Published Aug 20, 2026 05:53 pm
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is further solidifying its position as an emerging powerhouse in the domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry, as it rolls out the new Outlander as its latest flagship model.
MMPC is launching the Outlander plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) to further deepen its offering of higher-priced vehicles and provide local consumers with access to one of Japan’s best-selling sports utility vehicle (SUV).
“The all-new Outlander PHEV is MMPC’s new SUV flagship model. It will be available through authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealerships nationwide starting August 20, 2026,” said MMPC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritsu Imaeda.
Imaeda said the new vehicle shows “the power of both worlds,” as it can switch seamlessly between electric and gasoline power through its 2.4-liter gasoline engine with front and rear electric motors.
Effectively eliminating range anxiety, the Outlander PHEV has a combined driving range of almost 1,000 kilometers (km), with up to 100 km of pure electric range alone.
Selling at ₱2.85 million, the Outlander PHEV is a direct response to MMPC’s parent firm and Japanese automotive giant Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s (MMC) long-term strategy to build up the Philippine market.
Earlier, MMC said that it plans to expand sales of higher-margin models in the country on the back of broader sales finance offerings.
At present, the Philippines is the largest market for MMC outside Japan.
MMPC Chairman Noriaki Hirakata told reporters earlier this month that launching the Outlander PHEV is part of the company’s commitment to further strengthen its position in the country.
He said the model is designed with Southeast Asia’s weather patterns in mind, with the vehicle able to handle flooding well, specifically water depths of around 30 to 40 centimeters.
The vehicle can also be used during emergency situations, with a fully charged battery capable of serving as a temporary power source for up to 10 days.
Hirakata said the company will soon launch financial programs to make higher-priced models more affordable across all customer segments in the country.
In the meantime, MMPC is offering special introductory pricing of ₱2.75 million for reservations and purchases of the Outlander PHEV until Sept. 30.
Since there are only four months left in the year, Hirakata said the share of the Outlander PHEV in terms of sales would be “very small.”
He hinted that MMPC is targeting a higher share for the model next year, although he refrained from providing a specific sales target.
This year, MMPC intends to raise its share of the local market to 20 percent, from its current 17.76-percent share as of the six months through June, based on industry data.
The company is targeting to expand its share to 25 percent in the medium term, aligning with its plan to manufacture HEV models at its manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, by the middle of 2028.
MMPC plans to invest at least ₱7 billion to locally manufacture HEVs, which would be supported by tax incentives from the government through its EV incentive strategy (EVIS).