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Reports claim the manufacturer of the Apple iPhone is preparing to license an electric car to Mitsubishi for sale in Australia as soon as early next year.
The first Mitsubishi electric vehicle to be launched in Australia in 15 years may be a rebadge of a car built by the Taiwanese producer of the iPhone, new reports claim.
It would represent a shock move from the Japanese car maker, which will soon see its showroom line-up drop to a handful of models ahead of inbound emissions rules for new cars in Australia.
Automotive News reports Taiwan's Foxconn – officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Company – is preparing to build its Foxtron Model B electric car under licence for a "Japanese automaker to introduce in the first half of 2026".
Japanese media reports have previously identified Mitsubishi as the brand.
In a presentation to media in Japan attended by Automotive News – where plans to license the Model B were confirmed – the Taiwanese firm reportedly acknowledged it is working with Mitsubishi, but did not directly associate the partnership with the Model B.
The Model B is a small, high-riding hatchback similar in size to a Kia EV3 or MG ZS EV, with a 500km claimed driving range from a 60kWh battery pack.
Questions remain over how different the Mitsubishi vehicle will be from its Foxconn-made donor, and how Mitsubishi Australia will market the vehicle, given it has not developed it, nor builds it.
"Regarding the related articles, we refrain from making any comments," a statement from Mitsubishi Motors head office in Japan, provided to Drive, reads.
"We will continue to explore collaboration opportunities with various partners to achieve sustainable growth."
Mitsubishi Motors Australia said it was unable to comment further.
The introduction of a small electric car will help Mitsubishi under the Federal Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which – unless the Opposition comes to power – will penalise car makers for selling too many high-emissions vehicles.
Mitsubishi has not sold an electric vehicle in Australia since the i-MiEV city car sold from 2010 to 2012, and its only hybrids to date are plug-in-hybrid versions of the popular Outlander and Eclipse Cross SUVs – the latter now discontinued.
It is one of a number of electric cars Foxconn – through its Foxtron brand – is looking to offer to other car manufacturers under licence.
The larger Model C – a Tesla Model Y competitor with rear- or all-wheel drive, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time as low as 3.8 seconds – is already on sale in Taiwan under licence as the Luxgen n7.
Foxconn is planning to export the Model C to the US in the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December) on a trial basis, according to Automotive News, followed by the Model D people mover in 2027.
It remains to be seen what brand the larger Foxtron/Foxconn vehicles will be sold under in the US and other export markets, and if the success of the Mitsubishi-branded Model B would open Australia up to them.
However, Foxconn is aiming to produce cars in the way it builds electronics, selling its services – whether they are complete products, or the ability to make others' products – to other businesses, rather than directly to consumers.
Automotive News reports the Taiwanese company is also planning the Model A city car for launch in Japan in 2027 – with other South-East Asian countries to follow – plus the Model E sedan, Model T large bus, and Model U 'minibus'.
All of the vehicles will initially be produced in Taiwan for global export, but the company can produce its cars closer to where they will be sold, as needed.
Foxconn has previously been linked with Nissan following the latter's financial struggles, and the Taiwanese firm has expressed its interest in such a partnership – helped by one of its executives.
Jun Seki, Foxconn chief strategy officer for electric vehicles, is also a 31-year veteran of Nissan, joining the company in 1986, and holding positions in North America, China, and head office in Japan.
He was appointed deputy chief operating officer of the company in Nissan – and one of just-sacked CEO Makoto Uchida's highest-ranking executives – but left within a month to join electric motor manufacturer Nidec, before moving to Foxconn in 2023.
“Japanese car makers are careful planners, and we understand that but are also very fast. We can do things faster while understanding Japanese prudence," Seki said, in remarks quoted by Automotive News.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
