Iconic badges to return? Mitsubishi Lancer and Montero nameplates trademarked in the US suggest Nissan Patrol twinned Pajero and Nissan Leaf relation are coming

Consigned to the history books when production for Australia ceased in 2017, it looks like Mitsubishi could breathe life into the Lancer badge again with a new electric car. 

Meanwhile, Montero was the Pajero’s name in the United States and Latin America as ‘pajero’ is a derogatory term in Spanish. 

New patent filings in the US (following Mitsubishi’s renewed interest in the market after strong sales), suggest the Lancer Sportback and Montero (Pajero) names could return.

Don’t expect another Lancer Evolution, or necessarily a direct Pajero/Montero replacement. The Eclipse Cross was, after all, a decent small SUV but a rather mediocre tribute to the nameplate’s sporting heritage. 

Though there were no passenger cars previewed in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 teaser, the Lancer Sportback name could apply to one of the smaller SUVs pictured in the shadowy line-up.

If the Lancer Sportback does come to fruition, it’s to do so as an electric car. With Mitsubishi and Nissan’s alliance partnership, there are rumours a 10th-gen Lancer could share a platform with the next-generation Leaf. 

Mitsubishi Momentum 2030 teaser.

First, though, the name will have to get past the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as the trademark was initially rejected in the country. Mitsubishi has since appealed. 

Next up it is the Montero nameplate, also recently patented in the United States. Rumours of a new Pajero as a halo for the brand have been running for a number of years now with the nameplate being retired following the closure of Mitsubishi's Sakahogi plant in March 2021.

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero render (Image: Theottle/YouTube)

The most plausible option for the new Pajero is a platform shared with Nissan’s ‘Y63’ Patrol, which will be based heavily on the Infiniti QX80. Expect Mitsubishi’s take to be differentiated, potentially by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Far from ignoring and dispelling rumours, Mitsubishi executives in Australia and Japan have gone on record saying they would love to see the Pajero again.

Mitsubishi Pajero.

"I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product.

"For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here,” local CEO Shaun Westcott previously told CarsGuide. 

Along with the newly stoked Montero/Pajero and Lancer rumours, Mitsubishi is facing a large-scale product renewal in the coming years. A new pick-up truck larger than the Triton for the United States, potentially a global Delica off-road van, hardcore Outlander and more are expected.