LORDSTOWN — Continuing the transformation of Foxconn capabilities in the Mahoning Valley, agricultural equipment will be built at its massive Lordstown facility starting next year, officials have announced.

Hon Hai Technology Group, also known as Foxconn, has signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Zimeno Inc., doing business as Monarch Tractor, to build next-generation agricultural equipment and battery packs at the Foxconn Ohio facility.

“Leveraging Foxconn’s manufacturing strengths, worldwide network of industry leaders and supply partners, and our new partnership with Monarch Tractor, Foxconn is positioned and eager to contribute to the ongoing and future success of Monarch Tractor, its products and its customers,” said Young Liu, chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group.

“This partnership reflects Foxconn’s growing center of gravity for autonomous electric vehicle production and the potential that can emerge from forward-thinking collaborations.”

Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill said it’s an exciting time in Lordstown and called Foxconn’s announcement great news.

He said Lordstown has the facilities, transportation capabilities, water resources and space to accommodate development and companies such as Foxconn.

“We have a lot going for us here,” Hill said.

Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber President and CEO Guy Coviello said Tuesday’s announcement is further evidence that Foxconn Ohio will accelerate the Valley’s economic development momentum.

“We identified electric, autonomous and connected mobility among the emerging technologies disrupting manufacturing, and we positioned ourselves to be a focal point in this space,” Coviello said. “The addition of Foxconn, one of the largest and most technologically advanced manufacturers in the world, to our Valley’s economy will help us once again emerge as a global leader.”

Coviello said the chamber will continue to provide the resources Foxconn needs to grow in the community.

NEXT YEAR

Full-rate production of Monarch Tractor’s MK-V Series is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023 at the plant, an approximately 6.2 million-square foot campus of scalable production space. This will follow production of Monarch’s Founder Series in the fourth quarter of 2022 at Monarch Tractor’s Livermore, California, manufacturing facility.

“Creating the industry’s most advanced tractor demands a manufacturing partner with the experience to quickly scale and execute with precision,” said Praveen Penmetsa, co-founder & CEO of Monarch Tractor.

“Foxconn is an EMS leader whose manufacturing and solutions are world-renowned. We are proud to partner with Foxconn and work together to transform the future of farming,” she said.

In May, Foxconn assumed manufacturing operations the plant after completing an asset purchase agreement with Lordstown Motors Corp. The agreement with Monarch Tractor is the first contract manufacturing engagement by Foxconn following the closing of the agreement. It embodies the Foxconn vision to expand its contract manufacturing in the EV market, officials said

OTHER PLANT ACTIVITY

Fisker Inc.’s second electric vehicle, the PEAR, which will be built in Lordstown, is in “full product development” and will contain “many unique, world’s-first features,” according to the company.

The southern California-based company’s second-quarter financial report released recently contains some new details surrounding the crossover, including vehicle reservations have surpassed 4,000 — up from about 3,200 the company reported in June.

The PEAR — Personal Electric Automotive Revolution — will be revealed fully to the public in the second half of 2023 with production at Foxconn’s assembly plant scheduled for 2024. It’s base price is expected to be less than $30,000.

Fisker and Foxconn intend to build at least 250,000 PEAR units per year once the plant ramps up to production.

Also, Lordstown Motors Corp. reached a significant deal with Foxconn that calls for Foxconn to become the contract manufacturer for the Endurance truck. Now, limited production of the Endurance is targeted for this year’s third quarter with some commercial deliveries expected by the end of the year.

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