Taiwan’s Foxconn is accelerating its entry into the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market. However, the vehicles are not expected to be sold under the Foxconn name. The company announced that its EV model, the Model C, will be launched in the U.S. through a third-party brand.
Seki Jun, Executive Vice President of Foxconn’s EV business unit and a former Nissan executive, stated at the recent 360° Mobility Mega Show held in Taiwan that the company has secured a U.S. client who plans to begin selling the Model C later in 2025. He declined to disclose the client’s name, citing contractual confidentiality.
Model C Set to Launch in the U.S.—Production at Lordstown Plant in Ohio
Foxconn is not merely exporting vehicles but has established a local production base. The Model C will be manufactured at the former General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio. This facility once produced models such as the Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt, and Impala. After being taken over by Lordstown Motors, it was acquired by Foxconn in 2022.
The Model C is already on sale in Taiwan under the name Luxgen n7. For the North American market, Foxconn chose local production over direct imports from Taiwan, likely due to tariffs and geopolitical risk considerations.
The Model C features distinctive design elements, including a curved side character line, a panoramic sunroof, and a large infotainment screen. It targets the mid-size electric SUV segment. The Lordstown plant, which has an annual production capacity of up to 500,000 units, is also expected to manufacture electric tractors (for agricultural use).
Foxconn Expands EV Ecosystem—Strengthening Global Partnerships with Mitsubishi and Others
Foxconn is focusing on contract manufacturing rather than selling cars under its own brand. Similar to how it assembles Apple iPhones, Foxconn builds EVs, while sales and branding are handled by its partners.
In Australia, reports indicate that Foxconn’s Model B will be released under the Mitsubishi brand. A similar model is expected to be applied in the U.S. as well. Foxconn is currently exploring potential collaborations with Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi, and is also interested in jointly developing next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
As the center of automotive manufacturing shifts from mechanical engineering to software and electronics, IT and electronics companies are entering the automotive market in full force.
Foxconn already possesses a vertically integrated supply chain capable of producing key EV components in-house, including batteries, semiconductors, infotainment systems, and electronic modules. While traditional OEMs require several years to develop such systems, Foxconn is positioned to deliver them much more rapidly. This could offer a real solution to the industry-wide challenges of production delays and rising costs.
Additionally, the ongoing legal effect of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the U.S., coupled with the Trump administration’s push for domestic manufacturing and tariff-related risks, makes Foxconn’s U.S.-based manufacturing strategy especially relevant. The company’s use of the Lordstown facility and its contract manufacturing model offer a compelling alternative in this climate.
Traditional OEMs are also increasingly looking to adopt foundry-style production models akin to those used in the semiconductor industry. The automotive sector may be on the verge of fully embracing a TSMC-style approach—and Foxconn could very well be the company leading the way.
