Las Vegas – The MIH Consortium, an initiative led by Hon Hai Technology Group (also known as Foxconn), has announced plans to establish an Innovation Hub near its Ohio facility. The Hub will bring together global supply chain partners to collaborate on electric vehicle (EV) and mobility projects, as well as new technologies for automakers. The goal of this effort is to accelerate EV innovation and revitalize American manufacturing. By using Foxconn’s resources and infrastructure in the United States, the MIH Consortium is creating an ecosystem for the entire EV development process.
At CES 2023, the MIH Consortium showcased a range of EV applications with automakers such as Lordstown Motors, INDI EV, and Monarch Tractor. These demonstrations included commercial fleets, consumer vehicles with entertainment and gaming features, and agricultural innovation, showcasing the versatility of the MIH ecosystem and its potential to serve a wide range of markets and industries.
“The MIH Consortium is not only a pioneer in the open EV platform but also an expert in the automotive supply chain,” said Jack Cheng, CEO of MIH Consortium. “There are many emerging EV brands in the US market that need the support of diverse supply chain partners. The MIH can bring together top partners from around the world, allowing original equipment manufacturers to communicate directly and break the hierarchical model of the traditional automotive industry. This will help accelerate the development and mass production of new EVs.”
The Midwest region plays a significant role in the global automotive industry. As the world shifts towards EVs and new mobility services, the region’s abundance of talented workers and automotive supply chain will bring new opportunities for the US auto industry and economic development. Foxconn currently has two factories in the United States: one in Wisconsin that primarily focuses on ICT products and has potential as a development hub for the EV industry, and one in Ohio that primarily focuses on manufacturing Lordstown Motors commercial pickups and other vehicles. “These two factories are located along an automotive corridor that spans several states in the Midwest, which will help drive the development of the entire supply chain,” said Cheng. “By leveraging the resources of Foxconn, the MIH Consortium will be able to greatly deepen and broaden its partnerships in the North American ecosystem.”
The MIH Consortium also sees significant potential in the B2B/B2B2C market, working with fleet operators and mobility service companies to explore new user experiences in areas such as delivery and logistics. The first step in this effort, announced at MIH Demo Day in November 2022, will be to create a three-seater vehicle called Project X, followed by the launch of six- and nine-seater models for the North American market.
At CES 2023, the MIH Consortium partnered with several key companies to showcase its latest solutions. These partners included TomTom, a leading mapping and navigation company; VicOne, a company specializing in vehicle cybersecurity; Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a provider of smart manufacturing and industrial internet solutions; GIS, which focuses on touch technology; and TIER IV, a leader in autonomous driving. Together, these companies are actively pursuing the significant business opportunities in the North American EV market.
