Foxconn Unveils Three New EVs – Has the Giant Awoken?
By Edward A. Sanchez — Oct. 18, 2022
Those in the electronics industry have undoubtedly heard of Foxconn, but you ask most people on the street, and chances are you’ll be greeted with a blank stare. Well, the iPhone manufacturer has signaled it’s getting into the car business in no uncertain terms. This week, the contract manufacturing giant showed off three EV concepts, one of which it claims will be available in its home market of Taiwan next year.
The Model B and Model C crossovers and Model V truck are built on Foxtron’s MIH (Mobility in Harmony) platform, the company’s so-called modular “toolkit” for EV contract manufacturing. This signals that Foxconn’s ambitions for the technology and platform extend far beyond Taiwan. And these are no low-powered compliance cars – the Model C crossover has a claimed 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds, and a claimed range of 700 km (435 miles). The Model C will debut in Taiwan in the latter half of 2023.
This announcement alone is interesting, but taken in context of the company’s other recent announcements, and de facto takeover of Lordstown, the implications of this announcement could be much more significant than what it may seem at first glance.
After months – and even years – of speculation dating back to when rumors of the “imminent” Apple Car were coming hot and heavy in 2016, Foxconn issued an official release in November 2021 signaling its collaboration with Ohio-based Lordstown Motors, itself a startup/spinoff from GM’s shuttered Lordstown, Ohio, factory. It went a step further in May 2022 when the company closed an asset purchase agreement effectively giving Foxconn control of the Lordstown factory.
While we’re unsure when Foxconn vehicles will arrive in the U.S., the Foxtron Model C (above) and Model V (main image) seem to have the makings for a successful run in America.
The company even created a new brand for its EVs: Foxtron (although for the time being, it appears this branding will only be used in Taiwan and markets outside the U.S.). It seems Foxconn’s main interest is that of a contract manufacturer, as evidenced by its collaboration with Fisker Motors for the production of the brand’s mainstream PEAR EV, following the Ocean premium SUV, which is manufactured in Steyr, Austria, by Magna. This strategy stands in stark contrast to VinFast, the well-funded Vietnamese OEM that is intent on making a name for itself, and has already announced its intent to build a factory and vehicles in North Carolina.
Certainly, making cars is a more difficult undertaking than making consumer mobile electronic devices, with much more onerous regulation, safety, and compliance requirements. But it’s nothing that can’t be overcome. Considering the company’s historic alliance with Apple, it’s looking more likely than not that Foxconn will get that business if and when the mythical “Apple Car” ever comes to market. Foxconn already has the commitment from Fisker for the PEAR, and seems eager to court others looking for a quick entry into the EV market.
Few details are available on the Foxconn vehicle lineup, but SUV concepts like the Model B illustrate that Foxconn is not skimping on design.
Where, and wearing which badge, will we see these future models? It’s anyone’s guess. But Foxconn is not a company to be underestimated. There’s a good chance we could see a variation of one of these models on American roads by 2025, possibly built in Ohio. Stay tuned.
(Images courtesy Foxconn)
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