Foton View CS2 Reviews

Just launching in Australia, Foton is swerving away from the cheap-and-cheerful approach taken by Chery and Great Wall as it pitches its Tunland dual-cab ute into action with a $28,000 starting sticker. Tunland says the Toyota HiLux is its target in Australia and touts a mechanical package that is built around a Cummins 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, a Getrag gearbox and Bosch electronics. "I want to get one thing straight. They are Chinese assembled, but the componentry is all European or American. That's a huge difference," the sales and marketing chief of Foton Australia, Rod James, tells Carsguide. "This is a ute that Foton designed especially for first-world markets. We're the first to get it, with South Africa. We believe in the vehicle." Foton is being imported by a start-up company that was established to handle the local agency, although it has some experienced staff from other brands. It is aiming to sell 1700-2000 vehicles in 2013 and intends to expand its range with a single-cab ute and as 12-seater van called the View. James admits there are some shortcomings in the Tunland, which only has two airbags and no ESP, but is keen to talk about the mechanical components that - he says - justify the meaty starting price. "The things I see as huge plusses are the Cummins motor, which is $11,000 before fitting. The gearbox is $3500 as well. You start adding it up," he says. "On the critical side, there are cosmetic issues that they are working hard on. There is stuff they could have put in standard that they don't have as yet. "In 12 months it will be a different vehicle altogether. It's very satisfactory at this point, and good value, and it will get better." Foton is based at Yatala in Queensland and has 12 dealers, as well as a three-year/100,000 kilometre warranty. The 4x2 Tunland starts at $28,000 and the 4x4 model from $34,500, which James says is a "sweet spot" between brand-name Japanese utes and Great Wall from China. But Great Wall utes still start from $17,990 on the road in Australia and the most direct competitor for the Tunland, a dual-cab diesel from Great Wall, is still only $24,990 driveaway.  

Apparently several Tunlands have arrived to fly the flag for the Chinese-built dual cab utes, ahead of a projected Australian launch later this year. The demo Tunlands are the four-wheel drive, luxury dual cab, manual transmission versions. Anyone chasing a sneak peek and drive of the forthcoming FotonTunland utes should drop into Motorworld Queensland up in Brisbane. Or, if headed way west, at Perth Motorsport in Perth. Foton dealerships in Victoria, Adelaide and on the Sunshine Coast also are expected to soon have Tunlands available for test drives. While the two and four-wheel drive utes were expected in local showrooms earlier this year, a final-quarter launch now has been confirmed by FAA Automotive sales director Rod James on the Gold Coast.  "Production of the first shipment of production-line Tunlands is now under way and all going to plan, the vehicles will arrive on Australian soil in November," Mr James said.  

The words "Chinese" and "quality" aren't often used in the same sentence in the automotive world.But that could change with the Foton Tunland one-tonne ute arriving in Australia in October. Rod James, spokesman for the importer, Foton Automotive Australia (FAA), says the high-quality international components and low price will attract strong interest.They are powered by a American Cummins turbo-diesel engine married to a German Getrag five-speed short-shift manual gearbox and American Borg-Warner transfer box with German Bosch and Continental electrics, American Dana rear axles, a "proper" box chassis and leather interior."It's the first vehicle out of China that is truly a world car with a brand new platform and quality componentry, plus it's a good-looking vehicle," he says. "What's come in from China so far are vehicles that are being sold domestically in China on price alone."This vehicle comes with an expensive Cummins engine tested to 1m kilometres with a minimum failure rate."The Foton Tunland will initially arrive in basic five-seater dual-cab layout at $29,995 on the road for the two-wheel-drive model up to $36,990 for the luxury model with four-wheel drive. Optional cloth upholstery will cost about $1000 less.That compares with the Chinese Great Wall ute which starts at $17,990 for the V240 single cab. James says future Tunland models will include cheaper single cab and extra cab with a 1.8 tonne extended tray."We can't reveal our sales targets at the moment, but they are reasonably modest at first," James says. "On early indications, with the componentry and price, we believe there will be a reasonable market share there."FAA, which is a joint venture between management company NGI and bus importers the Phelan family, has 15 dealer outlets with a target of 60 sites over the next three years. They will have a three-year 100,000km warranty with a five-year paint and corrosion warranty and 10,000km service intervals.While the first models will arrive with the Cummins ISF 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and five-seed manual short-shift gearbox, they will be followed by a 100kW 2.4-litre petrol engine and six-speed ZF automatic transmission.There are push-button controls to switch between four and two-wheel drive on the fly and high and low ratios when stopped. It sits on a ladder-frame chassis with a live Dana rear axle and leaf springs and double-wishbone front suspension, with wide Chinese Savero tyres (245/70 R16) and 17 and 18-inch options available.It's missing Bluetooth, aux input and USB inputs but it does have four auto windows with the driver's window also auto up. James expects a four-star safety rating. It comes with reverse sensors and braking is assisted by anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD) and as yet doesn't have stability control."They've been tested by (Euro) NCAP at four stars and we are expecting the same," James says. "The only thing it lacks is five airbags. There are only two at this stage, but we have no fears that it will get to five stars reasonably quickly." It doesn't have reach-adjustable steering, but does have rear parking sensors.It looks very American with an imposing chrome grille and some nice cosmetic touches. The bodywork gaps are small and consistent, the door seals are generous, there are extended mudflaps, side steps, fog lamps, big back doors, truck-size mirrors and the rear tray was sprayed with a liner which is an option.However, there is some unfinished bodywork around the back window and rear bumper and the wheel arches are uncovered which means a lot of noise over gravel. Inside is leather upholstery, wood trim highlights, basic switchgear and plastic trim that is hard, but reasonable quality with matching colours.The front bucket seats are flat with little support and you tend to slide around on them. James points out that the Tunland is "longer, wider and higher" than the Toyota HiLux which has become Australia's top-selling car in the past few months.Towing capacity is currently listed at 2.5 tonne, but James says that could be uprated. "It has the capacity to tow a lot more. Our engineers have tested it and they are all sure it is at least three tonnes," he says. It has a healthy 210mm of ground clearance, but a wide 13.5m minimum turning circle.There are only two cars in the country doing the rounds of dealers and we had a chance to drive one a short distance around town. When it fires up the Cummins engine has the usual diesel rattle but it's not invasive, especially when the revs pick up.The engine pulls firmly from 1800 revs and feels smooth and powerful. All the pedals feel mushy which is a contrast to the heavy and notchy gearshift. Steering is also on the heavy and numb side.

