Mobile Drive, with investments from both Foxconn and Stellantis, will accelerate go-to-market timelines for the most advanced in-car and connected-car technologies in the industry
Mobile Drive brings together expertise in consumer innovations from the sustainable mobility and advanced electronics industries
Joint venture will competitively bid for global vehicle program contracts with Stellantis and other auto industry companies
Amsterdam, Taipei, May 18, 2021 – Stellantis NV (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) (“Stellantis”) and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., (“Foxconn”) (TPE: 2317), together with its subsidiary FIH Mobile Ltd., (“FIH”) (HKG: 2038), today announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding to form Mobile Drive, a 50/50 voting rights joint venture aimed at accelerating development timelines to bring innovative in-vehicle user experiences enabled by advanced consumer electronics, HMI interfaces and services that will exceed customer expectations.
Mobile Drive will combine Stellantis’ global vehicle design and engineering expertise with Foxconn’s global development in the rapidly changing software and hardware realms of smartphones and consumer electronics. The combination will position Mobile Drive at the forefront of global efforts to deliver a new frontier of in-cabin information and entertainment capabilities, seamlessly connected inside and outside the vehicles in which they are installed.
“Today, there’s something that matters just as much as beautiful design or innovative technology, it’s how the features inside our vehicles improve the lives of our customers,” said Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer at Stellantis. “Software is a strategic move for our industry and Stellantis intends to lead with Mobile Drive, a company that will enable the swift development of connectivity features and services that mark the next great evolution of our industry, just as electrification technology has.”
“The vehicles of the future will be increasingly software driven and software defined. Customers today and, in the future, demand and expect ever increasing software driven and creative solutions to connect the drivers and passengers with the vehicle inside and out. Mobile Drive will meet and exceed these expectations with teams of designers and software and hardware engineers,” said Chairman Young Liu at Foxconn. “This is a natural extension of Foxconn’s global leadership in the development and application of smart technologies to improve the quality of life of consumers around the world.”
All development by Mobile Drive will be co-owned by Stellantis and Foxconn. The Netherlands-based joint venture will operate as an automotive supplier, competitively bidding to supply software solutions and related hardware for Stellantis and other interested automakers.
“Leveraging Foxconn’s extensive knowledge of user experience and software development in mobile ecosystems, Mobile Drive will offer the disruptive smart cockpit solution that will seamlessly integrate the automobile into the driver’s mobile-centric lifestyle,” Calvin Chih, Chief Executive Officer at FIH.
“With this partnership, we will push the boundaries in connected car technology and bring immersive experiences yet to be imagined,” said Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer at Stellantis. “Mobile Drive ultimately gives us the agility we need to provide the digital experience of the future at the speed our customers demand.”
Mobile Drive will focus on infotainment, telematics and cloud service platform development with software innovations expected to include artificial intelligence-based applications, 5G communication, upgraded over-the-air services, e-commerce opportunities and smart cockpit integrations.
Foxconn and Stellantis previously partnered in the development of the Airflow Vision design concept, displayed at CES®, the world’s most influential technology event. The concept demonstrated the thinking of both companies in a next-generation of premium transportation and user experience.
About Foxconn
Established in Taiwan in 1974, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., (“Foxconn”) (TPE: 2317) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer. 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. To learn more, visit www.honhai.com.
About FIH
A subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry and a leader in the worldwide mobile device industry, FIH offers vertically integrated, end-to-end design, development, and manufacturing services spanning handsets, mobile and wireless communication devices and consumer electronics products. Moving into the internet era, FIH leveraged its core strengths in hardware and software to enter the 5G, AI, IoT and IoV (Internet of Vehicle) fields, building a full internet and mobile ecosystem.
About Stellantis
Stellantis is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision: to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group’s rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the marques with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates.
For more information, contact:
Simon KAO: +886 917 266330 – simonmhkao@fih-foxconn.com
Jimmy HUANG: +866.2.2268.3466 – media@foxconn.com
Bertrand BLAISE: +33 6 33 72 61 86 – bertrand.blaise@stellantis.com
Pierre OLIVIER SALMON: +33 6 76 86 45 48 – pierreolivier.salmon@stellantis.com
Valérie GILLOT: +33 6 83 92 92 96 – valerie.gillot@stellantis.com
Shawn MORGAN: +1 248 760 2621 – shawn.morgan@stellantis.com
Jack WANG: +86 -186 2105 6209 – chao.wang1@stellantis.com
Andrea PALLARD: +39 335 873 7298 – andrea.pallard@stellantis.com
Salima RAHLAOUI: +00 212 669 844 145 – salima.rahmaoui@stellantis.com
Fabricio BIONDO: +5511992992833 – fabricio.biondo@stellantis.com
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