Mitsubishi Pajero Gets 4,000 Pre-Orders, Eyes Higher Production

Mitsubishi Pajero Receives 4,000 Pre-Orders in Japan

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Mitsubishi Motors) announced on October 14 that its new Mitsubishi Motors Pajero full-fledged off-road vehicle had received 4,000 pre-orders in Japan. The orders exceeded the company's sales target for the Japanese market for the fiscal year ending in March 2027 (FY2026). In response to the stronger-than-targeted initial demand, Mitsubishi Motors said it would consider increasing production at its Thai plant, where the new Pajero is manufactured. Company President Keisuke Kishiura disclosed the pre-order figure during a press interview at Japan Mobility Show (JMS) Bizweek 2026, held at Makuhari Messe in Mihama Ward, Chiba City. The announcement highlights the model's early order performance and the company's consideration of additional production capacity.

Pre-Orders Exceed the Japanese Sales Target

Mitsubishi Motors began accepting orders for the new Pajero on October 1, and sales are scheduled to start on December 17. The company had planned global sales of 10,000 units during FY2026, including 4,000 units allocated to the Japanese market. The Japanese allocation was reached within two weeks of the order books opening, prompting the company to consider increasing production for domestic customers. The reported pre-orders represent demand received before the vehicle's scheduled sales launch, rather than confirmed deliveries or completed sales. The company has not announced a finalized production increase in the supplied information. Its consideration of higher output indicates that the initial order volume has exceeded the original Japanese-market target, creating a potential need to review production allocation and capacity.

Thai Plant Faces Production Considerations After Flooding

The Thai plant responsible for producing the new Pajero was affected by flooding caused by heavy rain in late September and early October. According to the announcement, the facility halted operations from the night shift on September 28 through October 9. The interruption preceded Mitsubishi Motors' October 14 disclosure that Japanese pre-orders had reached 4,000 units. With the domestic target already achieved and the manufacturing facility having experienced a temporary shutdown, the company is considering whether to boost production at the plant. The supplied information does not specify the extent of any production losses caused by the flooding, the current output rate, or the volume and timing of a possible increase. Those details remain unconfirmed, so the production decision should be distinguished from the company's established pre-order announcement.

Production Plans and Sales Timeline

The new Pajero's sales schedule and production considerations place the next steps around the December 17 launch and the FY2026 sales plan. Mitsubishi Motors initially targeted 4,000 units for Japan as part of its planned 10,000-unit global sales volume for the fiscal year ending in March 2027. Reaching the Japanese pre-order target within two weeks has led the company to consider additional output for that market. However, the announcement does not confirm whether the global target will change, how many additional vehicles might be produced, or whether the allocation between Japan and other markets will be revised. The Thai plant's recent operational interruption is also relevant to production planning, although its specific effect on future availability has not been quantified. Further company announcements would be needed to establish any revised production schedule.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Pajero's early Japanese pre-order performance gives Mitsubishi Motors a reason to reassess how production is allocated ahead of the vehicle's sales launch. Reaching the domestic target before sales begin may increase pressure to provide sufficient vehicles for Japanese customers while maintaining the company's broader global sales plan. The Thai plant's recent flood-related shutdown adds an operational consideration to any decision about expanding output, but the available information does not establish the scale of its production impact. The next meaningful developments will be whether Mitsubishi confirms a production increase, provides revised output or allocation figures, and maintains its planned launch schedule. For customers and dealers, those decisions could affect vehicle availability, while the company's response will determine how it addresses demand beyond the original Japanese-market target.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pre-orders has the new Mitsubishi Pajero received in Japan?
The new Mitsubishi Pajero received 4,000 pre-orders in Japan, according to Mitsubishi Motors' announcement on October 14, 2026. The company began accepting orders on October 1, meaning the Japanese-market target was reached within two weeks. The 4,000-unit figure was also the company's planned sales allocation for Japan during FY2026, which ends in March 2027. These figures refer to pre-orders and the planned market allocation; they do not establish the number of vehicles already delivered to customers.

When will sales of the new Mitsubishi Pajero begin?
Mitsubishi Motors has scheduled the start of sales for its new Pajero for December 17, 2026, following the opening of pre-orders on October 1. The company announced on October 14 that Japanese pre-orders had reached 4,000 units before the scheduled launch. This early order performance exceeded the planned Japanese-market target for FY2026. The supplied announcement does not provide further details about customer deliveries, specific trim availability, or any changes to the launch schedule, so those details should not be assumed.

What are Mitsubishi Motors' sales targets for the new Pajero?
Mitsubishi Motors planned global sales of 10,000 new Pajero units during FY2026, with 4,000 units allocated to Japan. The Japanese allocation was reached in pre-orders within two weeks of orders opening on October 1. The company is therefore considering increasing production for the Japanese market. However, the announcement does not confirm a revised global sales target, an additional production quantity, or a change to the allocation for other markets. The original figures remain the stated targets unless Mitsubishi Motors announces an update.

Why is Mitsubishi Motors considering increasing Pajero production?
Mitsubishi Motors is considering increasing production because the new Pajero received 4,000 Japanese pre-orders within two weeks, reaching the planned domestic sales allocation for FY2026. The vehicle is manufactured at the company's Thai plant, and the company has identified that facility as the location where production could be increased. The announcement does not confirm a final decision, a specific increase in output, or a revised manufacturing schedule. Any additional production would need to be assessed against the company's production capacity and market allocation plans.

Did flooding affect production of the new Mitsubishi Pajero?
Yes. Mitsubishi Motors reported that heavy-rain-related flooding affected the Thai plant producing the new Pajero, leading to a halt in operations from the night shift on September 28 through October 9, 2026. The company subsequently announced on October 14 that Japanese pre-orders had reached 4,000 units. Although the shutdown is relevant to production planning, the supplied information does not quantify lost output, identify any resulting delivery delays, or establish how the interruption will affect future production. Those consequences remain unconfirmed.