Mitsubishi’s iPhone-Powered Electric SUV : In an unprecedented alliance of automotive futuristic technology, Mitsubishi has announced it will bring to Australia an extraordinary new electric SUV borne of an unconventional and unique partnership with Foxconn, the Taiwanese technology behemoth well-known for being the maker of Apple’s iPhone.
An Important Milestone in Mitsubishi’s ElectrificationThis partnership is the beginning of what will create an important new direction in the automotive world.
The Foxconn- Mitsubishi Partnership Decision: A Game Changer Alliance
In a move branded by industry insiders as “unique”, Mitsubishi has revealed it has signed a deal with technology company Foxconn to build a 100 per cent zero emissions SUV specifically for Australia.
Japanese Brand Foxconn’s Foxtron Model B, likely to be a compact crossover, previously announced to be built in Australia and sold here in the first half of 2026, to be made for a Japanese brand according to new reports and the man behind it all, ex-Nissan man and now-Foxconn man Jun Seki.
When asked about any specifics with regards to the relationship, Mitsubishi had an elaborately measured response but the simple fact of the matter is, that Mitsubishi is indeed the Japanese-brand in the mix.
The partnership is a shift in strategy for Mitsubishi, which was an early enthusiast in electric vehicles with its i-MiEV, but been concentrating on plug-in hybrid technology over more recent years rather than fully electric models.
Tech Vs Automotive Prowess
What makes this car particularly interesting is the technological know how that Foxconn posses. Best known as the production partner for Apple Inc’s iPhone, Foxconn has put strategic focus on electric vehicle (EV) production, developing what it calls a “toolbox” want a one stop-shop for a range of differently priced EVs with varying capabilities and for swift delivery to clients.
The Foxtron Model B, the one headed for Australia, will naturally leverage Foxconn’s depth in high-tech electronics, manufacturing precision and supply chain orchestration – skills that have made the contractor invaluable to Apple in its technological large-audience appeal.
Industry analysts say this could lead to new levels of vehicular and smartphone integration, with iPhone users potentially enjoying seamless connections that offer control and features far beyond what most automakers currently offer.
Ideal Timing for an Australian Growth EV Market
It’s also worth mentioning the timing of this news is quite significant for Mitsubishi Australia, when you also consider the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) took effect on July 1.
Following the withdrawal of several models, such as the Eclipse Cross, ASX and Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi does not have a large amount of vehicles it can sell in order to avoid penalties from the new efficiency regulations.
Welcoming the new car to our shores is nothing short of a massive step forward in product terms and a business essential for the otherwise somewhat reticent Mitsubishi, given rapidly changing car market preferences and a local landscape dotted with hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
“It’s quite possible that the Foxconn tie-up could give them a reputation boost in the EV space at a time where potentially that gives them an important new market to play in, modest – but with the ability to grow it,” Professor Reade said.
“Certainly if you look at practice there is a growth element to these partnerships, it’s not just servicing the market that we know of.”
With rivals such as BYD pushing hard for an increased share of the Australian electric vehicle market, the tie-up could help the Japanese auto-maker get a crucial toe-hold in the EV game.
What will Model B have to offer?
Details on the Australian-bound Model B are scant, but there’s information on Foxconn’s larger Model C, which won’t make its US launch until late in 2025 and already sells in Taiwan under the Luxgen N7.
The Model B is described as a small crossover SUV, which is believed to be a possible replacement for the ageing ASX in Mitsubishi’s range.
If it shares a technological path with its larger brother, we should see some impressive specs. Forthose keeping score at home, the Model C comes in three battery configurations: 58, 71 & 83 kWh, translating to ranges of 500, 600 & 700 km respectively (NEDC).
According to a recent report from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Ku, the Model B may sport even greater tech integration, especially with Apple hardware, such as improved Apple CarPlay support, better iPhone-linking for vehicle telemetry and control, and even rumored company to be planning some exclusive perks for iPhone users as part of Apple’s ecosystem.
Beyond Australia: A Global Approach
This collaboration isn’t limited to country borders and we have early signs that Foxconn wants to expand its contract manufacturing to the automotive space around the world.
The company has said it has plans to make six different battery-powered vehicles, ranging from SUVs of different sizes to a cargo van and even buses.
For Mitsubishi, this partnership is one potential avenue for reviving its worldwide electric vehicle strategy, all without the astronomical R&D investment that comes with developing a new EV platform from the ground up.
There was speculation that there might be more to the relationship in terms of other movements across the wider Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance — particularly in light of reports that Nissan is also in talks with Foxconn also for some future technology partnerships.
A New Era for Mitsubishi Australia
For Australian buyers, it will mark the storming into the electric vehicle market of a new Mitsubishi EV, this time produced by Foxconn.
At the time when the Australian government is actively promoting more efficient vehicles with the NVES, this new model could enable Mitsubishi to be seen as an environmentally responsible brand that is one step ahead in the thinking of environmental-aware buyers.
It’s also an intriguing meeting of automotive and consumer technology worlds, one that could set the pace for how cars and these outside devices communicate.
If it works, the partnership between Mitsubishi and Foxconn could pave the way for other such relationships across the industry.
While there’s no additional word on pricing, specs or specific launch timing at this time, it’s a further reminder that Australia’s automotive scene is rapidly changing.
Advertisement We are not only seeing the launch of another electric vehicle with the Mitsubishi-Foxconn car, but perhaps a potential new chapter in how cars are designed, built and intertwined with our digital existences.
For Mitsubishi, a brand with a strong legacy in Australia, it means both a reassertion of its early prominence in electric vehicles, and a daring leap into an automotive industry whose future path is fast becoming less about traditional car makers and more about also serving as a technology company.
It is understood the fully electric Mitsubishi-branded Foxconn SUV is due to be in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2026 for consumers, marking the start of what should be a new era for the brand – and for electric vehicles in general – in Australia.