Foxconn’s Urgent Push for Nissan EV Partnership Sparks Buzz

Taiwanese Giant Eyes Japanese Automakers in Bold EV Strategy

Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics titan famous for assembling Apple iPhones and Nvidia AI servers, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with a bold move toward Japanese automakers. The company’s Chief Strategy Officer for EVs, Jun Seki, recently told Nikkei Asia that Foxconn is eager to collaborate with Nissan Motor on electric vehicle production, highlighting the potential for a powerful Japan-Taiwan alliance in the fast-growing EV market. While no active talks are happening yet, Seki’s comments signal Foxconn’s aggressive ambition to secure a foothold in Japan’s automotive sector, a move that could reshape the global electric vehicle manufacturing landscape. This push comes as Foxconn prepares to unveil its EV strategy at a high-stakes seminar in Tokyo, targeting Japanese companies hungry for innovative partnerships in the green energy revolution.

Seki, a former senior Nissan executive, emphasized that compatibility with Japanese automakers, particularly Nissan, could be a game-changer for Foxconn’s electric vehicle business expansion. With its vast manufacturing expertise and a growing portfolio of EV-related ventures, Foxconn sees Nissan as a strategic fit. However, the company is not stopping there. Reports indicate Foxconn is finalizing a deal with Mitsubishi Motors to produce EVs for Oceania markets, showcasing its ability to juggle multiple partnerships. Seki also floated the idea of Foxconn joining a broader collaboration involving Honda Motor, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors, a tantalizing prospect that could create a four-way powerhouse in the Japanese EV ecosystem. This multi-pronged approach underscores Foxconn’s determination to become a dominant player in electric vehicle contract manufacturing.

Foxconn’s Strategic Vision for Electric Vehicle Collaboration

Foxconn’s interest in Nissan is not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it’s a calculated step in a long-term strategy to dominate the electric vehicle supply chain. The company, officially Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., has been diversifying beyond consumer electronics for years, with EVs as a key focus. Chairman Liu Young-way set an ambitious goal in 2020 to supply components or services for 10% of the world’s EVs by 2025-2027, a target that would translate to supporting roughly 3 million vehicles annually based on current market projections. To achieve this, Foxconn has poured nearly $1.3 billion into auto-related acquisitions over the past decade, partnering with firms like Stellantis NV for semiconductors and ZF Friedrichshafen AG for chassis systems. Now, Japanese automakers are squarely in its sights, with Nissan’s established EV expertise making it an attractive potential partner.

The lack of current engagement with Nissan, as Seki noted, does not diminish Foxconn’s enthusiasm. The upcoming Tokyo seminar, scheduled just after this report surfaced, is poised to be a critical moment for Foxconn to pitch its electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities to Japanese firms. Sources suggest this event could lay the groundwork for future talks with Nissan, especially since the automaker has shown openness to new partners following the collapse of merger discussions with Honda in February 2025. Foxconn’s prior overtures to Nissan, including a rejected bid in December 2024 and a public expression of interest in taking a stake in February 2025, reveal a persistent effort to forge ties. Yet, Liu has clarified that Foxconn’s primary aim is cooperation under its Contract Design and Manufacturing Service (CDMS) model, not ownership or branding, distinguishing it from traditional automakers entering the EV space.

Beyond Nissan, Foxconn’s deal with Mitsubishi Motors marks a significant milestone. Mitsubishi, Nissan’s junior partner, plans to outsource EV production for Oceania, tapping Foxconn’s manufacturing prowess to meet regional demand. This partnership could serve as a proof-of-concept for other Japanese automakers, including Nissan, demonstrating Foxconn’s ability to deliver high-quality EVs at scale. Meanwhile, the prospect of a four-way alliance with Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi adds another layer of intrigue. Earlier this year, Foxconn proposed partnering with Honda as a stepping stone to this broader framework, a vision that gained traction after the Honda-Nissan merger talks fell apart. If realized, this collaboration could pool resources, technology, and market access, positioning Foxconn as a linchpin in Japan’s EV future.

