Foton to add sports utility vehicle offering

15th January 2016

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Foton South Africa (SA) will introduce the Chinese manufacturer’s Sauvana sports-utility vehicle (SUV) to the country this year.

The model name is derived from the Spanish word ‘savannah’, which refers to a tropical plateau.

The importer promises the SUV will be “competitively priced”.

The Sauvana was first shown at the Shanghai Auto Show last year and was launched at an international event in the US, using its American-designed Cummins engine as a major marketing tool.

The Sauvana is a large-size SUV powered by a 2.8 ℓ Cummins turbo-diesel engine, similar to the power trains fitted to Foton’s Tunland bakkie range, which has been on sale in South Africa since 2012.

The Sauvana, which is based on the chassis and running gear of the Tunland bakkie, features a body-on-frame design that offers rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive options with low range.

The Sauvana has a wheelbase of 2 790 mm, and is 4 830 mm long, 1 910 mm wide and 1 840 mm high.

The local range will offer the option of a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

It can seat five or seven occupants, depending on the model.

Inside, standard features include an infotainment touchscreen and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Luxury options extend to keyless entry and keyless starting, sunroof and automatic climate and cruise control.

Foton was established in 1996 and has its headquarters in Beijing. It is part of the booming Beijing Automotive Investment Company group.

Foton passenger and light commercial vehicles are distributed in South Africa by a joint venture between Imperial Holdings and Bidvest, with sales and service available at 34 dealerships nationwide.

“The Foton brand is making steady progress into the South African vehicle market as we expand the range,” says Mike Scarth, who is responsible for the sales and marketing of Foton passenger and light commercial vehicles in the domestic market.

“We are confident that the Sauvana will assist in growing sales volume.”

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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