Candidates for Thailand’s ‘national’ EV, Foxconn unveils 3 models, over 700 km range

On Monday, Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group (better known as Foxconn) introduced its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. Three models were presented, all built on Foxconn’s MIH open source vehicle architecture.

The models are built by Foxtron, a joint venture between Foxconn and Yulon Motor. The latter is also the local manufacturing partner for Nissan in Taiwan. Yulon also develops and sells its own models under the Luxgen brand.

At least one of these three Foxconn models will be produced in Thailand by 2023, where Foxconn is working with Thailand’s national oil company PTT to setup a contract manufacturing operation there.

Also read: iPhone manufacturer Foxconn confirmed to build EV plant in Thailand in 2022

Foxconn (Foxtron) will provide its open-source MIH platform and manufacturing expertise for interested parties looking for a fast-tracked entry into the electric vehicle business while PTT will contribute its knowledge of the Thailand market, distribution network, and customer reach.

Foxconn said the Thailand plant will initially cater only for the Thai market but exports to neighbouring countries within the ASEAN trade bloc are part of its mid-term plan.

Model C – 7-seater SUV with 700 km range, 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds

The Model C is a three-row, 5+2 seater SUV that measures 4.64 metres long, with a 2.86 metres long wheelbase. The dimensions are very big. The length is slightly longer than a C-segment Honda CR-V (4.623 metre) but the wheelbase rivals a D-segment Honda Accord (2.830 metres).

For reference, the CR-V’s wheelbase measures 2.660 metres. The fact that it’s electric and has less mechanical parts also helps in pushing the wheels further apart to create more space in the cabin.

It has a claimed drag co-efficient (a measure of aerodynamic efficiency) of 0.27.

No power figures or battery capacity is shared, but Foxconn says the Model C accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has a 700 km driving range.

Model E – Italian designed rival to Tesla Model S

The Model E is a flagship sedan. No dimensions are shared but the descriptions suggests that this is an E-segment class premium sedan.

It’s designed by Pininfarina and is aimed at the upper-end of the car market. The rear seat space can transform into a dedicated mobile office, with personal mobile devices seamlessly connected to the passenger car, enabling a series of smart applications such as face recognition door opening, smart windows and vehicle and environment interfaces.

It has a 750 km driving range and goes from 0 – 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, which Foxconn adds is comparable to an F1 car.

Model T – 400 km range EV bus

This Model T has nothing to do with Henry Ford and is an electric bus, because you can’t talk about green mobility without addressing public transport, which is still the most effective solution cut carbon emissions in cities.

The EV bus is designed to meet USA’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations and has a 400 km range battery.

Foxconn says the Model T has completed 200,000 km of acceleration endurance test and more than 1,000 hours of rigid strength tests at Taiwan’s Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) Testing.