2022 Mitsubishi Triton: Aftermarket head unit fitted due to chip shortage

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has replaced the stock head unit fitted to some grades of the 2022 Triton ute due to the ongoing chip shortage.

Higher-spec examples of the MY22 Mitsubishi Triton feature an aftermarket infotainment system – referred to as ‘Mi-Display’ – with stock of the brand’s own Smartphone-link Display Audio system unable to keep up with rising demand for the Triton amid the chip crisis.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility has been retained with the aftermarket unit, however, the HDMI port previously fitted as standard has been removed from selected Triton variants.

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Image credit: Berwick Mitsubishi

Variants receiving the 7-inch aftermarket unit include; GLX+, GLX-R, GLS and GSR. The base GLX continues to feature Mitsubishi's own, smaller 6.1-inch infotainment system without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As a result of the shortage, Mitsubishi now only has enough stock to offer the 360-degree camera system, once standard on the flagship GSR, as an option.

The 360-degree camera and normal Smartphone-link Display Audio system are also included as options on the GLS Deluxe grade.

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Above: the Smartphone-link Display Audio system

“The reason for the audio change in MY22 was in response to semi-conductor related supply shortages.

“The top-grade GSR (with tan orange interior option) was prioritised to retain the [Smartphone-link Display Audio] unit. There were also enough units to supply the GLS Deluxe grade”.

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Wheels understands the model-year 22.5 Triton – set to launch around June – will return to using the regular head unit, with the 360-degree to again become standard-fit on the GSR, as was the case from 2019 (in now-discontinued GLS Premium guise) to 2021.

The company spokesperson said Mitsubishi will “advise of MY22.5 updates as soon as they are finalised”.

Last month, the Mitsubishi Triton posted its highest sales figures since June 2018, with 3811 deliveries – up 116.1 per cent over February 2021 – to put the Triton in third place on the overall sales charts. This was the third-highest sales number ever recorded for the Triton, behind June 2014 (4124) and June 2018 (3919).

In addition, Mitsubishi has been forced to make several changes across its local range to ensure it has a steady supply of vehicles.

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In June 2021, the ASX and Eclipse Cross were bolstered with new special edition variants, in order to reduce wait times.

These limited-edition models sat alongside regular production grades, but with the omission of blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

“Over the past year, we’ve worked with our dealers to understand the challenges they have with supply constraints, largely related to COVID-19, but now compounded with the semi-conductor challenges, and also what key features customers want to see,” said Owen Thompson, Mitsubishi Motors Australia's senior manager of product strategy, when the special edition models were announced.

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Pricing and specifications for the new-generation Outlander were also altered in February for model-year 2022.5, due to supply issues associated with the chip shortage.

The entry-level ES now sports a one-touch power window operation for the driver's side only, rather than both sides, while the LS loses its electric tailgate.

Meanwhile, the mid-spec Aspire swaps its fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster for a semi-digital 7-inch display. Pricing for the flagship Exceed and Exceed Tourer variants was also bumped up by $500 and $1000 respectively due to higher production costs, with no changes to standard equipment.