Will Mitsubishi build production version of DST Concept in PH?

Last week, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) pledged to invest PHP 7 billion in the Philippines over the course of 5 years. The investment commitment was confirmed during a meeting between MMC president & CEO Takao Kato and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacanan Palace.

According to Kato, the investment will see the automaker add a new production model at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation's (MMPC) Sta. Rosa plant in Laguna. In addition, President Marcos mentioned that MMC would be included in the government's Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) Program, a proposed successor to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program.

With MMPC set to produce a new vehicle at its Sta. Rosa plant, we're curious as to what exactly they will build in the future. One of the possible models MMPC might build is the production version of the DST Concept which made its global debut at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).

It's a sleek 7-seater compact SUV that shares its styling cues with the XForce and is slightly bigger in size. The DST Concept also features a distinct Dynamic Shield grille, eye-catching LED daytime running lights, and an extended rear body to house two additional seats. Combined with its stylish looks, the DST Concept could become a popular offering given that 7-seater vehicles are a staple on Philippine roads.

Another possible vehicle Mitsubishi could build in the Philippines is the Xpander. In 2023, the Department of Trade & Industry enticed MMPC to manufacture the said MPV in the Philippines. Since the volume target of the Mirage G4 under the CARS Program was not met because of the pandemic at the time, the DTI aimed to bring the production of a new model to meet the CARS program requirements which they hope would come in the form of the Xpander.

Given the Xpander's popularity in the Philippines (it ranked fourth in the top ten best-selling vehicles of 2024 in PH), having the 7-seater MPV built locally could help produce jobs as well as possibly lower its price.

For now, MIMPC is still quiet about what vehicle they will produce in the near future. But given the huge investment MMC will put into the country, we'll be keeping a close eye on what the company has in store.