Taiwan-based manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. electric vehicle start-up Indiev Inc. to produce the first INDI One prototype vehicles in Hon Hai’s plant in Ohio.
Hon Hai, known as Foxconn globally, has invested aggressively in developing EVs to diversify its product portfolio, and it said the MOU was the first step toward delivering vehicles to customers of Indiev, which unveiled the vehicle publicly in October 2021.
Hon Hai said details of the potential collaboration beyond the building of the prototype will be disclosed at a later date after follow-up negotiations.
“Our MOU with Indiev marks the beginning of many more discussions to come regarding the future of EV manufacturing in Ohio,” Hon Hai Chief Product Officer Jerry Hsiao (蕭才祐) said in a statement.
“Throughout this process, Foxconn is confident in its Ohio workforce to manufacture quality prototypes that will help Indiev achieve future success,” Hsiao said.
Indiev founder and CEO Shi Hai (石海) said in the statement that the INDI One is a unique vehicle, which demands high-quality automotive craftsmanship and consumer electronics manufacturing and engineering.
“Partnering with Foxconn, the world’s leader in consumer electronics, during this exciting time in their entry into electric vehicles means that INDI One drivers will lead the way into the future of personal transit,” Shi said.
In May, Hon Hai completed the acquisition of an EV factory located in Ohio from American pick-up brand Lordstown. The Ohio factory and an information communication technology complex in Wisconsin will become Hon Hai’s two production hubs in North America, the company said.
According to Hon Hai, the electric pickup truck production line in the Ohio facility has started mass production, and a tractor vehicle production line based on an agreement with U.S.-based Monarch is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023.
Hon Hai signed an agreement with Monarch Tractor to roll out next-generation electric agricultural equipment and battery packs for the American brand.
iPhone assembler Hon Hai has in recent years promoted a “3 plus 3” initiative to expand from its contract manufacturing business into hardware and software integration. The development of EVs is central to the initiative, as it is building an EV supply chain.
The “3 plus 3” initiative refers to three emerging industries — EVs, robots and digital healthcare — that are being developed through the applications of artificial intelligence, semiconductors and communications technologies.
The manufacturer has scheduled the annual Hon Hai Tech Day for Oct. 18 to introduce prototype electric SUB Model B and electric pick-up Model V after three prototypes in 2021’s Tech Day event.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel