Foxconn facility in Lordstown rolls out first few all-electric tractors
Production has started at Foxconn facility in Lordstown on an electric vehicle designed to benefit farmers and local agriculture.
According to Foxconn, “the first fully electric, driver-optional, smart tractors in Ohio” are rolling off the production line for delivery to customers.
They’re called the Monarch Tractor’s MK-V Series, created by Praveen Penmetsa, Co-Founder & CEO, Monarch Tractor.
Penmetsa said these tractors also “combine electrification, automation, and data analysis to help farmers reduce their carbon footprint, improve field safety, streamline farming operations, and increase their bottom lines.”
According to Foxconn, they’ve been working on the fully electric tractors for eight month. The EV’s aren’t ready to be sold commercially yet, but things are moving quickly.
“We’re very pleased with the product quality ahead of full-rate production,” said Foxconn Technology Group. “This milestone is achieved thanks to our employees and the strength of our ongoing partnership with Monarch Tractor. Foxconn prides itself on our partnerships, and we believe the shared goal of promoting sustainability and safety in agriculture is one of the many reasons we have found the right partner in Monarch Tractor.”
Since August of 2022, Monarch Tractors and the battery packs have been manufactured at the Foxconn Ohio facility. Now, they’re ready to roll out.
“As a leader in manufacturing some of the world’s most influential electric and autonomous technologies, Foxconn is the ideal partner for us as we look to rapidly expand production of the MK-V,” said Penmetsa. “Today’s farmers need solutions like the MK-V now that will increase farm profitability and sustainability and we’re the first company that is able to fulfill the global demand for these solutions. This is also a massive opportunity to produce large volumes of smart tractors in this class. We are excited to partner with Foxconn as we forever change the future of electrified farming.”
According to Foxconn, next steps include tuning production lines and finding more materials before they can put the electric tractors on the market.
To learn more about the wave of EV manufacturing businesses in the Valley, Mahoning Matters sat down with Guy Coviello, president & CEO of the Youngstown-Warren Chamber of Commerce.
Watch the interview here.
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