Just when you thought the automotive industry couldn't get any more crowded, another contender is stepping into the arena. Sharp, a TV manufacturer, plans to collaborate with Foxconn, the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer and a key producer of the iPhone. Their first collaborative venture is the LDK+, an EV with a charmingly boxy design and several innovative features. Originally conceived as Foxconn's Model C crossover, it has been reimagined for minivan use. Sharp has utilized the expansive roof by installing solar panels to either charge the battery or power a home. Additionally, a separate "storage battery" facilitates bidirectional charging, providing emergency energy during power outages caused by natural disasters.

The spacious interior can comfortably fit a 65-inch screen and swivel-equipped rear seats. Sharp claims the LDK+ employs artificial intelligence to gather data from home appliances, adjusting the AC and screen brightness accordingly. The large rear display isn't just for entertainment; it can also serve as a mobile office. Technical details remain undisclosed, but the 2021 concept has evolved into a production model currently available in Taiwan as the Foxtron Model C. This road-going SUV boasts 231 horsepower, 250 pound-feet of torque, and a range of 314 miles under the NEDC cycle. Measuring 184.8 inches long, 74.6 inches wide, and 64 inches tall, with a 115-inch wheelbase, the Foxtron Model C weighs approximately 4,300 pounds. Sharp's electric minivan, however, has different dimensions.

In an interview with Automotive News, Sharp's software development manager at the Next Innovation branch, Kazuma Naito, revealed the company's goal to begin selling cars by 2030, though he acknowledged this is a "loose goal." Given Foxconn's 66% controlling stake in Sharp, it's unsurprising that they will collaborate again to introduce EVs by the end of the decade. Initially, Sharp aims to sell electric cars in Japan, either domestically produced or manufactured by Foxconn, potentially in China. Sharp won't be the only Japanese tech giant venturing into the car business; Sony has partnered with Honda to launch Sony Honda Mobility, aiming to bring the Afeela electric sedan to market in 2025, followed by an SUV in 2027 and a compact model by 2028 at the earliest.

In other tech-to-car news, the long-anticipated Apple Car was reportedly canceled in February, despite over $10 billion invested over a decade, according to The New York Times.