The Mitsubishi Triton ute is expected to join the growing list of vehicles that will remain on sale in Australia after their outdated five-star safety ratings expire at the end of this year.
All new motor vehicles with a safety rating from 2015 or earlier will be deemed “unrated” by Australia’s car safety watchdog, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – unless they are updated and resubmitted to new tests, or replaced by a new model.
In the case of the Mitsubishi Triton, Drive understands it will likely soldier on in its current guise – unchanged and unrated – until an all-new model arrives some time next year.
As with other affected vehicles, the Mitsubishi Triton will not be stripped of its five-star safety rating awarded in 2015 – but the score will appear under the “previous models” section of the ANCAP website from the end of this year.
As forecast several years ago, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) will from the start of 2023 begin enforcing a six-year expiry date on outdated safety ratings for new cars that are still on sale.
Some vehicles – such as the Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Amarok – still have a five-star safety rating based on 2011 crash-testing criteria, even though both vehicles would be unlikely to earn the same score if assessed to today’s more stringent requirements.
The Volkswagen Amarok is due to be replaced by a new model late this year or early next, while a new-generation Toyota Prado is also expected some time in the next two years or so.
Although ANCAP does not have the authority to ban or approve vehicles for sale in Australia, the not-for-profit program – funded by state and territory governments – has become the default car safety benchmark.
In response to criticism outdated car safety ratings were being compared to more recent scores – tested against much tougher criteria – ANCAP will from the end of this year enforce a six-year expiry date.
A statement from Mitsubishi Australia to Drive said: “Mitsubishi is committed to delivering vehicles which deliver excellent levels of active and passive safety for our customers. We are currently considering the latest ANCAP protocols within the context of our new model development schedule, to ensure this commitment is maintained.”
While Mitsubishi Australia declined to comment on future model plans – or when the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton is due in local showrooms – Drive understands the new model is approaching the final stages of development and could be here by the end of next year.
The first spy photos of the next Mitsubishi Triton surfaced two weeks ago – after two test ‘mules’, disguised under today’s bodywork, were spotted winter testing near the Arctic Circle.
These early prototypes indicate the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton is still at least 18 months away from showrooms, because the vehicle is yet to be spotted testing while wearing its new production body.
Spy photos showed the next Mitsubishi Triton will grow in size – and be closer in proportions to the top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – and have a larger footprint, giving it better road-holding.
Given the new safety mandates, the next Mitsubishi Triton is also likely to come with a complete suite of advanced driver assistance technology.
However, the extra features – and the engineering investment required for an all-new model – will likely lead to higher prices.
The Mitsubishi Triton is currently the third or fourth best-selling ute in Australia (it varies from month to month), buoyed by sharp drive-away pricing compared to its rivals.
Meanwhile, the new Mitsubishi Triton will also form the basis of the next Nissan Navara, following the recent partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan.
The Mitsubishi Triton-based version of the new-generation Nissan Navara is expected to follow some time in 2024 or 2025, having undergone a facelift last year, to keep it fresh a little while longer yet.
Both the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are expected to continue offer a range of diesel engines with their new-generation models – but are also expected to be joined by plug-in hybrid options at some point during the next lifecycle.
MORE: Spy photos of next Mitsubishi Triton
MORE: Six-year expiry on safety ratings explained
Keyword: Mitsubishi Triton to stay on sale after safety rating expires, new model around the corner