Mitsubishi Raider

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Mitsubishi Raider

Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler
Parent company	Mitsubishi Motors
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Warren, Michigan
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Class	Mid-size pickup truck
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck
Layout	FR layout/All wheel drive
Platform	ND
Engine	3.7L 210 hp V6 4.7L 230 hp V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	131.3 in
Length	219.9 in
Width	71.9 in
Height	68.6 in
Fuel capacity	22 US gal.
Related	Dodge Dakota
Similar	Ford Ranger Nissan Frontier Toyota Tacoma

The Mitsubishi Raider is a pickup truck from Mitsubishi Motors that debuted in the fall of 2005 as a 2006 model for the United States market and is based largely on the Dodge Dakota. The Raider filled the gap in the Mitsubishi lineup since the discontinuation of the Mighty Max in 1996. The Raider is built in the United States by DaimlerChrysler. Engine choices included a 4.7 L PowerTech V8 making 230 hp and 290 ft·lbf and a 3.7 L PowerTech V6 which produced 210 hp. It is also Mitsubishi's first V8 engine for North America.

The name is recycled from the Dodge Raider SUV sold from 1987 to 1990, which was a rebadged Mitsubishi Montero.

377 and 492 units were sold in January and February 2006 respectively, compared to 4,583 and 6,260 Dakotas. Mitsubishi dealers reportedly have a six-month supply of Raiders on their lots, and the company asked DaimlerChrysler to cut production.^[1] 9,861 Raiders were built in 2005, and just 297 more were built from the first of the year through March 11, 2006 according to Automotive News.^[2]

The Raider is not currently available in Canada, where the brand has only sold since roughly 2003. It is quite likely a combination of both this, as well as the fact that the model does not receive hardly any advertising (especially compared to its Dodge sibling) that the Raider has seen lower sales numbers, despite being mechanically identical, and priced close to the more popular Dakota.

Recently a concept truck was rebadged as the Street Raider and designed by Mitsubishi's California design studio. It first appeared at the 2005 SEMA automotive show and since then has been shown at various automotive shows around the United States. It includes 22 inch custom wheels, custom dual exhaust, and a lowered stance among other features not found on a stock Raider. The Street Raider carries a mooted price tag of $60,000, although there are no current plans to sell it.^[3]