Mitsubishi in talks to source its new EVs for Australia, New Zealand from Foxconn unit
TechCrunchMAY 5
Foxconn Partners with Mitsubishi to Build EVs for Australia, New Zealand
Above: The Mitsubishi Motor Logo seen at the Redondo Mitsubishi auto dealership, selling Mitsubishi cars and SUVs on April 3, 2025 in Torrance, California. Image copyright: L Clendenin/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The regional partnership represents a strategic breakthrough in the automotive industry, where tech companies are successfully challenging traditional manufacturing expertise. Foxconn's established electronics manufacturing capabilities and standardized platform approach could revolutionize EV production, making it more efficient and cost-effective while helping traditional automakers accelerate their transition to electric vehicles.
Narrative B
This collaboration raises concerns about the erosion of traditional automotive manufacturing expertise and could potentially compromise vehicle quality and brand identity. Japanese automakers' decision to outsource EV production to electronics manufacturers might be a short-sighted response to Chinese competition, potentially weakening their long-term competitive position in the global automotive market.