And it bears a striking resemblance to a Mercedes-Benz Actros. But before you conclude that this is another case of a Chinese company blatantly ripping off a Western design, let me fill you in on the background.  It actually is an Actros, one that is made by a new joint venture between Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler and Chinese giant Foton. The German brand has actually been negotiating with Foton for years, but has only just gained approval from the Chinese government. Foreign companies are not allowed to set up and produce cars by themselves in the emerging market. Government regulations mean that if they want to build vehicles in China, they must set up a local joint venture operation with a local firm, which means splitting costs and profits. However, the booming Chinese market is just to important to ignore, encouraging Daimler to hook up with a major Chinese player.  Daimler estimates that China accounted for 40 per cent of global sales of medium and heavy-duty trucks last year. Foton, which has only been building trucks since 1998, sold more than 100,000 medium and heavy-duty trucks last year, making it the number one truck brand in the country.  The new joint-venture, called Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA), will open a seconds plant in Beijings Huairou district in order to boost annual production to 160,000 trucks.  Daimler says teaming up with Foton will give it a strong foothold in China. Our 50 percent stake in Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive will enable us to play a major role in the Chinese truck market and give us access to the attractive volume segment, says Daimler trucks chief, Andreas Renschler.

And it is now confident of becoming a major global player. The Beijing-based manufacturer fired up in August 1996, building in the main trucks and buses. Today it is the country's top commercial vehicle brand, has sold more than five million vehicles and reportedly accounts for 50 per cent of Beijing city's income. Now Foton is moving to be "the leading brand in world auto market", making inroads into new markets and expanding its vehicle line-up from the current heavy and medium duty trucks, buses and vans down to a compact car by 2015. It wants to be a top ten, world class automotive concern by 2020. The master plan is 5+3+1, first expanding in developing areas such as Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia. The next three target markets are North America, Europe and Japan. And the one is for the home country: "Foton will guarantee its leadership in the Chinese market by the deep plough of its Chinese market." In all this Australia could serve as a small, but important player. Here, as the Japanese realised decades back, is a test market for western customers and tastes. Medium-duty Foton trucks arrived here three years ago and, all going to plan, the first light commercial Fotons, the Tunland utes, will be here in May. Inside 12 months that range should include dual, single and extra cabs, diesel and petrol engines, two and four-wheel drives. A commuter/cargo van is on its way, as is an SUV wagon based on the Tunland. And by 2015 there should be a compact car from Foton. It is a confident company, one that already has a joint venture engine company with Cummins to produce 2.8 litre and 3.8 litre diesel engines for trucks, buses, vans, utes and SUVs. Last weekend it signed, after nine years of negotiations, a joint venture deal with Daimler - Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive. This alliance will focus on the medium and heavy duty truck market and is another milestone in Foton's drive toward becoming a major manufacturer.  The Tunland utes, and the Australian market, will help map out the road ahead.

It is a fair-sized dual cab, 150mm wider in the cabin than a Toyota HiLux though rivals may beat it for rear legroom.

...has secured the rights to distribute the Foton range of 4x2 and 4x4 utility vehicles with plans for a sales kick-off early 2012. Australian Design Rule compliance and testing is currently under way and is due to be finalised in the next two months. The Foton utes will be powered by a Cummins ISF 2.8 litre Euro 5 common rail turbo diesel or a Foton manufactured 2.4-litre petrol engine coupled to a Getrag five-speed manual or ZF six-speed automatic. The Foton ute has been designed and targeted for both North American and "Western" markets rather than for domestic Chinese sales and has been benchmarked against the best Japanese rival models. As well as Foton ute, WMC Group handles Higer buses and JAC trucks in Australia. Foton will be well specified and priced at a level that will be between 15 and 20 per cent less than comparable models from Japanese manufacturers. Australia has the third highest sales of utes in the world and Foton will be using it as a launch pad ahead of a planned move into North America and Europe over the next two years. Foton will build the ute in an entirely new state of the art green fields plant near Beijing and it will be the first vehicle to be manufactured in the factory. It is fitted with ABS+EBD along with dual front airbags. The latest Euro 5 spec ISF 2.8-litre common rail turbo diesel engine is the newest engine in the Cummins range and delivers up to 120kW of power and 380 Nm of torque soon after. The transmission features an electronic transfer case for selection of four wheel drive on the move, while it also boasts the latest design heavy duty Dana axles with limited slip differential. WMC is planning a range of six model variants in 4x4 dual cab diesel, a 4x2 dual cab diesel, and a 4x2 dual cab petrol as well as a 4x2 extra cab diesel and 4x2 single cab models with either diesel or petrol power. A strong dealer network has already being assembled to handle sales of the Foton ute range.