Hon Hai Technology Group, best known as Foxconn, the maker of the Apple iPhone, has announced a manufacturing agreement with Monarch Tractor to produce next-generation electric tractors and battery packs. This will take place at Foxconn’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio in the US.
Young Liu, Chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), said: “Leveraging Foxconn’s manufacturing strengths, worldwide network of industry leaders and supply partners, and our new partnership with Monarch Tractor, Foxconn is positioned and eager to contribute to the ongoing and future success of Monarch Tractor, its products and its customers.
“This partnership reflects Foxconn’s growing centre of gravity for autonomous electric vehicle (EV) production and the potential that can emerge from forward-thinking collaborations.”
Full production of Monarch Tractor’s electric MK-V Series is scheduled to begin in early 2023 at the Foxconn Ohio facility, an approximately 6.2 million square foot campus of scalable production space. This will follow the production of Monarch’s Founder Series in the final quarter of 2022 at Monarch Tractor’s Livermore, California, manufacturing facility.
Praveen Penmetsa, Monarch Tractor CEO and co-founder, said: “Creating the industry’s most advanced tractor demands a manufacturing partner with the experience to quickly scale and execute with precision.
“Foxconn is an EMS leader whose manufacturing and solutions are world-renowned. We are proud to partner with Foxconn and work together to transform the future of farming.”
In May 2022, Foxconn assumed manufacturing operations at its Ohio facility after completing an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) with Lordstown Motors Corp. The agreement with Monarch Tractor is the first contract manufacturing engagement by Foxconn following the closing of the APA.
This embodies Foxconn’s vision to expand its contract manufacturing in the electric vehicle market. The agreement also continues the transformation of Foxconn capabilities in the Mahoning Valley.
Earlier this year electric car producer Fisker, who recently launched its Fisker Ocean electric sports utility vehicle (SUV), confirmed that it will produce its second vehicle, the Fisker PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), at Foxconn’s Lordstown plant too. It will be interesting to see how much production expands at this location and who Foxconn will collaborate with next.
