Taiwan’s Foxconn is looking to deepen its presence in Japan’s electric vehicle (EV) market and hopes to establish partnerships with Japanese automakers in the near term, a senior executive said on Wednesday.
“Automakers are scattered all over the world,” said Jun Seki, Foxconn’s Chief Strategy Officer for EVs, at a seminar in Tokyo outlining the company’s EV strategy. “We will of course work with all of these customers, but there are several points where we feel we have a strong affinity with Japan,” Seki added.
See also: Foxconn to Outline EV Strategy in Japan Amid Mitsubishi Deal
The electronics manufacturing giant, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd (2317.TW), is set to launch an electric bus and a battery-powered microbus in Japan in 2027. The company is targeting business-to-business services for its EV operations, rather than direct consumer sales.
Foxconn’s interest in Japanese partnerships comes as automakers in the country face rising competition from Chinese EV brands expanding rapidly into markets such as Europe, Brazil and Southeast Asia.
See also: Foxconn Proposes Partnership with Honda Following Nissan-Honda Merger Collapse
Although the company is not currently in talks with Nissan (7201.T), Seki told the Nikkei newspaper that cooperation would be welcomed. “It would be a great idea” for Foxconn to be part of a broader alliance involving Honda (7267.T), Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors (7211.T), he said.
At the seminar, Seki confirmed that Foxconn is finalising a deal with Mitsubishi to supply electric vehicles, without disclosing further details. Sources previously told Reuters that Mitsubishi plans to outsource production of EVs for Oceania markets to Foxconn.
See also: Foxconn Chairman Clarifies Intent to Cooperate with Nissan, Not Acquire
In February, the Nikkei reported that Foxconn had proposed forming a four-way EV partnership with Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi following stalled merger discussions between Honda and Nissan. While Foxconn has said it would consider taking a stake in Nissan, Seki emphasized that its primary focus remains on collaboration.
