Foxconn to build driverless electric tractors at Monarch

Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, said on Tuesday it will build driverless electric tractors for the California-based Monarch Tractor at its Lordstown, Ohio facility starting in early 2023.

Heavy machinery manufacturers, including Deere Co. and Georgia-based AGCO, have set their sights on the electric vehicle market as the U.S. agriculture industry shifts to smart farming.

Young Liu, chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group, said in a statement that Foxconn is a centre of gravity for autonomous electric vehicle production and the potential that can emerge from forward-thinking collaborations.

Foxconn, best known for assembling Apple's iPhone, has entered the Ohio facility that was formerly a General Motors Assembly plant last year, and has entered the first manufacturing contract with Monarch Tractor.

Foxconn said that the production for Monarch's battery powered MK-V series tractor is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Monarch, based in Silicon Valley, entered a multi-year licensing agreement with Italian-American vehicle manufacturer CNH Industrial last year after debuted its first autonomous electric tractor.