Mitsubishi boss predicts Triton supply challenges

MITSUBISHI’S just lately launched Triton has Australian ute consumers excited. However based on Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) CEO, Shaun Westcott, transport, and logistics constraints might have an effect on provide of the all-new mannequin coinciding with its launch in early 2024.

Chatting with Australian journalists gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, for the worldwide debut of the all-new Triton late final month, Mr Westcott mentioned the affect of COVID-19 associated international freight actions is much from over, and that the importer is already going through “challenges” six months from Triton’s native debut.

“The problem that now we have proper now could be, that whilst semiconductor costs and provide constraints have dissipated to a point, logistic (pricing and availability) has picked up and created a headache of its personal,” he mentioned.

“With the present lens on the place transport and logistics capability, and harbours, ports and quarantine limitations are set, there could be some challenges which might be at odds with the automobile’s arrival, given we’re solely six months’ out from launching this automobile.”

Mr Westcott defined that though Australian Triton manufacturing slots are confirmed for December, transport availability on the time is tighter than ever.

Mitsubishi is the third largest automobile producer in Thailand and the second largest exporter, competing alongside BMW, Ford, GWM, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota for area on roll-on/roll-off (RORO) carriers leaving Thai ports to over 120 worldwide markets.

Twelve per cent of Mitsubishi’s Thai-built exports head to Australia and New Zealand (see full breakdown under).

The producer at present produces some 270,000 automobiles yearly (with capability of as much as 424,000 models yearly) in Thailand, together with the Triton and associated Pajero Sport, in addition to the Outlander PHEV and Mirage and Attrage mild automobile offered predominantly in Southeast Asia.

All are vying for area on RORO carriers.

“Wanting on the present backlogs we’re experiencing – and after I see ‘we’ I imply Mitsubishi and multitudes of different producers – throughout the provision chain, I’ve a nasty feeling that there could also be some provide and logistics challenges with Triton,” he mentioned.

“The issue isn’t manufacturing capability. It’s transport and logistics.”

Car manufacturing is Thailand’s third largest business with annual capability of greater than three million models. Greater than 520,000 individuals are employed in automobile manufacturing and meeting.

There are some 19 automotive and eight motorbike producers with manufacturing services in Thailand – to not point out an in depth community of greater than 1800 OEM and aftermarket part and tyre producers.

Mitsubishi Thailand international exports (FY22*):

*Based mostly on FY22 manufacturing of 270,000 models.