Foton Tunland 2015 News

FAA Automotive Australia, distributors of the Foton Tunland one-tonne ute, have built up a generic mine spec' version of the Tunland dual cab, with a view to demonstrating it in selected mines around Australia. The Mine Spec Tunland features a steel tube external ROPS (Rollover Protection System) comprising an over-cab bar structure and a steel bull bar with aerial mounts, a heavy-duty anodised aluminium dropside tray, integrated UHF radio and various safety accessories and customized lighting required on mine sites generally. FAA director Grant Phelan said the Tunland had some notable advantages in the conventional cab one-tonne ute class which suited modification for a tough life in the mines. "Unlike all other one-tonne utes, Tunland's Cummins 2.8 litre turbo-diesel engine has a cast iron cylinder head whose superior thermal efficiency enables reliable operation at higher temperatures, with the added benefit of thermostat-controlled electric radiator fans rather than the power wasting (and noisy) viscous-coupled fans paired with alloy head utes. "Tunland's engine also does duty in Foton's bigger trucks up to 4.5 tonnes GVM so is understressed in Tunland, a further boon to the Cummins' longevity reputation. A steel plate sump guard is standard on Tunland 4x4.  

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.  

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.