A TRIO OF self-developed electric vehicles - including futuristic 'mirrorless look' city bus - has teased the global electro-mobility market after tech leader Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group) livestreamed the breaking news from its Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD21) 2021 event, recently.
In a move to demonstrate its R&D and manufacturing capabilities – and no doubt garner mass interest from investors looking to enter into the EV space – Young Liu, chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group, a global leader in smart manufacturing – introduced three autonomously developed electric vehicles: the Model C recreational vehicle, the Model E sedan and, most interestingly for the global city bus market, the Model T electric bus. According to the company, the announcement underlines Foxconn’s, “…commitment to become a global next-generation automotive manufacturer.”
‘STYLISH BUS’
Positioned as an intelligent transportation solution, the Model T is, “…a stylish urban bus,” according to the company. Its high rigid body design and protection meets the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations and standards, Foxconn confirms. Additionally, the Model T has completed 200,000km of acceleration endurance test and more than 1,000 hours of rigid strength tests at the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers alike, the company explains.
In terms of energy consumption and endurance, the Model T’s battery can “…withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees”, across a range of more than 400 kilometres, the company claims. Under full load conditions, the maximum climbing capacity can reach 25 per cent, and the maximum speed can reach 120km/h, providing drivers with a relaxed and smooth driving experience, whilst allowing passengers a comfortable and safe journey, it adds.
CAR CREATIONS
The Model C is the first built on Hon Hai’s electric vehicle open platform and is positioned as the intrinsically optimised electric SUV with pure electric nature, Foxconn says. The Model C’s four core features are: shape, space, power and energy consumption. Its design does not only have a minimalist appearance, but it has also significantly minimised the spaces used for mechanical components, while maximizing seating space, it explains. The Model C – which is 4.64 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.86 meters – is said to offer comfortable seating for 5+2 people and plenty of storage space, making it “…easy to navigate crowded metro areas while still enjoying the luxury of a larger car.”
The Model C, with a low 0.27 drag coefficient, accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and delivers an extended range of 700km, it’s claimed. Thanks to the open platform sharing advantages, consumers can, “…have a pure electric SUV with high performance, high efficiency, high intelligence, low energy consumption and large space at a reasonable price comparable to a fuel-powered car.”
F1 PACE
Car enthusiasts were a bazillion times more enamoured, no doubt, with the Model E, jointly developed by Hon Hai and Italian design firm Pininfarina. As a technologically innovative luxury flagship sedan it can meet the needs of middle and high-end consumers, Foxconn believes. At the same time, it is also the high-quality first choice for businesses, it adds.
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.
In addition to luxury and comfort, the Model E – with its high-performance and advanced dynamic control technology – delivers a power output of about 750 horsepower and achieves 0-100km/h acceleration in a staggering 2.8 seconds, it’s claimed – “…better than comparable models in the market and almost at the pace of a Formula One racing car,” Foxconn is quick to highlight.
The Model E also has a 750km range to address the ‘range anxiety’ of most electric car users, it states.
THE CONCEPT
Upholding the company’s vision of “3+3=?”, which is said to symbolise the, “…infinite possibilities created by the group’s industrial advancement and emerging technologies,” the event’s ‘Tech Day’ focused on four core themes: passion, technology, software and experience.
Lilian Chen, CEO of Yulon Motor Group, appeared alongside a Model C electric vehicle together with Shen Jong-chin, vice-premier of the Executive Yuan, who was present to deliver the keynote speech.
Hon Hai founder Terry Gou made a surprise appearance by driving out in a Model E electric car. Gou – celebrating his birthday at the event – has always believed that the adoption of electric vehicles would inevitably be a global trend by the simple fact that it has become the world’s largest and most expensive smart electronic device, Foxconn explains. He believes that with the strong capabilities in electronic manufacturing, including semiconductors, modules, precision machinery and operation, Taiwan can play a key role in the development of electric vehicles.
Gou expressed that the Model E electric car was, ‘the best birthday present for him’, which is why he insisted on driving it.
TRILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS
Chi-Sen Tso, vice chairman of Foxtron – the joint venture between Hon Hai and Yulon Motor – expressed that in the past year, Hon Hai had made significant achievements in electric vehicle development that included strategic partnership alliances, critical technology research and development, as well as the expansion of a global production network.
In the coming five years, in line with its strategic vision, the establishment of the global network together with the accumulated knowledge, electric vehicles will become another Hon Hai trillion (TWD) dollar business.
Hon Hai will soon be able to share the progression of its 3+3 vision and provide more details around new initiatives such as the launch of a software smart gateway, smart cockpit and smart driving, transforming itself into a software-driven enterprise for the future, it explains.
ABOUT FOXCONN
Established in Taiwan in 1974, Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, it states. Foxconn is also the leading technological solution provider and it continuously leverages its expertise in software and hardware to integrate its unique manufacturing systems with emerging technologies, it adds.
By capitalising on its expertise in cloud computing, mobile devices, IoT, big data, AI, smart networks, and robotics / automation, the group has expanded not only its capabilities into the development of electric vehicles, digital health and robotics, but also three key technologies: AI, semiconductors and new-generation communications technology. These are key to driving its long-term growth strategy and the four core product pillars: “consumer products, enterprise products, computing products and components and others,” it explains.
Photography: courtesy Foxconn