Foxconn and Mitsubishi Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding that provides for the development of an electric car model for the Japanese company by Foxconn and its production in Thailand. The model is due to be launched on the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of 2026.
Although it is still only a Memorandum of Understanding, the intention is clear: the development is to be carried out by the Taiwanese contract manufacturer’s electric car division, which is called Foxtron. Production in Thailand will then be carried out by Foxconn’s partner Yulon.
Although the market launch is scheduled to take place in just over a year, no details of the vehicle have yet been given – after all, only a letter of intent has been signed so far and not a binding order. Therefore, neither the size nor the body shapes are known yet, let alone details about the battery or the drive layout. The only thing that is certain is that the Mitsubishi model will be based on the “EV solution from Foxtron,” presumably the company’s own MIH electric car platform.
The announcement of the memorandum of understanding does not come as a surprise, as there were already media reports from Japan at the end of March that Mitsubishi wanted to win Foxconn as a partner for its EV business. At that time, however, there was mainly talk of contract electric car production at Foxconn; in fact, it is also about the complete development of the vehicle. However, it will continue to be sold as a Mitsubishi and will also be distributed by the Japanese company.
The background to this is probably the slow break-up of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, as the two partners, Renault and Nissan, are slowly moving away from each other. As the smallest manufacturer in the alliance, Mitsubishi is dependent on models and platforms from partners when investing in new technologies and models outside of its own core portfolio – in Europe, for example, Mitsubishi sells the plug-in hybrid version of the Renault Captur with its own logo. Renault is also planning to build an electric SUV for Mitsubishi in Europe.
Additionally, Mitsubishi Motors North America has also announced that it will launch an electric model in the USA and Canada in summer 2026, based on the new Nissan Leaf. “More details about the vehicle, including naming, imagery, technical specifications, pricing and on-sale timing will be the subject of future announcements,” it added. This is because Nissan has not yet presented the new Leaf as a series model, even though it is already becoming apparent that the third-generation Leaf will mutate from a compact car to a crossover.
One juicy detail is that Foxconn has publicly announced its interest in a partnership with Mitsubishi partner Nissan. Specifically, Foxconn is looking into buying the Nissan shares that Renault wants to sell.
reuters.com, foxconn.com (Mitsubishi), mitsubishicars.com (plans for the USA)
