Foton Big General wanted in Oz
Chinese F-150 rip-off could be sold in Australia alongside Tunland dual-cab uteIf imitation is the finest form of flattery, then the Ford F-150 would be blushing right now.
The Foton Da Jiang Jun (translation: Big General) is a new dual-cab pick-up truck from the same Chinese car-maker that sells the Tunland ute in Australia, and it clearly borrows more than a few design cues from the Ford F-150.
But since the Big General emerged in China a few weeks ago, Foton’s 30 or so Australian dealers have been pushing the case to sell the new pick-up Down Under.
Asked if Foton would considering selling the Big General ute in Australia if it was made available, Foton Motor Australia general manager Tracie Hobelt told carsales: “Absolutely.”
“Our dealers are very excited by the Big General but at this stage there is no confirmation for Australia,” she added.
Details on the Foton Big General are scarce, but the ute has been shown to stakeholders – in Australia as well as overseas – since first images emerged in China earlier this month.
These shots published by Ford Authority.com, confirm the new Chinese ute is a spitting image of Ford’s F-150 full-size pick-up.
However, the Big General is understood to be a mid-size model by US standards, which means it could be closer in stature to a Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
Given it’s expected to be powered by four-cylinder engines, including a 177kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, it certainly sounds more like a Ford Ranger-sized machine than a full-size F-150.
The transmission is understood to be limited to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, but count on both 4x2 and 4x4 driveline options.
The Foton Big General will be presented at the Beijing motor show later this month.
If it does eventually make its way to Australia, the Ford F-150 knock-off would sit alongside the Foton Tunland dual-cab ute in Aussie showrooms.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stock levels of the Tunland – which is priced from $36,990 drive-away – have been depleted and shipments from China are not expected to resume until early 2021.
Stay tuned for more details on the Big General soon.
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