Foton’s Tunland and Aumark S lead the commercial push in Australia

Utes, trucks and vans will be the focus of a steady expansion of the Chinese brand Foton, which has just relaunched in Australia.

Although Foton also produces SUVs and people-movers, local distributor Inchcape is focusing solely on the brand’s commercial vehicle range.

Inchcape Australasia managing director, Blair Read said Foton’s strength lies in its “commercial vehicle[s]”, which will form the foundation of its Australian relaunch.

The four-model Tunland V7 and V9 dual-cab ute range will be launched by Inchcape. Also, within the first 12 months, the Aumark S light-duty truck and a selection of vans will follow not far from behind.

Expanding the Tunland line-up to include fleet-focused cab-chassis models is also being investigated but may not fall within the first 12 months of Foton’s return to the Australian market.

“We're bringing a truck and ute brand into our portfolio, a space that we've long wanted to participate in the market,” said Mr Read.

Inchcape also distributes Subaru, Deepal and Peugeot in Australia.

“Foton's arrival also makes a really clear statement of intent that Australians deserve choice, quality and technology in commercial vehicle brands and we're incredibly proud that Inchcape will help deliver that through our existing dealer network, our local market expertise and our commitment to customer.”

The Aumark S – which competes with models like the Isuzu N Series and Mitsubishi Canter – is already listed on the Foton Australia website. However, it’s still unclear which vans from Foton’s broader line-up will be offered locally.

However, Mr Read has confirmed the latest Foton View i electric van was on the consideration list.

“That is one of the vans,” he said.

“Vans is definitely something within the next 12 months you'll hear more from us on.

“They've got a lot to choose from, so our job is to go, ‘where is it?’. A bit like [Tunland], where's the best starting point to bring product in and get it established and then you can start branching off from there.”

Inchcape’s confirmed interest in an electric-vehicle (EV) van points to plans for electrified powertrains in the Australian Foton line-up.

“That's part of the offering that's available from Foton and it's working through timing, right options,” Mr Read said.

He described the cab-chassis as another “watch this space”.

“There's product available, there's product that we're interested in looking at. We don't have anything confirmed today, but, yeah, we're looking at it.

“It's one we're thinking about, whether it's in the next 12 months or so. We'll just determine on what happens in the next couple of months with discussions around the portfolio and testing.”

Whatever comes, Mr Read confirmed it will be a new-gen product and not drawn from older models such as the Ford Ranger-sized Tunland G, which is related to the ute sold unsuccessfully in Australia between 2012 and 2019.

“That was a very deliberate decision not to bring that in. As part of re-establishing and growing the brand, we want to bring in the new-generation product that shows the best of their product development,” Mr Read said.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au