Nissan recently announced a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing global car sales, named The Arc, which aims to launch 30 new vehicles over the next three years as part of a long-term strategy to transition to electric vehicles while significantly boosting revenue. Amid this financial discussion, Nissan and Mitsubishi are strengthening their partnership through new models, including a new small truck.
Currently, details about the truck remain unknown, except that it is being jointly developed by Nissan and Mitsubishi. Reports suggest that it could ultimately serve as the next generation of the Nissan Frontier. However, it could also bring a Mitsubishi-branded truck back to the U.S. for the first time since 2009. At that time, Mitsubishi collaborated with Dodge to produce the Rider models, which were based on the mid-size Dodge Dakota. This collaboration lasted only a few years and Dakota was discontinued shortly after in 2011.
Mitsubishi already has a very impressive truck known as the Triton, but this pickup is not offered in the U.S. due to the so-called chicken tax, which imposes a 25 percent tariff on light trucks imported to the U.S. but does not apply to vehicles manufactured in North America. The partnership between Nissan and Mitsubishi will see production taking place in Mexico, resulting in a truck with hybrid and electric engines.
Therefore, without the tariff, Mitsubishi can offer a competitive-priced pickup to compete against Ford, Ram, General Motors, Toyota, and its Japanese partner Nissan. Additionally, the expanded partnership will see Mitsubishi using Nissan's electric vehicle technology to offer more electric vehicles in its lineup.
