Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn is set to hold a seminar in Japan on April 9 to outline its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, as it seeks to expand its presence among Japanese automakers after securing a deal with Mitsubishi Motors, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Foxconn’s Push Into the Japanese EV Market

Foxconn, best known for manufacturing iPhones for Apple and AI servers for Nvidia, is actively working to boost automakers' and suppliers' understanding of its EV business, one source said.

  • Jun Seki, Foxconn’s Chief EV Strategy Officer and a former Nissan executive, is expected to speak at the seminar.
  • The company’s Contract Design and Manufacturing Service (CDMS) unit aims to build EVs for established car brands, marking a shift in Japan’s traditional auto industry.

Foxconn has declined to comment on the upcoming seminar or the Mitsubishi deal, which represents the first EV outsourcing agreement between a Japanese carmaker and Foxconn.

Mitsubishi Deal: A Game-Changer in Japan’s Auto Industry

Foxconn recently secured a contract to manufacture EVs for Mitsubishi, with vehicles expected to be sold in Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand.

  • The deal signals a major transformation in Japan’s century-old auto industry, which is facing increasing competition from Chinese EV giants like BYD.
  • Mitsubishi confirmed it is open to further collaborations but did not disclose details.

Analyst Caroline Chen from TrendForce called the deal a major milestone for Foxconn’s EV business:

“This tangible order signifies recognition of Foxconn’s manufacturing capabilities in the highly experience-driven automotive industry.”

Unlike previous collaborations, joint ventures, and acquisitions (e.g., with Geely and Lordstown Motors) that did not materialize, this deal provides a concrete breakthrough for Foxconn in EV manufacturing.

Foxconn’s EV Expansion: What’s Next?

Foxconn’s EV joint venture, Foxtron, partnered with Taiwan’s Yulon Group, primarily producing EVs under the Luxgen brand in Taiwan.

  • The Mitsubishi deal could help the company comply with local environmental regulations while expanding into new markets like New Zealand and Taiwan.
  • Foxconn’s growing role in EV production could pressure traditional Japanese automakers to rethink their outsourcing strategies.

Conclusion: Foxconn’s EV Ambitions Gain Traction

Foxconn’s April 9 seminar in Japan marks an aggressive push to court Japanese automakers, using the Mitsubishi deal as a showcase of its EV capabilities. With Japan’s auto industry at a crossroads, Foxconn's success could set a new precedent for EV manufacturing partnerships in the region.