Iconic van to come back
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation sold a record total of 89,124 vehicles in 2024, making it the second bestselling brand in the country last year. From these numbers, the Mitsubishi L300 cab and chassis model sold 13,939 units, making it one of the top 10 overall bestselling vehicles locally; thus topping its own particular commercial segment.
For years, the vehicle has been a consistent bestseller for Mitsubishi in the local market, due largely to its reliability, durability, and versatility as a business workhorse.
Not many know, however, that the Mitsubishi L300 was first known as the Versa Van back in the 90s. From its name “Versa” emphasizing its versatile character, the vehicle was used for a number of purposes, including family transport, school buses, delivery trucks, ambulances, and government utility vehicles. It even became a cultural icon as it was largely featured in Filipino action films back then.
Nevertheless, the L300 van version was eventually phased out, paving the way for more popular vehicles nowadays, such as the Xpander and the Montero.
Now, after months of speculations, the iconic Mitsubishi Versa Van, according to reliable sources, is officially making a comeback to the local market by the first quarter of 2026.
LTO documents reveal a Nissan-based Mitsubishi van
News has been circulating in motoring circles as early as October that the Land Transportation Office has already released new homologation documents about a Nissan-based van rebadged under a Mitsubishi marque.
Based on a new LTO Memorandum Circular, the Nissan-based Mitsubishi van will again be named: the “Mitsubishi Versa Van”; and will be rolled out with a number of variants.
Back then, the iconic people carrier was offered with both a 2.0-liter gasoline engine (4G63) and a 2.5-liter diesel engine (4D56), paired exclusively with a manual transmission.
For the new Versa Van, it will be then powered by a 2488cc turbo-diesel engine.
Since the Nissan Urvan also uses the 2.5L YD25DDti turbo-diesel, we can expect the Versa Van to likewise churn out the same numbers: 127hp and 356 N-m of torque. Per reports, the vehicle will be offered in the GLX 2.5D 2WD MT model, offered as a 15-seater van. Size-wise, it will measure 4710mm long, 1999mm wide, 1695mm tall, and will have a 2555mm wheelbase. It will also have a ground clearance of 195mm, capped by 15-inch wheels wrapped in 195/80 series tires.
About time
If you look closely, among the top brands in the country, only Mitsubishi has no current vans to offer. Toyota has its Hiace, Ford has its Transit, Nissan–the Urvan, while Suzuki currently still offers the APV. In other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, a light commercial van, the Mitsubishi Express (a rebadged Renault Trafic) is likewise being offered.
Hence, here in the Philippines, after launching the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator, don’t you think it’s about high time that a new van from the second bestselling brand should be available soon?
