EDITORIAL: Mitsubishi Xforce HEV to require strong will to enter PH market

MANILA: The possibility of introducing the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) version of the Mitsubishi Xforce in the Philippines will require a strong balancing act between addressing local market demand and aligning with the brand’s global direction.

Currently, the only country where the electrified version of the crossover is being manufactured is Thailand, and it is produced exclusively for the Land of the Smiles. The model assembled there is available only in a right-hand-drive configuration.

This could also indicate that demand in Thailand has reached the volume necessary to justify local production, even if the model is intended solely for that market.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia facility—where the Philippines sources its Xforce units—has yet to produce a left-hand-drive version of the Mitsubishi Xforce HEV. This likely means that the need for the electrified model in left-hand-drive markets has not yet reached the level needed to support production, which could eventually lead to exports to other countries, including the Philippines.

At the time of posting this article, Mitsubishi's Indonesian arm has yet to announce any plans of producing the Xforce HEV.

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Another route for the Three-Diamond marque is through its planned local manufacturing of hybrid models announced early this year. This would make Mitsubishi the first company manufacture electrified four-wheelers in the country.

Zigwheels Philippines expressed firm belief that if the automaker wants to further strengthen its business in the ASEAN region, it should strongly consider introducing the Xforce HEV in the Philippines, since as far as the first half of fiscal year 2025 is concerned, the country is Mitsubishi’s biggest market.

Aside from that, the Mitsubishi Xforce is one of the brand’s products that offers relatively accessible pricing, both locally and abroad.

Recently, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) expanded the crossover’s lineup with the introduction of the new GLX variant. This brings the model’s lineup to three trims, and they are priced at: 

Mitsubishi Xforce GLX	P1.119 million
Mitsubishi Xforce GLS	P1.299 million
Mitsubishi Xforce GT	P1.661 million

Below are the Mitsubishi Xforce HEV’s possible specifications should MMPC decide to introduce the model locally.

Vehicle specifications

For its powertrain, the Thai-spec Mitsubishi Xforce HEV uses a 1.6-liter inline-four MIVEC engine paired with a lithium-ion battery, a two-speed transaxle transmission, and a single electric motor. 

On its own, the Xforce HEV’s internal combustion component can generate up to 107 horsepower (hp) and 134 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. Its electric motor adds a further 116 hp and 255 Nm of torque. 

Like many other HEV models in the market, the electrified Xforce also has regenerative braking. It also has a drive mode selector with seven different profiles to maximize engine efficiency, traction, and power. 

Some notable tech amenities available to the Thai-spec Mitsubishi Xforce HEV include, but are not limited to:

• 12.3-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Nanoe X air purification system
• Yamaha premium dynamic sound system
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Smart key
• Eight-inch digital gauge cluster

Safety-wise, the Thai-market Mitsubishi Xforce HEV comes fitted with a wide array of advanced driver-assist systems. This suite consists of adaptive cruise control, forward collision braking, automatic high beams, lead car departure notification, rear-cross traffic alert, and blind-spot warning with lane change assist. 

Supporting those is a slew of passive safety equipment, including the Mitsubishi in-house-developed Active Yaw Control system. 

In the Land of Smiles, the Mitsubishi Xforce HEV are offered with the following prices:

Variant	Thailand market price
Xforce HEV Ignite	899,000 Baht (Around P1.65 million)
Xforce HEV Ultimate	1.039 million Baht (Around P1.906 million)
Xforce HEV Ultimate X	1.089 million Baht (Around P1.998 million)

Some might say that the pricing would be a little steep since the pricing sit around Montero Sport money, but it is price tag that some buyers are willing to pay for highly efficient powertrains. 

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