Benzinga | Jan 15, 2021 01:02PM EST

Foxconn Taps Nio Co-Founder Jack Cheng To Lead New Open EV Platform

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.-ADR (OTC:HNHPF), widely known as Foxconn, has announced a high-profile appointment for its newly created open electric vehicle platform.

What Happened: Foxconn has appointed Jack Cheng, co-founder of Chinese EV start-up Nio Inc -- ADR (NYSE:NIO), as head of MIH, its open software and hardware platform for developing EVs, local Chinese media outlets reported.

William Wei, the unit's chief technology officer, will assume responsibility for software, the report said.

Related Link: Apple Supplier Foxconn Confirms It Will Make Electric Vehicles With Chinese Startup Byton

Cheng is an auto industry veteran, with over four decades of experience at companies such as Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU).

Cheng, along with William Li, was responsible for putting in place the core team at Nio in the second half of 2015.

After quitting Nio in 2019, Cheng worked for XPT, which develops core components for Nio.

Foxconn established the MIH platform in October to diversify into EV sector.

Earlier this week, Foxconn announced a 50-50 joint venture with Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (OTC:GELYF) to provide OEM production and comprehensive, customized consulting services to global automakers.

Why It's Important: The appointment of Cheng suggests Foxconn is contemplating a big push into the EV market.

The company's relationship with Apple in iPhone manufacturing makes it a favored name for a potential partnership with the tech giant, if and when it decides to take the plunge.

Related Link: What iPhone Supplier Foxconn's Strong Quarterly Revenue Means For Apple

Photo by Steve Jurvetson via Wikimedia.