Mitsubishi Motors has commenced global shipments of the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero, marking the start of the flagship SUV's international rollout just two months after its global debut. The Japanese automaker held a ceremonial shipment event at Terminal A5 of Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province, Thailand, on November 9th, 2026, to mark the departure of the first export consignment to Japan.

Japan will be the first export market for the Thailand-made Pajero. Mitsubishi Motors has received more than 9,000 orders in Japan since reservations opened in October, following the return of the flagship model. Its official sales launch in the Japanese market is scheduled for December 17th, 2026, with prices starting at JPY 6.193 million (US$ 38,770) for the entry-level GLS variant.

The all-new Pajero is manufactured at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand's plant in Laem Chabang, Chonburi province. Its development, testing and production have also been carried out in Thailand through collaboration between Thai and Japanese teams. The SUV underwent more than 100,000 kilometres of real-world road testing in the country, allowing its performance to be fine-tuned for different road conditions and customers' driving requirements.

Thai personnel have contributed to every stage of the manufacturing process, including production, assembly, inspection and quality control, with all vehicles required to meet Mitsubishi Motors' global quality standards. The shipment also reinforces Thailand's position as the automaker's largest production base outside Japan and a strategic export hub for its global operations.

More than 80% of the parts manufacturers and suppliers for the all-new Pajero are companies operating in Thailand. Their involvement demonstrates the capabilities of the country's domestic manufacturing and supplier network in supporting vehicle production to international standards. The local supply chain also contributes to the Thai economy through employment, exports and workforce development, while supporting the development of technical skills and expertise and strengthening the competitiveness of the country's automotive industry.

Ryoichi Inaba, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, said the all-new Pajero was one of the most important models for the Mitsubishi Motors brand and represented a legacy spanning more than 44 years. He said the introduction of the new generation went beyond continuing that legacy, building on the brand's identity and expertise to further develop the model in line with the needs and lifestyles of contemporary customers.

Inaba added that Mitsubishi Motors' decision to make Thailand the key production base for the SUV, with plans to export it to Japan and other international markets, reflected the company's confidence in the country and its longstanding 65-year relationship with Thailand. He said the move also demonstrated the automaker's confidence in Thailand's automotive industry and workforce capabilities, adding that the company expected the Thailand-made Pajero to leave a lasting impression on customers worldwide.

Following the initial shipment to Japan, Mitsubishi Motors plans to expand the all-new Pajero's availability to more than 100 countries worldwide from fiscal year 2027. The export programme will cover markets across ASEAN, Latin America and the Middle East.