Hankook at Auto Shanghai 2013
Foton, a major Chinese auto manufacturer, has launched an ambitious plant to develop its range of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles two models ready for production, Sauvana SUV and Toana midi buses and van were presented at the recent fair of automotive Auto Shanghai, which attracted 2,000 exhibitors from 18 countries.
The Sauvana, which is the first SUV and is based on his Tunland a ton pickup is for lifestyle owners who love the outdoors as it has a very good off-road capability and a comfortable driving on Foton paved roads Designed and developed under the name U201 code, Sauvana is a body-on-frame design that offers rear wheel drive options or four-wheel drive the Sauvana sit five or seven passengers, depending on the model.
The Sauvana is now launched in China and will be presented to international markets later in the year Foton Auto South Africa is evaluating the Sauvana for possible introduction in SA.
There is a choice of two turbocharged engines, diesel engine ISF Cummins 2 8 liters and an injection comply with the Euro V standard, direct petrol 2-liter, with the availability of five and manual transmission or six-speed one Automatic transmission with six speeds no final decision has been taken on an electric train if Sauvana is launched in South Africa.
Foton is clear with its intention to produce a luxury SUV The interior is well equipped and has a high quality appearance Features include a touch screen infotainment and audio and speed controls on the steering wheel luxury features include keyless entry and starting push-button, sunroof, automatic climate control and cruise control.
The second production model shown in Shanghai, the midi Toana, is the name of a small town in Italy and was developed by the original Mercedes-Benz Sprinter team, which is now based on new research and development Foton in Stuttgart, Germany.
The Toana has proved its reliability, power, security and electronic characteristics through the rigorous testing process Foton and obtaining certification by TUV Rheinland.
Although no plans have been made at this stage to import the Toana in South Africa, there is another model that will be evaluated for the local introduction Foton Auto South Africa.
Foton Auto, which was established in 1996 with headquarters in Beijing, China, is part of the expansion of Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings BAIC Group's main area of focus so far has been the construction of a range of utility vehicles and pickup trucks to large trucks and buses.
Foton is, in fact, the Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer with the widest range and highest volume of production and is one of the largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles in the world In addition to spot joint venture with Cummins US to develop and build engines Foton signed a 50 50 joint venture with Daimler in 2012, which involves manufacturing vehicles and engines.
It has 20 factories engines and assembly in China and 13 facilities worldwide KD, providing a current production capacity of one million units per year the company strategy for the future is to increase production to three million units per year by 2020.
Foton vehicles are distributed in South Africa through 36 points of sale and service, and are backed by Imperial and Bidvest.
Foton displays of new products in Shanghai Auto Show, Foton Auto, Shanghai.