Poland's EMP teams up with Foxconn to build EV manufacturing hub
By Barbara Erling
EMP and Foxconn Partnership to Boost Electric Vehicle Industry in Poland
WARSAW, May 7 (Reuters) - ElectroMobility Poland will partner with Taiwan's Foxconn to develop an electric vehicle production and research hub in southern Poland, the state-backed company said on Thursday, advancing plans to create an EV champion as European demand picks up.
Scope of Cooperation and Joint Venture Plans
EMP said it was negotiating the scope of cooperation with Foxconn and its EV subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, including possibly forming a joint venture, and aimed to sign binding agreements in the second half of 2026.
Strategic Partnership Rationale
"From the outset, we have designed this project around the need for a partner that combines industrial scale with technological depth," EMP's CEO Cyprian Gronkiewicz said.
He cited commitments on technology transfer, building in-house vehicle design capabilities in Poland and the potential use of local suppliers as decisive factors in choosing the Taiwanese group.
Distribution and Market Reach
"We will be the center not only of production, but also of distribution of these cars to the entire European market," Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun said at the event announcing the partnership.
European EV Market Growth
Battery EV sales in the European Union rose by about one-third in the first quarter, according to industry association ACEA, lifted in part by higher fuel prices resulting from the Iran war.
EMP's EV Production Timeline and Facility Plans
Production Launch and Initial Capacity
EMP EXPECTS TO LAUNCH EV PRODUCTION IN 2029
The project envisions development of a local brand, initially with three models for the European market.
Plans include a factory in the southern city of Jaworzno with body and paint shops, battery and electric drive assembly, and final vehicle assembly.
Expansion and Future Output
EMP's CEO said the plant will initially have a production capacity of around 100,000 cars per year, but output could rise to 380,000 to 400,000 with further expansion planned in line with growing demand and sales.
The first car will roll off the production line in 2029, according to the EMP CEO.
Research and Development Initiatives
The hub is also expected to include a new research and development centre focused on software, data analytics and digital mobility solutions.
EMP said the project would be complemented by investments aimed at supporting the wider electric mobility ecosystem, including the battery sector.
Funding and Financial Support
Funding will come from the National Recovery Plan and the Reprivatisation Fund, which recapitalised EMP in December 2025, EMP said.
(Reporting by Barbara Erling;Editing by Bernadette Baum and Joe Bavier)
