Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Technology Group and a major supplier for Apple, has joined the electric vehicle race. The company unveiled three electric vehicles in a move that Bloomberg Markets and Finance called a milestone that could boost its credentials as a serious bidder for Apple’s secret automotive project. In the video below, Bloomberg shared a glimpse of what the new vehicles will look like. There’s also a press release, which you can view here.
The three types of electric vehicles concepts that were unveiled are:
- Model C (SUV)
- Model E (Sedan)
- Model T (electric bus)
The event was the company’s Tech Day which focused on four themes: Passion, Technology, Software, and Experience. Young Liu, Chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group introduced the three new electric vehicles and noted that they were autonomously developed. Shen Jong-chin, Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan delivered the keynote speech.
The event was also held on the founder’s birthday. Gou, the press release noted, always believed that the adoption of electric vehicles would inevitably become a global trend simply because it became the world’s largest and most expensive smart electronic device. Gou also believes that Taiwan, the county where Foxconn is headquartered, can play a key role in the development of electric vehicles. As he drove up on stage in the Model E, the press release noted that this was his birthday gift and this was why he wanted to drive it on stage.
The goal with these new concepts is for Foxconn to build new electric vehicles for other companies to sell. This puts Foxconn as a top contender for being a partner for Apple if it actually is planning its own line of EVs. If Apple wasn’t, then Foxconn’s news may change that.
Apple makes up for 50% of Foxconn’s annual sales and this number could increase if it decided to build an EV. Apple, the video noted, is thought to be years away from developing a vehicle but Foxconn is moving ahead with its plans. It already has its first customer, Taiwan’s Yulon Motors. Foxconn’s electric sedan is slated to retail for just under $38,000 and plans to deliver an electric bus next year.
The company is buying an auto plant in Ohio from Lordstown Motors for $280 million and could possibly build a plant in Europe. In a press release, Foxconn noted that Lilian Yen Chen, CEO of Yulon Motor Group, said that within less than a year since the establishment of the two companies’ joint venture, Foxtron, had successfully demonstrated Foxconn’s strength and speed of delivery along with Taiwan’s long history of research and development expertise.
Yulon Group’s Luxgen and CMC proprietary brands will both be the first partners adopting the Foxtron product platform and Chen believes that with determination and support from Foxconn, Foxtron will play a key role in helping transform the auto industry.
Details On The Models
Model C.
The Model C is 4.64 meters long, has a wheelbase of 2.86 meters, and seats five to seven people. It has a low 0.27 drag coefficient and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers in 3.8 seconds. Foxconn also said that its range is 700 kilometers. It’s the first model built on the open platform which the company says enables consumers to have a pure electric SUV with high performance, efficiency, intelligence yet low energy consumption while at a great price compared to an ICE vehicle.
Model E.
Foxconn is jointly developing the Model E with the Italian design firm, Pininfarina. The company noted that this vehicle will be its luxury flagship sedan with the target market of the upper-middle class to high-end consumers. The rear seating area can be turned into a mobile office and the vehicle will have several smart applications such as facial recognition door opening. The vehicle also comes with high performance with an equivalent to around 750 horsepower. It achieves 0 to 100-kilometer acceleration in 2.8 seconds. It also has a range of 750 kilometers.
Model T
Foxconn aims for the Model T to be an intelligent transportation solution yet a stylish urban bus. The company noted that its design and protection meet the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations and standards. It has also completed 200,000 kilometers of acceleration endurance testing with more than 1,000 hours of rigid strength tests at the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) Testing site.
The new electric bus can withstand extreme temperatures of up to 400 degrees (most likely Celcius) with a range of over 400 kilometers. If the bus was fully packed, the maximum climbing capacity can reach 25% and the maximum speed can reach 120 kilometers per hour.
Foxtron’s Vice Chairman, Chi-Sen Tso, ended the event while stating that during the past year, the company has made significant achievements in the development of electric vehicles. These included critical technology research and development, strategic partnership alliances, and the expansion of a global production network.
During the next five years with the companies vision, electric vehicles will become another Hon Hai trillion-dollar business, he said.