Foton’s Local Assembly Set to Drive African Expansion

Foton is gearing up to take a much larger role in Africa’s automotive market, with locally assembled Tunland bakkies expected to roll off the production line early next year. The move marks an important step in the company’s strategy to strengthen its footprint across the continent.

Marius Smal, CEO of Foton South Africa and Managing Director of Mandarin Parts Distributors, says the assembly of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Foton bakkies at BAIC’s new facility in Gqeberha is progressing very well.

“BAIC has a 35% stake in Foton in China but operates separately,” he explains. “The Foton range assembled locally will expand with time, and between BAIC’s assembling of its new Sport Utility Vehicle, Foton SA’s Light Commercial Vehicles and Foton Global’s Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles, the aim is to roll out 10 000 units a year from the local plant.”

This production target will also enable Foton to benefit from the Automotive Production and Development Programme Phase 2, which provides customs duty rebates and cash grants to boost local manufacturing and job creation.

Although Foton’s medium and heavy commercial vehicles are well established in Africa, Smal says the brand’s light commercial segment still has room to grow. The local assembly of the G7 range is expected to be followed by models such as the Truckmate, Miler and a minibus or panel van.

In South Africa, the dealer network has grown rapidly from 40 to 63 outlets, with strong monthly sales. “There is great acceptance of the brand in South Africa, and last month we sold more than 400 vehicles, with more than half of the bakkies from our G7 range,” Smal says. “Our competitive pricing, good fuel economy and the reliability of the Cummins engines and ZF gearboxes have seen the popularity of Foton grow.”

He adds that the forthcoming V7 and V9 bakkies will further strengthen Foton’s line-up, offering luxury features, advanced technology and a focus on comfort.