Mitsubishi Prepares New Electric Vehicle For Australia With Local Tuning Already Underway

Mitsubishi Motors is getting ready to launch its first mass-market electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, with local engineers already playing a key role in shaping how it drives on Australian roads.

Set to arrive in the second half of 2026, the new EV will be manufactured in Taiwan through a partnership with Foxconn’s automotive division, Foxtron. While it will be rebadged and restyled by Mitsubishi, the vehicle is widely expected to be based on the Foxtron Model B, a compact hatchback platform designed for global markets.

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Built Overseas, Tuned for Australian Roads

Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed that tuning for local conditions is underway. Test drives have already taken place on public roads and at Victoria’s Lang Lang proving ground. Mitsubishi's ride and handling team, reassembled specifically for upcoming models, is working on adapting the EV’s suspension and steering to suit Australian preferences.

The team is led by product strategy manager Tony Dorrington and has been evaluating competitor EVs to ensure Mitsubishi’s offering meets expectations. Prototypes of the EV are expected to arrive in the coming months for further on-ground development.

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Specifications: What We Know So Far

Though Mitsubishi hasn't officially named or fully detailed the model, industry insights suggest it will closely follow the Foxtron Model B’s layout.

The vehicle’s shape places it somewhere between a hatchback and a crossover, taller than a typical hatch but not quite a full SUV.

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Price Positioning and Market Challenges

To compete in Australia’s value-driven EV segment, Mitsubishi’s new model will need to deliver strong specs at an affordable price. The benchmark appears to be the MG4, which retails from around $43,000 driveaway. Mitsubishi is aware that pricing will be critical, particularly in a market already crowded with EVs in this category.

Mitsubishi Australia’s CEO, Shaun Westcott, has acknowledged the challenge of making EVs financially viable while meeting Australia's upcoming emissions standards. The upcoming New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES), which takes effect in 2026, will penalise brands with high average emissions across their fleets.

With internal combustion vehicles like the Triton and petrol Outlander forming a large part of its current sales mix, Mitsubishi sees this EV as a strategic move to offset NVES penalties.

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NVES and Mitsubishi’s Electrification Strategy

Westcott admitted the market isn't yet demanding large EV volumes, but added that brands like Mitsubishi must still prepare or face “significant penalties.”

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Commitment Locked In

Behind the scenes, Mitsubishi and Foxtron finalised an agreement in May 2025 to ensure right-hand-drive production of the vehicle for both Australia and New Zealand. The second half of 2026 has been earmarked for launch.

While the vehicle’s name and pricing remain under wraps, one thing is clear—Mitsubishi is betting big on its upcoming EV to help navigate a shifting regulatory and consumer landscape.

“We have a product. We'll bring it to market when the conditions make sense,” said Westcott.

As EV adoption rises and emissions rules tighten, Mitsubishi’s new EV could become a crucial piece of its long-term strategy in Australia.