Foxconn could soon be building electric cars for Mitsubishi
Foxconn has been planning for years to manufacture electric cars as well as electronics. Negotiations with Mitsubishi are now close to being concluded.
(Image: heise online/vbr)
The Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn and the Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors are on the verge of cooperating on the production of electric cars. According to reports from various sources in Asia, Foxconn is to manufacture electric cars on behalf of Mitsubishi Motors, which will be launched on the market under the Japanese brand. Mitsubishi wants to save production costs, while Foxconn would enter into the production of electric cars on a larger scale by cooperating with the Japanese company.
Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. in Taiwan, had already announced its entry into e-car production in 2021, presenting a sedan, SUV and bus. Production of e-buses and electric motors began in 2022, and the Model T electric bus can already be seen in practical use on Taiwanese roads. Foxconn wanted to deliver more than 10,000 electric SUVs in 2024 and promised a second electric car for 2025. However, Foxconn has so far only been able to secure Taiwanese car manufacturers as partners.
Cooperation negotiations lasting months
The company, which is primarily known as a contract manufacturer for Apple, could finally also produce electric cars in larger quantities on a contract basis by cooperating with an established car manufacturer such as Mitsubishi. Negotiations with the Japanese company have been going on for more than six months, writes the Nikkei Asia news agency, citing unnamed sources.
At the same time, Japan's Kyodo News reported that Mitsubishi will not make an announcement about its collaboration with Foxconn until the next few weeks at the earliest. Which e-car models Foxconn is to build for Mitsubishi has not yet been determined. Mitsubishi will retain its production sites, but will work with Foxconn to optimize production capacities, it is said.
No official confirmation so far
Foxconn declined to comment on the matter, but Mitsubishi stated that the information did not come from the automaker. "We will continue to explore cooperation opportunities with various partners to achieve sustainable growth," Mitsubishi added. It was only in February that a group consisting of Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi failed. The three car manufacturers were unable to agree on a cooperation under one roof. However, it remains a strategic partnership, especially in the field of electric cars.
Read also
Smart #5 electric car presented: Top charger
Volkswagen: Numerous small electric cars in preparation
Renault 5 Turbo 3E e-car: return of the twin-hub drive turbocharged car
E-cars: Battery manufacturer Northvolt insolvent in Sweden, German plant remains
Electric cars at the Toyota Kenshiki Forum 2025: Toyota goes electric
With the production of electric cars, Foxconn wants to diversify its offering as a contract manufacturer, as the Taiwanese company is primarily known for the production of iPhones. Foxconn operates factories in China, India and other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam. Electric cars are still relatively new for Foxconn, but Group CEO Young Liu had targeted a market share of 5 percent of the global e-car market by 2025. However, Foxconn will not achieve this target, as Liu himself has already admitted. This is no longer achievable due to increased competition in a weakening market for electric cars.
(fds)