Foxconn Halts U.S. EV Project Over Tariffs, Shifts Focus to Poland and Japan

Foxconn originally planned to deliver its Model C midsize electric crossover to an undisclosed U.S. automotive customer by the end of 2023, but the project has been put on hold due to U.S. tariff policies. Steven Hsu, a sales executive at Foxtron—a joint venture between Foxconn and automotive partners—stated on July 16, 2024, at an expo in Tokyo that the suspension is linked to the current political and trade environment, and whether the project resumes will depend on future policy developments. Previously, in August 2023, Foxconn sold its整车 assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio—the former General Motors facility that had been a key asset for its U.S. electric vehicle (EV) production strategy—signaling an impending shift in its American EV plans. Faced with uncertainty in the U.S. market, Foxconn is accelerating its pivot to other regions. In Europe, it announced in May 2024 a partnership with Poland’s state-owned ElectroMobility Poland to jointly build an EV production and R&D center. Specific models and market positioning are still under planning, with mass production expected to begin in two to three years. In Asia, Foxconn unveiled the “Fox Taxi,” a taxi-oriented version of its Model A electric MPV, in Tokyo, targeting Japan’s taxi market as a direct competitor to the Toyota JPN Taxi. The vehicle features increased luggage space, a flat floor, a tighter turning radius, and a B-pillar-free design to enhance passenger entry and exit convenience, though it has not yet entered mass production. In Taiwan, Foxconn is advancing EV sales through its own Foxtron brand and the Luxgen brand, developed in collaboration with Yulon Group. The Model B, launched under the name Foxtron Bria in December 2023, had sold 1,822 units by May 2024. The Model C, marketed as the Luxgen N7, went on sale in 2024 and recorded 8,217 units sold that year, following 2,997 units sold in 2023. Additionally, Foxconn has confirmed it will supply a version of the Model B to Mitsubishi for the Australian and New Zealand markets, with a launch expected in the second half of 2024. Earlier media reports suggested discussions with Nissan about using Nissan’s Oppama plant in Japan for EV production, but neither party has confirmed this. Foxconn has identified EVs as a new growth driver beyond its core electronics contract manufacturing business and is significantly increasing investments in batteries and energy storage. However, its global EV strategy remains highly sensitive to shifts in international trade policies.