Foxconn, Mitsubishi Fuso partner to build electric buses

Hon Hai Technology Group, the Taiwanese company better known as Foxconn, and Japan’s Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), are to establish an independent bus manufacturing OEM in Japan.

Mitsubishi Electric Mobility will be split evenly between the partners. Company focus will be on development and production of zero-emissions electric buses for Japan and other international markets.

The agreement follows announcement of a memorandum of understanding covering the deal in 2025.

(Photo: Foxconn)

The collaboration will leverage the extended experience of MFTBC in the design and development of commercial vehicles with electric drives and related components supplied by Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.

By integrating local development, procurement and production in Japan, the partners will aim to ensure compliance with the country’s quality and regulatory standards.

As part of Foxconn, Foxtron has experience in producing both passenger vehicles and buses through its partnership with Taiwanese OEM Yulon Motor.

Elsewhere, Foxconn was also a partner in the ill-fated Lordstown Motors project in the United States. A lawsuit claiming that Foxconn failed to hand over a $170 million investment fund to the passenger EV company followed Lordstown’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023. According to reports, that lawsuit has yet to be settled.

Following multiple class action lawsuits related to emissions non-compliance of its diesel engines, Mitsubishi Fuso (now part of Daimler Truck) has switched its long-term focus on development of zero-emissions electric vehicles.