Mitsubishi Has Found A Giant To Help Build Its Next-Gen Cars

Mitsubishi Motors has just announced a second EV project, the same day it announced a Nissan Leaf-based model for the US. This second electric car, though, won’t be developed by its Alliance partner. Instead, this one will be developed and built by a relatively new entrant into the automotive space.

Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Foxconn (the company best known for making iPhones), will design the EV, which will be built in Taiwan. It will first go on sale in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026.

Mitsubishi And Foxconn Need To Finalize The Agreement

That’s the plan, at least. Mitsubishi said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Foxtron. It will proceed with further discussions toward bringing the deal to market.

Under the MOU, while Foxtron will develop the EV, the assembly will be handled by Yulon Motor Co. Though that’s not much of a corporate stretch, as Foxtron is part of a joint venture between Foxconn and Yulon. The two joined up in 2020, showing off their first electric vehicle platform later that year.

Mitsubishi said that the model would “feature excellent driving performance as an EV and an advanced infotainment system.” That suggests it is based on something we’ve already seen from Foxtron. Possibly the Model B, a compact crossover with an estimated 310 miles (NEDC) range. Foxtron has also shown an electric pickup.

Foxtron was formed with an ambitious target. The company’s parents wanted it to supply parts and services to 10 percent of EVs globally by 2027. So far, it has shown off several concept models, one of which, the Foxtron Model C, has gone into production. It is badged and sold for the Taiwanese car company Luxgen, and called the n7.

Other Electrified Models Coming To Brand’s Lineup

Mitsubishi said that it plans to electrify its other models in the near future. The plans include an upgraded Outlander PHEV as well as a new PHEV model not named. Mitsubishi will also add hybrid variants to its Xpander and Xforce crossovers that are sold in the ASEAN region.

On top of this collaboration with Foxconn, Mitsubishi will rely on Alliance partners Renault and Nissan. It said it will add models based on Renault Group vehicles for Europe, as well as the Nissan-based vehicle announced earlier today. The automaker has said it is considering expanding that collaboration to include more regions and vehicles.

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Foxconn is reportedly going to build EVs for two different Japanese automakers.

In March, a report from Taiwan said that Foxconn was expecting to enter partnerships with two different Japanese automakers. The first would appear to be this MOU with Mitsubishi. The report indicated that both models would be electric SUVs, giving us a hint as to what to expect from Mitsubishi.

The other automaker is expected to be Nissan. Possibly to build a new entry-level electric for that brand which has been struggling to find a partner in the last year. Foxconn is said to have approached Nissan in the past, though that stalled as Nissan tried to make a deal with Honda. With that deal stalled, and the CEO who pushed for it gone, it could be back on the table.