Mobility brand FOTON Philippines held its first media drive for the year to feature its Foton Thunder 2.0 A/T pickup, as well as its facilities located inside the Clark Freeport Zone. The event was also the first media activity under the helm of freshly appointed General Manager Levy Santos.
Starting off from the Foton A. Bonifacio dealership, 5 straight-off-the-assembly-line Foton Thunder 2.0 A/Ts headed 65 kilometers Northward to Foton Bacolor in Pampanga, where Santos and other executives were waiting for the convoy.
Inside the Foton facility in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga | Photo by Mika Fernandez-David
After a sumptuous breakfast of local fare, the group continued to Clark Freeport Zone for a tour of Foton’s Billion-Peso assembly plant and parts facility. Construction of the plant started in 2016 and was the first automotive plant under the Clark Development Corporation. Now fully operational, the site serves as Foton Philippines’ headquarters whose assembly line can produce up to 12,000 vehicles annually. It also houses the brand’s substantial parts repository which supports Foton’s fast-growing user base.
Newly-installed Foton Philippines General Manager Levy Santos and the Thunder 2.0 4×2 | Photo by Mika Fernandez-David
Foton Thunder 2.0 A/T
The Foton Thunder 2.0 4×2 variants (also known as the Tunland G7 in other markets) are powered by a Euro V-compliant 2.0-liter Aucan (4F20TC5) turbocharged diesel engine that promises 161Hp and 380Nm of torque @ 1800rpm. The mill is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic. All variants have a 6-meter turning radius, a minimum ground clearance of 220mm, as well as independent double-wishbone front suspension and leaf springs for the rear. Inside, a 10.25-inch floating infotainment touchscreen is likewise standard across all variants.
Safety and security features of the 4×2 variants include:
- ABS+EBD+TCS-Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Hydraulic Braking Assist
- High Mount Third Brake Light
- Hill Descent Control
- Hill Hold Control
- Dual Airbags
- 3-Point Seatbelt with ELR
- Safety Belt Reminder
- Child Lock Function
- Anti-Pitch Sensor System
Comfort and convenience features found across all variants:
- Keyless Entry with Hold Window Down Control
- Power Window Control
- Central Locking System
- Power Side Mirrors
- Multi-Function Steering Wheel
- Driver Seat Height Adjustment
- Headlamp Adjustment
The locally-assembled Foton Thunder is competitively priced at Php 1,350,000 for the A/T variant and Php 1,180,000 for the M/T and comes with a 3-year warranty or 100, 000 kms whichever comes first.
Foton Big Show
In celebration of Foton Motor Philippines Inc.’s 16th year in the Philippines, the company’s annual commercial vehicle show will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Dubbed Foton’s BIG SHOW 2023: Commerce and Mobility Synergized, the exhibit will run from February 10 to 12, from 10:00 A.M daily. On display will be 33 different units that were all made to serve and empower Filipino businesses.
One of the highlights of this year’s Big Show will be the launching of the Foton Tornado 3.6 EV – the first electric light-duty truck to hit the Philippine market.
“The dawn of the new generation of trucking and new leaders in businesses is here. Foton Motor Philippines Inc. has always been the pioneer in providing mobility solutions and it only competes to change its own game. In the many successive years we are holding the Big Shows, we have spurred record-high sales and ushered in top-caliber choice for entrepreneurs from large-scale to small-scale businesses,” said Foton Philippines General Manager Levy Santos.
“We hope Foton’s Big Show 2023 opens to the patrons, business owners, and other guests, the choices they have in welcoming sustainability which does not have to break their backs. At Foton, our goal is to provide these options, especially for our core market – logistics, construction, and the hospitality industry,” he added.
Also scheduled to be launched at the Big Show are the 16-seater Traveller 2.0 Van and the Harabas 1.9 Miler MPV. The pricing for the Foton Thunder 2.0 4×4 M/T is also expected to be announced.
Foton Motor Philippines Inc.’s offerings include passenger vehicles, modern public transport, light-, medium-, heavy-duty trucks, and heavy equipment. It is a top 10, elite brand certified by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.
For more information about Foton Philippines, visit www.fb.com/FotonPhilippines.