Mitsubishi’s new electric car will come from the makers of the iPhone, and will launch first in Australia

Australia will be the first global market where Mitsubishi’s new electric vehicle (EV) will launch in the second half of 2026, with the brand tapping the Foxtron division of Taiwan’s Foxconn build a model it hopes to stave off fierce competition from Chinese marques.

While the all-electric Foxtron-sourced model is yet to be confirmed, it is expected to be a rebadged version of the Model B small SUV wearing Mitsubishi nomenclature, which will compete against the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS, Kia EV3, and others.

Globally, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies have entered a memorandum of understand (MOU) for the latter to supply the former with EVs, which is confirmed for Australian showrooms next year.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shaun Westcott said the new electric car will fuel its ‘Momentum 2030’ ambitions – to have eight new and refreshed models in showrooms by the end of the decade – and Australia will be the first market where the Foxtron model will be made available.

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“Mitsubishi Motors Australia welcomes confirmation of this exciting partnership between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Foxtron and we are looking forward to working closely to deliver a great product for Australian customers,” Westcott said in a media statement.

“This pure EV model is the latest step in our Momentum 2030 plan and offers another string to our multi-powertrain bow that will see us through to the next decade. 

“It will join a refreshed Mitsubishi range that already offers petrol, diesel and PHEV options that fit Australian lifestyles, all with our innovative 10/10 warranty and capped-price servicing plan.

“It is also further evidence of our core market relationship with MMC, with Australia the first Mitsubishi market to receive this vehicle from launch, and signifies our ongoing strength.

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“We have been here for 45 years, and with new and exciting products such as this, we are well placed for the next 45 and beyond.”

Foxtron Vehicle Technologies is a joint venture between Foxconn and Yulon Motor, the former responsible for producing electronics such as the Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo devices, and the latter – one of the biggest car brands in Taiwan – tasked with building the new Mitsubishi model in its home market.

The new Mitsubishi electric car, likely a rebadged Model B with a new name, claims to feature “excellent driving performance as an EV and an advanced infotainment system making it optimal for the Oceania region”, according to the MOU.

The Model B is one of Foxtron’s newest models (shown in production form in 2023), boasts styling work by Pininfarina, and is currently available in single-motor rear-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive forms.

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Measuring 4320mm long, 1865mm wide, 1530mm tall, and with a 2800mm wheelbase, the Model B sizes up against the aforementioned all-electric small SUV rivals as well as the Hyundai Kona EV, Chery Omoda E5, Smart #1, and Zeekr X.

With a 60kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the expected driving range under the NEDC standard is around 500km, while the mechanically related, larger Model C mid-size SUV outputs 170kW and 340kW in rear-drive and all-wheel-drive forms respectively – giving an indication on expected performance of the Model B.

While Mitsubishi has tapped Foxtron for its next EV in Australia, it has also confirmed a rebadged second-generation Nissan Leaf for the US that could also arrive Down Under.

“The company is also exploring further collaboration opportunities, including potential expansion into Australia and other markets,” Mitsubishi said as part of the announcement.

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However, if the Model B is confirmed for Australia from Foxtron, it would occupy the same small SUV market segment as a rebadged Nissan Leaf, putting a cloud over the latter.

“At this stage we are still working through the opportunity and will have more information as plans are confirmed,” a Mitsubishi Australia spokesperson said.

The Mitsubishi-Foxtron MOU also stated the Japanese brand is exploring further options from Renault and Nissan, but in what shape and form is currently unclear.

“Mitsubishi Motors is considering expanding collaboration with its Alliance partners globally, including in the Oceania region, to strengthen the electrified vehicle line-up and accelerate efforts towards carbon neutrality,” said the release.

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With the small SUV slot now likely filled, it could mean Mitsubishi Australia passes on rebranding the third-generation Nissan Leaf in favour of a mid-size model like the Ariya or Renault Scenic E-Tech.

Mitsubishi’s ‘Momentum 2030’ plan was announced mid last year before it was forced to cull more than half its product line-up in early 2025 due to an Australian Design Rule (ADR) change that now mandates all new vehicles sold in Australia require the standard fitment of autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

As such, the ASX, Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport are no longer in production for Australia.

However, the ASX will be succeeded by a Renault-sourced model due to arrive later this year, while the second-generation Pajero Sport is also likely to break cover soon for a 2026 on-sale date.

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With the facelifted Outlander also due to arrive in 2025, and the new Foxconn model confirmed for next year, Mitsubishi Australia has filled four of the eight new and refreshed vehicle slots outlined in its roadmap to the end of the decade.

A refreshed version of the diesel-powered Triton ute is also expected by 2030, while a plug-in hybrid version has also long been rumoured to be in the pipeline.

Of note, the Foxtron-sourced EV will be Mitsubishi Australia’s first all-electric competitor since 2012 when the quirky i-MiEV – Australia’s first mass-market EV that arrived in 2010 before the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf – was discontinued.

Globally, Mitsubishi offers the ek X kei car in Japan, which was understood to be under study for Australia but now ruled out for the local market.

The Foxtron EV will also aid Mitsubishi Australia in meeting the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will elicit penalties for surpassing tailpipe CO2 emission on new-car sales, or credits for each EV delivered.

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