also significant improvements in safety and comfort.
The L200 is powered by a 2.4L turbo-diesel with 150 hp (110 kW) and 243 lb-ft (330 Nm) of torque. There will be two more versions with 183 hp (135 kW) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque and the most powerful version with 204 hp (150 kW) and 347 lb-ft (470 Nm) of torque. All versions will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with sports mode or a manual transmission, also with six speeds, but with a shift-by-wire system that allows for easy shifting and reduced engine vibrations.
Inside, the cabin has been completely redesigned, but the analog gauges have been retained. In the central part of the dashboard, there is a touch screen under which there are buttons for AC. The car is equipped with USB A plus C ports, and a wireless phone charger.
