Foxconn will manufacture self-driving electrical tractors for startup Monarch Tractor on the identical Ohio manufacturing unit the place it plans to assemble EVs for startups Fisker and Lordstown.
California-based Monarch introduced completion of a contract-manufacturing settlement with Foxconn final week. Manufacturing of the Monarch Mk-V tractor is scheduled to start on the Ohio manufacturing unit within the first quarter of 2023, following an preliminary, smaller manufacturing run at Monarch’s personal facility Livermore, California, towards the top of 2022.
Monarch Mk-V electrical tractor
Monarch’s press launch saying the settlement stated it is working with Foxconn on “next-generation agricultural tools and battery packs,” doubtlessly leaving room for different manufacturing partnerships past the tractor.
Monarch accomplished a $61 million Sequence B funding spherical in 2021. On the time, it stated it might launch 15 pilot packages for its tractor.
The 6.2-million square-foot manufacturing unit that may construct the Monarch tractor—together with not less than two different EVs—is positioned in Lordstown, Ohio, and was constructed by Basic Motors. It final manufactured the Chevrolet Cruze compact automobile earlier than GM successfully deserted it in 2018 amid a sequence of cutbacks.
Monarch Mk-V electrical tractor
A few of the folks concerned with electrical truck startup Workhorse fashioned a brand new entity referred to as Lordstown Motors, acquired the manufacturing unit, deliberate and use it to fabricate the Endurance electrical pickup truck. That’s lastly scheduled to begin later this yr, however with Foxconn working the manufacturing unit and manufacturing the Endurance for Lordstown below contract.
GM later in 2019 introduced a battery plant for the world, and the non-union facility has develop into one of many core Ultium Cells LLC crops supplying its large-format pouch cells.
Foxconn is because of begin making the $29,900 Fisker Pear on the identical manufacturing unit in 2024. The Pear will likely be Fisker’s second manufacturing mannequin, after the Ocean SUV, which is scheduled to begin manufacturing at Magna’s Austrian facility later this yr.