Foxconn’s New Electric Prototypes Might Revolutionize EV Industry
Foxconn has elaborate diversification plans and aims to offer B2B (business-to-business) services in the near future.
It will be a while before we get to see the Apple Electric Car Project hit the streets. However, the tech giant’s contract manufacturer- Foxconn– recently unveiled three new battery electric vehicles. These prototypes are the result of Foxconn’s elaborate diversification plan. The electric vehicles made their debut at the Foxconn technology day, which was held in Taipei. The Taiwanese company joined forces with Yulon motors to form Foxtron vehicle technologies which built the three prototypes.
The all-electric prototypes include Foxconn’s Model E electric sedan. The company also showcased an electric-only SUV prototype called Model C and Model T, which is an electric bus. All three prototypes are ready for mass production. EV manufacturers can also approach Foxconn and customize products to match individual specifications.
According to Foxconn, Model C might hit the market by 2023 and will retail for $35,000 (approx). Foxconn claims that Model C can accelerate to the 62 MPH mark from a complete standstill in just 3.8 seconds, thanks to a slippery 0.27 drag coefficient. Moreover, Model E only takes 2.8 seconds for the same sprint. As per company estimates, Foxconn’s all-electric SUV will deliver a maximum range of 435 miles, whereas the electric sedan will offer 466 miles of range.
Thanks to a recent $280 million deal, Foxconn can now use the Ohio plant to produce EVs.
Foxconn’s recent deal with electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors Corp. allows the Taiwanese electronics company to acquire Lordstown’s production facility in Ohio. Foxconn is already in the process of acquiring manufacturing facilities in Taiwan. Furthermore, the company is also partnering with Stellantis and American EV start-up Fisker Inc. Foxconn will be responsible for building Fisker’s second offering.
The electric vehicles were designed by MIH Consortium and MIH EV open platform underpins all three prototypes. This is an open software and hardware platform, which supports autonomous driving, and includes an electronic architecture and EV chassis.
The renowned electronics brand also has plans to offer B2B (business-to-business) services. The company hopes that EV start-ups will consider reducing research and development time by opting for its pre-developed kits. In October last year, Foxconn revealed that it intends to offer services and components to almost 10% of the world’s EVs between 2025 and 2027.
Image Source: Foxconn