Why Nissan Matters in Foxconn’s EV Ambitions

Nissan’s appeal to Foxconn lies in its established reputation in the electric vehicle market, bolstered by models like the Nissan Leaf, one of the world’s best-selling EVs. Pairing Nissan’s automotive expertise with Foxconn’s manufacturing scale could accelerate production timelines and reduce costs, a win-win in an industry where speed and efficiency are paramount. Seki’s insider knowledge of Nissan, gained during his tenure as a senior executive, gives Foxconn a unique edge in tailoring its pitch. He told Nikkei that compatibility with Nissan would strengthen Foxconn’s position, hinting at potential synergies in design, supply chain management, and technology integration.

However, Foxconn’s broader EV strategy extends far beyond one partnership. The company has already showcased its capabilities with the Foxtron Model C, an electric SUV displayed in Taipei in 2024, signaling its readiness to produce vehicles for multiple brands. Joint ventures for solid-state batteries and road-sensing systems further enhance its technological toolkit, making it a versatile collaborator. For Nissan, which has faced challenges in maintaining its EV market share amid rising competition from Tesla and Chinese manufacturers, a partnership with Foxconn could provide a much-needed boost in production capacity and innovation. Yet, the absence of current talks suggests Nissan may be weighing its options, especially after its recent strategic shifts.

Market Implications and Competitive Landscape

Foxconn’s push into the Japanese EV market comes at a pivotal time. The global electric vehicle industry is booming, with sales projected to exceed 20 million units annually by 2030, driven by stricter emissions regulations and consumer demand for sustainable transport. Japanese automakers, while leaders in hybrid technology, have lagged behind in pure EV adoption compared to rivals in the US and China. Foxconn’s entry could bridge this gap, offering manufacturing muscle and technological know-how to help firms like Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi compete on a global stage. The $3.95 stock surge in Foxconn’s Shanghai listing (SS:601138) and Mitsubishi Motors’ 5.53% gain (OTC:MMTOF) reflect investor optimism about these developments.

For Nissan, the stakes are high. Its stock (OTC:NSANY) edged up 0.46%, while Honda (NYSE:HMC) dipped 0.47%, indicating mixed market reactions to Foxconn’s overtures. Meanwhile, Foxconn’s existing clients like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), down 4.98% and 1.37% respectively, remain tangential to this EV narrative but underscore the company’s diverse revenue streams. A successful partnership with Nissan could ripple through the industry, potentially attracting other automakers to Foxconn’s CDMS model. The Tokyo seminar will be a litmus test, revealing whether Japanese firms see Foxconn as a partner or a disruptor in their tightly knit ecosystem.

Key Players and Partnerships in Focus

To illustrate Foxconn’s strategic positioning, here’s a detailed breakdown of the key players involved in its EV ambitions:

Company	Role	Details
Foxconn	Electronics manufacturer, EV production	Eager to work with Nissan and other Japanese carmakers
Nissan Motor	Japanese automaker	Highlighted for compatibility in potential collaboration
Jun Seki	Foxconn’s Chief Strategy Officer for EVs	Emphasized compatibility with Japanese automakers, especially Nissan
Mitsubishi Motors	Japanese automaker, Nissan’s junior partner	Finalizing deal with Foxconn for EV production, outsourcing for Oceania
Honda Motor	Japanese automaker	Potential part of broader partnership framework with Nissan and Mitsubishi

Foxconn’s pursuit of Nissan, combined with its Mitsubishi deal and broader partnership aspirations, paints a picture of a company unafraid to take big swings in the electric vehicle arena. Whether Nissan bites remains uncertain, but Foxconn’s relentless drive and strategic foresight ensure it will remain a force to watch in the evolving EV landscape. The Tokyo seminar could be the spark that ignites this collaboration, or it might simply reinforce Foxconn’s growing influence among Japanese automakers seeking to electrify their futures. Either way, the stakes for electric vehicle manufacturing innovation have never been higher.

Key Citations

• Taiwan's Foxconn hopes to work with Nissan, others on EV production
• Foxconn plans EV event in Japan to woo manufacturers, sources say
• Mitsubishi Motors plans to outsource EV production to Taiwan's Foxconn, Kyodo says
• Foxconn says it is open to buying a stake in Nissan
• News Foxconn Clarifies No Plans for Own Car Brand, Seeks Nissan Partnership Under CDMS Model
• Nissan open to new partners, sources say, including Foxconn
• Foxconn Sets Its Sights on Ever More Crowded EV Market
• Foxconn Gearing Up To Build Four New EVs, Including Two From Japanese Brands
• Apple assembler Foxconn aims to supply to about 3 million EVs by 2027