Taiwanese smartphone giant Foxconn reveals electric ute, global sales planned

October 20, 2022November 28, 2022 EV Central team 4281 Views Foxconn, Foxtron, Hon Hai, Model V

Yet another electric ute has been unveiled, this time by Taiwanese industrial giant Hon Hai.

Better known as Foxconn, manufacturer of the iPhone on behalf of Apple, Hon Hai showed off its Foxtron Model V dual-cab ute at its annual tech day this week.

Not much detail was revealed, but Hon Hai did say the dual-cab ute had a 420km range, 800mm wading depth, one-tonne payload and 3000kg towing capacity.

It also described it as having the ability to traverse “all terrains”, which suggests it has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Considering Foxconn is an electronics leader, it’s no surprise the Model V comes with electronic rear-view mirrors, a digital instrument panel and a gear selector dial that rises from the centre console when activated.

Foxconn Foxtron Model B hatch — Foxconn’s Foxtron Model B

It was joined on-stage by a compact crossover called the Foxtron Model B that had been teased earlier in the month.

The 4.3m long hatch has 2.8m wheelbase, a 0.26 drag coefficient and 450km range between recharges.

A production version of a 2021 concept the Model C crossover was also revealed. It boasts a 3.8 sec 0-100km/h time and 700km electric range.

Taiwan’s Yulon Motors Co will start volume production of the Model C next year under the Luxgen n7 name.

But Hon Hai says there are already plans in place for all three models to be built in Taiwan, Thailand and the USA.

The Model V will face some tough competition for the electric ute dollar, with the North American majors already weighing in and Chinese brands following suit.

All up Hon Hai has now shown off five EVs, including the Model E luxury sedan and Model T bus seen in 2021.

The Foxconn Foxtron Model C crossover is to become the Luxgen n7.

But none of them will be built by Hon Hai itself. Instead they will emerge via partnerships and contract manufacturing arrangements.

All Hon Hai EVs are based on its own open source MIH platform, making co-operations that much more doable.

Hon Hai has already put its money where its mouth is when it comes to EV production.

It has purchased the former General Motors factory in Ohio and will build the Lordstown Endurance ute there, as well as the Fisker PEAR and the Indi One from California start-up IndiEV.

It is also working with partners to build assembly plants in Thailand, India and Indonesia.

Hon Hai has set itself the goal of supplying five per cent of the globe’s EV needs by 2025. In the longer term it is aiming for an unprecedented 43 per cent, similar to its share of the global PC and smartphone markets.