Foxconn, known for contract-manufacturing devices such as the Apple iPhone, revealed its plans to diversify into making electric vehicles on a livestream on Monday, and announced the Model C SUV and the Model E saloon, alongside the Model T bus. The two cars are based on a newly introduced Hon Hai EV platform.

• To develop three EVs – Models C, E and T
• Model E could have a range of 595km
• Model C to be launched by 2023 under Yulon’s brand

The Model C, described as an “intrinsically optimised electric SUV with a pure electric nature”, is 4,640mm long with a wheelbase of 2,860mm and space for seven occupants. It would allow for easy urban navigation while prioritising interior storage space.

The Model C is powered by a 134hp electric motor mated to a 58kWh battery pack and is said to accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.8sec while offering a range of 372 miles (around 595km).

The Model E – designed by Pininfarina – is aimed towards the luxury car market with a rear seat design capable of being used as a mobile office, with advanced technology, including face recognition and smart windows.

The Model E is powered by a 96kWh battery with a range of 446 miles (around 713km). It has two electric motors, a 201hp unit mounted at the front and a 536hp one at the rear for a total power output of around 750hp and a 0-100kph sprint time of just 2.8sec.

Foxconn also announced the Model T, an electric bus with 248 miles (around 397km) of range and a maximum speed of 120kph.

The firm hopes that its electric car business will be worth one trillion Taiwanese dollars (£25 billion) in five years. The Model C will be launched under Taiwanese car firm Yulon’s brand in Taiwan in 2023, while the Model E could be sold under a different, existing brand in the coming years.