A significant development in the Australian automotive landscape is potentially on the horizon, with reports suggesting that Mitsubishi Motors is poised to re-enter the electric vehicle market after a 15-year hiatus. Intriguingly, this re-entry may not involve a vehicle directly engineered and manufactured by Mitsubishi itself. Instead, industry speculation indicates that the Japanese automaker's upcoming electric offering could be a rebranded version of an existing electric car developed by Foxconn, the prominent Taiwanese technology conglomerate best known as a primary manufacturer for Apple's iPhone. This potential move represents a rather unexpected strategic shift for Mitsubishi, particularly as the company prepares for a future where its Australian showroom lineup is expected to shrink considerably in anticipation of the implementation of stricter emissions regulations for new vehicles entering the Australian market.
According to a report by Automotive News, Foxconn, officially operating under the name Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, is reportedly gearing up to produce its Foxtron Model B electric vehicle under a licensing agreement for an unnamed "Japanese automaker," with the intention of this vehicle being introduced in the Australian market during the first half of 2026. Adding weight to this speculation, Japanese media outlets have previously identified Mitsubishi as the likely recipient of this licensed vehicle. Further corroboration emerged from a media presentation held in Japan, attended by representatives from Automotive News, where Foxconn confirmed its plans to license the Model B. During this event, the Taiwanese firm reportedly acknowledged an ongoing collaboration with Mitsubishi, although it stopped short of explicitly linking this partnership to the Model B electric car.
The Foxtron Model B is characterized as a compact, high-riding hatchback, positioning it in a similar size category to vehicles such as the Kia EV3 and the MG ZS EV. It boasts a claimed driving range of approximately 500 kilometers on a single charge, powered by a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack. However, several crucial questions remain unanswered regarding this potential collaboration. It is currently unclear to what extent the Mitsubishi-badged vehicle will differ aesthetically and technically from its Foxconn-produced counterpart. Furthermore, the marketing strategy that Mitsubishi Australia will employ for a vehicle that it has neither developed nor manufactured also remains a subject of speculation. In response to inquiries regarding these reports, Mitsubishi Motors' head office in Japan provided a concise statement to Drive, stating, "Regarding the related articles, we refrain from making any comments." Similarly, Mitsubishi Motors Australia indicated that they were unable to provide any further information on the matter.
The introduction of a small electric vehicle would strategically position Mitsubishi to better comply with the Australian Federal Government's impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). This legislation, which is set to penalize car manufacturers for selling a high proportion of vehicles with elevated emissions levels (unless a change in government policy occurs), necessitates that automakers offer more low-emission and zero-emission vehicles in their lineups. Mitsubishi has been absent from the fully electric vehicle segment in Australia since the discontinuation of the i-MiEV city car, which was sold between 2010 and 2012. To date, the company's only foray into electrified vehicles in the Australian market has been through plug-in hybrid versions of its popular Outlander and the now-discontinued Eclipse Cross SUVs.
This potential partnership with Mitsubishi is part of a broader strategy by Foxconn, through its automotive brand Foxtron, to offer its electric vehicle platforms and models to other car manufacturers under licensing agreements. The company's larger Model C, a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y featuring options for rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and an impressive 0-100 km/h acceleration time as low as 3.8 seconds, is already being sold in Taiwan under license as the Luxgen n7. Looking ahead, Foxconn has outlined plans to commence trial exports of the Model C to the United States in the fourth quarter of 2025 (between October and December), with the Model D, a people mover, slated for a 2027 introduction.
The branding under which these larger Foxtron/Foxconn vehicles will be marketed in the US and other international export markets remains to be determined. It is also uncertain whether a successful launch of the Mitsubishi-branded Model B in Australia could pave the way for the introduction of other Foxconn-developed vehicles under different brands in the Australian market. Foxconn's overarching ambition in the automotive sector appears to be to replicate its successful business model in electronics manufacturing, positioning itself as a provider of manufacturing services – offering both complete vehicles and the capacity to produce vehicles designed by other companies – primarily to other businesses rather than directly engaging with individual consumers. Automotive News further reports that Foxconn has ambitious plans for a range of future electric vehicles, including the Model A city car, scheduled for launch in Japan in 2027 followed by other South-East Asian markets, as well as the Model E sedan, the Model T large bus, and the Model U 'minibus'. Initially, all of these vehicles will be manufactured in Taiwan for global export, but Foxconn retains the flexibility to establish production facilities closer to their intended markets as demand dictates.
Interestingly, Foxconn has previously been linked to a potential partnership with Nissan, particularly during the latter's period of financial challenges. The Taiwanese firm has publicly expressed its interest in such a collaboration, a sentiment potentially bolstered by the presence of Jun Seki, Foxconn's chief strategy officer for electric vehicles. Seki is a seasoned automotive industry veteran with 31 years of experience at Nissan, having joined the company in 1986 and held various significant roles in North America, China, and Nissan's headquarters in Japan. He ascended to the position of deputy chief operating officer at Nissan, becoming one of the highest-ranking executives under the then-CEO Makoto Uchida, before his departure within a month to join the electric motor manufacturer Nidec, ultimately transitioning to Foxconn in 2023. This background adds an intriguing layer to Foxconn's strategic maneuvers within the automotive industry and its potential collaborations with established automakers.