Cars instead of Apple iPhones? Foxconn presents MIH electric vehicle platform

So far, Hon Hai Group, better known as Foxconn, has primarily been known as the Taiwanese contract manufacturer for Apple iPhones. Now, the group has presented an e-car platform. The platform was unveiled at the "Tech Day" in Taipei. The skateboard platform is designed to be multifunctional and offers all important hardware and software components, which in turn can be combined modulary to build a variety of models. As an example, Foxconn mentions e-sedans and e-SUVs. According to CEO Liu Young-way, Foxconn aims to be represented with components or services in every tenth e-car worldwide by 2027 at the latest.

A number of components for electric vehicles are to be produced by Foxconn itself, including a solid-state battery that is expected to be ready for mass production by 2024. But they also aim to profit from the software by offering battery and vehicle internet services for third parties. Foxconn wants to bring MIH to the market not as the Apple but as the "Android system of the EV industry" and, together with industry partners, create a software-defined open ecosystem for the electric vehicle manufacturing industry.

However, traditional vehicle manufacturing is also set to continue: The MIH is to use a "unique die-casting material" that is both highly resistant and very malleable. The goal is to reduce the entry barriers for new companies into the electric vehicle industry with the MIH platform and key components for electric cars.

The ideas sound innovative and good, but Foxconn is rather late, which is why Liu Young-way wants to have the open platform ready for mass production as soon as possible:

"We need to act quickly to capture market share."

He does not mention details about sales targets, citing ongoing discussions with car manufacturers. As early as January, rumors emerged that Foxconn and FCA were planning a joint venture for the production of electric cars to develop internet-capable models for China. At the event, the Foxconn Research Institute also announced ten groundbreaking technology research and development programs that aim to bring new inspiration to Taiwan's technological industry and contribute to promoting local talent, with the goal of contributing to economic development in Taiwan. In line with Foxconn's "3+3" research and development strategy, the ten main programs include, among others, building a high computing machine platform, ultra-low energy consumption IoT chip design, hardware security mechanisms for automobile ECU chips, and quantum computers for the development of the silicon industry.

According to studies by the Boston Consulting Group, the global EV market will reach 36 million vehicles per year between 2025 and 2030. With the robust semiconductor and ICT development in Taiwan, Foxconn, together with other industry partners, is committed to making a significant contribution to the growing EV market in Taiwan and worldwide.

What does that mean?

Now the Apple Car might actually come, but in a completely different way than expected – from Foxconn, where – and this is the bitter part for the established automotive industry – they have not only thought about software, chips, and solid-state battery, but also about the production of hardware. Therefore, VW's step to offer MEB to anyone interested was absolutely correct, because that's exactly what Foxconn is now planning with MIH!