TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei Auto Show returned after a two-year hiatus, showcasing a clear industry shift toward electric vehicles, with Foxtron (鴻華先進科技), a joint venture between electronics giant Foxconn (鴻海) and Taiwanese automaker Yulon Motor (裕隆汽車), debuting its new electric model. The show, which ran from Tuesday (Dec. 31) to Sunday (Jan. 4) at the Taipei World Trade Center, featured major brands including Toyota, Tesla, BMW, and Hyundai. However, several major automakers, including Volkswagen, Audi, Ford, and MG, were notably absent, diminishing the event's overall scale.
Wang Tse-wei (王澤瑋), visual director of Arthur Studio, expressed disappointment at the absences, noting that automakers may feel auto shows will gradually shift online. "It's a pity that Volkswagen & Audi Group hardly came to this year's auto show," Wang said. "I think that auto shows nowadays are becoming like film festivals, like with the Golden Horse Awards gradually becoming a regional film festival," he added, referring to Taiwan's premier film awards ceremony.
The show highlighted a strong industry trend toward hybrid and electric vehicles, with Japanese carmaker Mazda showcasing its Iconic SP concept car, which features a rotary engine functioning as a generator to supplement energy. Mazda stated its commitment to sustainability and driving enjoyment through the innovative powertrain design. A-pei (阿北), an automotive reporter for the media outlet Motor-uncle, praised the show's focus on new energy vehicles, noting that most featured models were hybrid cars.
"I think one of the great things about this auto show is that it features a lot of new energy vehicles, mostly hybrid cars," A-pei said. He noted that Honda drew significant online attention with its Prelude model: "The Prelude has been generating a lot of discussion online because its price in Japan is the same as the Type-R."
Liu Chien-hung (劉建宏), an automotive journalist, noted consumers now prefer electric vehicles over gasoline-powered ones "Would people now buy traditional gasoline cars? Consumers probably don't prefer them, unless they have budget considerations or like recreational vehicles," Liu said. "Performance cars might still use gasoline, but for most people it's probably hybrid or electric cars."
Foxtron debuted its new electric vehicle, the Foxtron Bria, following the company's announcement on Thursday (Dec. 19) that it will acquire 100% of Taiwanese carmaker Luxgen (納智捷) for NT$787.6 million (around US$25.2 million). The acquisition, expected to finalize in the first quarter of 2026, marks a significant turning point in Taiwan's automotive industry.
The acquisition means Foxconn, which previously focused on vehicle research and design, has transformed into its own brand, integrating both manufacturing and sales. Foxtron's initiative could prove pivotal for Taiwan's foothold in the electric vehicle market, as the company will now market its products directly to consumers, rather than only to businesses. "I think the matter between Luxgen and Foxtron has been largely settled," Liu said.
"With manufacturing and sales combined, and the brand remaining the same, I believe their future development will be positive," Liu added. "This is because their vertical integration will facilitate smoother communication, and new products will be launched successively, leading to a more favorable outlook." Foxtron's strategic shift from focusing solely on vehicle research and design to establishing its own brand marks a new chapter in the company's history.
The move appears to address challenges from the previous "design and sales separation" model that limited market penetration. The company's ability to secure a position in the competitive electric vehicle market will determine Taiwan's future standing in the automotive industry. It remains to be seen if its new vertical integration will be enough to compete against established global EV manufacturers. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.3)
