Huge shipment of utes inbound to beat January 1 levy.

CORPORATE cynicism of the ute tax? No way: It’s all about answering consumer outcry.

So says Mitsubishi in explaining more about why it is actioning a plan to ship in and sell 5500 additional Tritons ahead of Government’s traydeck-penalising emission initiative.

In explaining how his operation has secured an incoming bulk shipment that essentially equates to the usual annual order his operation places with head office, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand chief operating officer Daniel Cook said the deal was simply meeting a matter of being able to meet clear demand expressed by the country’s farmers and tradies. 

It was they who were keen to buy a new ute before the Clean Car initiative enacts on January 1 – at which point vehicles emitting excessive CO2 will be penalised with a levy additional to the purchase price. All turbodiesel utes sold in New Zealand fall into that sphere.

While it was true that MMNZ is making the best of an opportunity, it would not have bothered if it imagined the demand wasn’t there.

“I think you can look at the numbers and appreciate that the rural community and the tradespeople that normally buy utes are going to try and beat that tax.

“We have had a lot of demand from people asking ‘when can you get us a vehicle? We want to beat that tax.’”

More than 50 percent of Triton customers work in infrastructure, trade or agriculture, he says.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to support them so robustly in the face of ongoing global supply issues and shipping delays, as well as the price rises that will result from the Government's feebate scheme. We hope this will provide some peace of mind in challenging times.

“We’re trying to support them by getting them the cars.”

Naturally, it’s good for MMNZ too, he adds. Five and a half thousand units – the brand originally said 5000 in a release, but Cook says that was understated – is a big consignment.

 “That count would typically represent a good year’s worth of Triton sales. We’ve had our best year on record and it’s not over yet; demand for all our products is very strong.”

Cook says months of talks ultimately required a special sign-off from head office, as it means the sole production plant in Thailand will for the next few months basically consider our country as an exclusive client – assuredly, other designated markets will miss out because of this.

As well as arranging a special build schedule, logistics have also had to be stepped up. The brand has had to sort additional shipping to get the vehicles here.

 On top of all this, the Covid-19 pandemic demands consideration; Thailand is the production hub for all Japanese brands involved in ute-making (and Ford as well) and has been hit hard by the virus. Not just the assembly line but also suppliers. Core components, including vital computer chips, are no easily secured.

 “It’s fair to say our parent company is suffering from all the same major shortages and challenges facing the entire car industry. They’re not immune and are tackling a shortage in parts and so on.”

Crucial to the deal being sorted was the special relationship the national organisation enjoys with HQ. 

“They have explicitly prioritised production for New Zealand – it is a very important market for them. I think that is where we are reasonably unique; for a lot of brands, NZ is a small drop (in respect to car production uptake) but we have done well for them and this is them acknowledging that.”

The current Triton likely has two more years production. The next generation will follow the new Outlander in becoming a vehicle built within the auspices of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi partnership relationship. As such it will be based on a Nissan platform, though development will be by Mitsubishi, Cook believes.

The 2022 range adds additional safety equipment to the base editions.

Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing front wipers, front fog lamps, and light-sensing headlamps are standard in the GLX Club Cab and Double Cab Chassis base models through to the premium 4WD Double Cab VRX.

GLX-R and VRX models also achieve Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an Ultrasonic Miss-acceleration Mitigation System, as well as front and rear parking sensors and auto high beam.

 The new GLX-R 4WD models are now better equipped to tackle challenging conditions – on par with the top-of-the-range VRX 4WD – with the addition of Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD system alongside Off-Road Mode and Hill Descent Control.

A new rear-drive VRX Black Edition features a leather-appointed interior with an all- black exterior styling.

“Our Black Edition 4WD model has proved hugely popular, so we are pleased to introduce the same distinctive sense of style to our 2WD range for the first time,” said head of marketing and corporate affairs Reece Congdon.

The Black Edition encompasses a black dynamic shield front design with a black grille, black bumper garnish and headlamp surround, black 18” alloys, black side steps, door mirrors and handles, black tailgate garnish and rear step bumper, plus Black Edition badging on each fender.

"With an unprecedented volume about to hit our shores in the coming quarter, now is the time for customers to secure an upgraded Triton before the feebate scheme hits in January," said Cook.

Any customers who may still be restricted by higher lockdown levels won't miss out and are advised to call the Mitsubishi Motors team on 0800 54 53 52 to start their order.