In a rapidly evolving automotive industry, partnerships and collaborations are becoming increasingly vital for survival—especially in the face of competition from emerging electric vehicle (EV) giants like China’s BYD. Recent reports indicated that Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, was in discussions with Nissan, fueling speculation about a possible acquisition. However, Foxconn’s Chairman, Young Liu, has now clarified the company’s stance: it is seeking cooperation, not ownership.
Foxconn, best known as Apple’s main iPhone supplier, has been steadily expanding into the automotive sector. The company aims to be a key player in the EV revolution, not as a traditional automaker but as a provider of design and manufacturing services. Speaking at Foxconn’s corporate headquarters in New Taipei, Liu emphasized that acquiring Nissan was not the goal.
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“Purchasing its shares is not our aim; our aim is cooperation,” Liu stated. However, he acknowledged that Foxconn might consider taking a stake in Nissan if necessary to facilitate collaboration.
The timing of these discussions is particularly significant. Nissan is navigating turbulent waters after stepping back from merger talks with Honda, which could have formed the world’s fourth-largest automaker. As Nissan explores new strategic partnerships, Foxconn’s expertise in contract manufacturing could provide valuable support, particularly in the transition to EVs.
Liu also confirmed that Foxconn is in discussions with Renault, given the French automaker’s significant stake in Nissan. Renault currently holds 36% of Nissan, including an 18.7% stake placed in a French trust. While Renault and Nissan have yet to comment on Liu’s remarks, any potential collaboration between Foxconn and Renault could further reshape the automotive landscape.
While Foxconn remains a dominant force in electronics, the company is making aggressive moves into the automotive sector. It has already formed partnerships with companies like Stellantis and Fisker to develop EVs under its MIH Open Platform, a framework designed to provide automakers with modular EV solutions.
However, Liu reiterated that Foxconn does not intend to become a car brand itself. Instead, the company sees its role as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, providing commissioned design and manufacturing services to traditional automakers looking to electrify their lineups.
With Nissan’s stock taking a hit—dropping about 6% following these reports—investors are closely watching how the company moves forward. The automaker has been working to regain stability after financial struggles and leadership shake-ups in recent years. With Honda talks now on ice, finding new allies is critical for Nissan’s future, especially in the competitive EV market.
Foxconn’s involvement could provide Nissan with much-needed technological and production expertise, particularly in battery and EV platform development. As traditional automakers race to keep up with the rapid advancements from Chinese manufacturers, collaborations like this could help legacy brands remain competitive.
While Foxconn has ruled out an outright acquisition, its willingness to collaborate with Nissan—and potentially Renault—signals a broader shift in the automotive industry. The future of car manufacturing may increasingly rely on tech-driven partnerships, with companies like Foxconn playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of electric vehicles.
As Nissan prepares to release its quarterly financial results, all eyes will be on how the company positions itself for the road ahead. Whether Foxconn becomes a key part of that journey remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the lines between technology and traditional automotive manufacturing are becoming increasingly blurred.
