iPhone Manufacturer Makes EV, Will Be Sold As a Japanese Brand

KatadataOTO – The Taiwanese company famous for making Apple's iPhone mobile phones, Foxconn has entered the automotive world and is making electric cars.

The latest rumor is that the electric car made by Foxconn will be sold under an unnamed Japanese automotive brand.

Reported by Automotive News, one of Foxconn's car models, the Foxtron Model B, which is a crossover hatchback, will be sold in Australia as a Japanese car.

This was stated by Jun Seki, a Foxconn executive and former Nissan employee. Based on information from local Japanese media, the brand in question is Mitsubishi.

Photo : CarBuzz

It should be noted that Foxconn already has several electric car variants such as the Model B and Model C.

It is possible that one of these model variants will be introduced first in Australia as a Mitsubishi electric car.

Jun Seki also revealed that his company, Foxconn, is interested in partnering with Mitsubishi and Nissan to develop EVs (Electric Vehicles) in the future.

However, a Mitsubishi representative declined to comment further on the rumor. But they did not deny that the opportunity for cooperation remains open.

“We will continue to look for potential collaboration opportunities with various parties to achieve renewable growth,” said a Mitsubishi spokesperson, quoted from CarExpert, Monday (14/04).

Australia is strongly suspected to be the place where Foxconn's electric car will debut as a Mitsubishi, due to the strict NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) emission regulations that will take effect on July 1, 2025.

The presence of electric cars can help strengthen Mitsubishi's position there.

The Model B, which is predicted to debut as a Mitsubishi electric car in Australia, has a similar size to the MG ZS EV. Its range is quite capable, 500 km (NEDC) on a single charge, supported by a 60 kWh battery.

Photo : CarBuzz

Meanwhile, speaking of Mitsubishi's lineup in Indonesia, PT MMKSI (Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia) does not currently offer a pure EV except for the L100 for fleet customers.

Even the hybrid version of the Xpander has not yet been introduced in the country. So it seems consumers will have to wait a long time if they are interested in using a Mitsubishi electric car.

Meanwhile, Foxconn was confirmed to be developing an electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia. However, as of 2024, the plan is said to have not yet been realized.