In a strategic move reflecting the shifting tides of global manufacturing and technology, Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, has sold its Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant for $375 million to Crescent Dune LLC, an existing business partner. The transaction, announced on August 4, 2025, includes the plant’s land, buildings, and machinery, but Foxconn will continue to operate the 6.2 million-square-foot facility under a long-term lease agreement, with a focus on pivoting the site toward artificial intelligence (AI) data center and AI server development. This sale marks a significant shift from the plant’s original purpose as an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, positioning Lordstown as a potential cornerstone in the burgeoning U.S. AI infrastructure market. Foxconn acquired the Lordstown plant in 2022 for $230 million from the now-bankrupt Lordstown Motors Corp., which had itself purchased the facility from General Motors in 2019. Initially, Foxconn aimed to leverage the plant to expand into the EV market, collaborating with Lordstown Motors to produce the Endurance electric pickup truck. However, the partnership deteriorated, with Lordstown Motors filing for bankruptcy in 2023 and suing Foxconn, citing unfulfilled promises. The EV venture faced further setbacks due to production delays and weak market demand, prompting Foxconn to reassess its strategy. The sale to Crescent Dune LLC, a Delaware-based entity established just 12 days prior to the announcement, includes the land and buildings for $88 million and machinery and equipment for $287 million, yielding Foxconn an estimated gain of over $170 million. The proceeds will be reinvested into Foxconn’s U.S. operations, with the company emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a presence in Lordstown. This move is designed to provide “greater flexibility and operational efficiency” as Foxconn repositions the facility to align with high-growth sectors like AI and cloud computing. Foxconn’s decision to transform the Lordstown plant into a hub for AI data center equipment reflects the growing global demand for AI infrastructure. The Ohio site, spanning over 6 million square feet, will reportedly support the production of cloud computing hardware and servers for AI applications. This facility is six times larger than a plant Foxconn is building in Houston to manufacture Nvidia’s GB300 AI servers, underscoring its potential to become a major player in the U.S. AI supply chain. The pivot aligns with Foxconn’s broader strategic realignment. The company, a key manufacturing partner for tech giants like Nvidia and Apple, has seen “significant growth” in its cloud and networking product segments. Last week, Foxconn announced a partnership with TECO Electric & Machinery Co. to develop AI data centers in the U.S., further signaling its intent to capitalize on the AI boom. The Lordstown facility’s vast size and existing infrastructure make it an ideal candidate for retrofitting to produce high-performance computing hardware, a market projected to see investments of up to $500 billion from companies like Nvidia in the coming years. The sale and repurposing of the Lordstown plant have been hailed as a “pivotal moment” for Ohio’s Mahoning Valley by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Guy Coviello, the chamber’s president and CEO, noted that the transaction positions the region for a “new chapter of advanced manufacturing and economic opportunity.” The chamber’s “Drive It Home Ohio” campaign, launched in 2018 to advocate for the plant’s strategic importance, has laid the groundwork for this transformation. The sale is expected to utilize the facility’s full 6.2 million square feet, potentially increasing local job opportunities. Currently, the Lordstown plant employs approximately 500 workers, primarily producing electric tractors for Monarch Tractor, a California-based startup. While Foxconn remains committed to its automotive customers and retains the ability to ramp up EV production if demand arises, the focus on AI data centers is likely to preserve and potentially expand employment at the site. This shift mitigates the financial drag of the underperforming EV project while aligning with U.S. government incentives to reshore advanced manufacturing, particularly in AI and semiconductor production. Foxconn’s strategic shift mirrors a broader industry trend, as manufacturers pivot from capital-intensive EV projects with uncertain returns to the high-margin, predictable business of AI hardware assembly. The U.S. is seeing a surge in AI data center investments, driven by tech giants and supported by government policies aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains. Foxconn’s partnerships with Nvidia, Apple, and now TECO position it to capture a significant share of this market. The success of this pivot will depend on Foxconn’s ability to execute its vision and deliver on its promises—something the Mahoning Valley, with its history of industrial booms and busts, will be watching closely. For now, the sale represents a bold step toward a future where AI, not EVs, may drive the region’s economic revival. MacDailyNews Take: So, who is this “existing business partner” behind the Crescent Dune LLC shell company? Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Foxconn sells Lordstown, Ohio plant for $375 million to ‘existing business partner,’ plans to transform it into massive AI server factory appeared first on MacDailyNews. 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Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Foxconn sells Lordstown, Ohio plant for $375 million to ‘existing business partner,’ plans to transform it into ma…
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