After 30 years on the market, Mitsubishi's pickup is no longer produced in its current configuration; new generation arrives soon
Mitsubishi has ended production of the current generation of the L200 pickup truck in Brazil, marking the end of an industrial cycle of more than three decades. The automaker interrupted the manufacture of the model at the plant in Catalão (GO), operated by HPE, to start the modernization of the assembly line. The measure aims to prepare the unit for the arrival of the new global generation of the truck, expected to debut soon in the domestic market.
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The trajectory of the L200 is intertwined with the history of Mitsubishi itself in Brazil. Recognized for its mechanical robustness and off-road capability, the pickup was instrumental in building the brand’s image in the 4×4 segment, historically competing with heavyweight rivals such as Toyota Hilux and Chevrolet S10. The model was responsible for inaugurating the production of the Goiás factory and, over the years, has retained a customer base that prioritizes durability over urban luxuries.
The discontinuation of the current generation does not mean the abandonment of the segment, but a strategic and technological transition. Faced with newly renewed competitors, such as the new Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi needed to update its portfolio. The next generation of the pickup, already known abroad, promises to raise the level of embedded technology, safety and energy efficiency — items increasingly demanded by consumers and environmental standards.
The end of national production of the L200 will also allow the brand to introduce more efficient engines and driving assistance systems that the old platform did not support.
