Confirmed! Mitsubishi’s new EV is being made in Taiwan by iPhone-maker Foxconn and it’s in Australia in 2026
Taiwanese electronic giant Foxconn has announced that it will begin supplying an advanced new EV for the Australian and New Zealand market from next year that will be rebranded Mitsubishi.
Set to arrive in the second half of 2026, the new Mitsubishi EV is hotly tipped to be a rebadged version of the small Foxtron Model B that was unveiled earlier this year.
EV Central first reported this deal was imminent in April:
The Foxtron Model B was originally created as part of a joint venture between Foxconn and fellow Taiwan-based Yulon Motor company that currently builds Nissans under license.
The Model B has been developed to rival the likes of the BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3 and latest MG S5 EV.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, it’s thought that the Foxconn-Mitsubishi supplier deal could see the world’s largest maker of Apple’s iPhone produce further vehicles for the Japanese brand.
The benefit for Mitsubishi of rebadging an existing EV is it eliminates the huge upfront development costs, the three-five-year gestation period to develop it and all the risks associated with making a car from scratch.
As well as working with Foxconn, Mitsubishi says it will spin-off another EV with alliance partner Nissan that will be based on its stablemate’s next-generation Leaf SUV.
Set to be sold next year, the second all-new electric car will be built at a Nissan plant on the US.
In return, Nissan will produce its own version of the plug-in Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.
There’s no confirmation either vehicle comes to Australia as yet.
Mitsubishi has already pledged $US10bn ($15.5b) to make a new generation of electrified vehicles with the promise to roll-out nine electrified vehicles from now until 2030.
Currently in Japan Mitsubishi has just one passenger electric car in production the eK X kei-car that was developed with Nissan. After some consideration including a local drive tour, it has been ruled out for Australia.
Designed by Italy’s Pininfarina the Foxtron B, meanwhile, shares much with the Luxgen n5 that is already on-sale in in Taiwan.
Based on the Foxtron MIH platform, it’s believed that the Model B will measure in at around 4300mm long with a 2800mm wheelbase and will come with the same 170kW single e-motor as the n5 that combines with a 60kWh battery to provide a 450km range.
All-wheel drive dual-motor versions will also be offered, plus a variant with a larger powerpack for a longer range well above 500km.
Built in Taiwan by Yulon Motors the arrival of the EV Down Under has already been warmly greeted by Mitsubishi’s local outfit.
“This pure EV model is the latest step in our Momentum 2030 plan and offers another string to our multi-powertrain bow that will see us through to the next decade,” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia boss Shaun Westcott.
“It will join a refreshed Mitsubishi range that already offers petrol, diesel and PHEV options that fit Australian lifestyles, all with our innovative 10/10 warranty and capped price servicing plan.”
Despite the confirmation of the new Foxtron-made EV, the reclothed Nissan Leaf’s future remains unsure and could hinge on whether the new model has been developed for right-hand drive markets.
In Australia Mitsubishi has already confirmed it will finally replace the aging ASX with a rebadged Renault Captur that could be offered with both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid power.
Mitsubishi Europe has already confirmed that it will sell a version of the hybrid Renault Symbioz, the Grandis, and is considering offering its own version of the Renault Scenic E-Tech EV.
It’s not known if Mitsubishi Australia has plans to import either Grandis or rebranded Scenic but currently, until the new ASX or next-gen Pajero Sport lands, the Japanese car-maker only sells the Outlander and Triton locally.
