Chinese ute specialist set for big sales push from NZ-familiar distributor.

PITCH by a fresh regional distributor for a Chinese one-tonne utility specialist to re-energise that brand will steer clear of New Zealand.

Inchcape, responsible for Subaru, KGM and LDV in New Zealand, has added has Foton utes, vans, and internal combustion-engined light trucks to its portfolio in Australia, where it also represents Subaru, Citroen, and Peugeot.

In doing so, it has announced intention to begin selling Foton utes and vans with electric and internal combustion-engine power from later this year.

However, the initial plan is “growing the presence of Foton’s light-duty trucks and re-launch the brand’s new-generation utes” is purely for Australia, a spokesperson said today.

That’s because Foton already has representation, via another channel here.

“… it’s the Australian market only. We acknowledge there is an existing and established Foton distributor in New Zealand,” Inchcaope Australasia head of communications Chloe Fraser said in response to inquiry.

There are currently two Foton utes available in overseas markets, the Tunland G and Tunland V, successors to the Tunland ute Kiwis have known in Cummins’ diesel-powered form.

The Tunland G (above) measures 5630mm long, 1940mm wide, 1870mm tall, and has a 3400mm wheelbase, making it larger than the market dominating Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. It runs a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine outputting 120kW/390Nm.

Tunland V (below) appears to avail in two sizes; there’s a 5617mm long, 2000mm wide, and 3355mm wheelbase option and a larger 5797mm long, 2090mm wide, and 3505mm wheelbase form.

Various powertrains are on offer, including a mild-hybrid unit with a 284kW output and a plug-in hybrid version that might logically compete against the BYD Shark and Ford Ranger PHEV.

Rights to Foton utes and light commercial trucks appear to be maintained by the Ebbett Group, which consists of 19 dealerships across the North Island.

In late 2016 it secured Foton rights from initial distributor Ateco Group, which kicked off the brand’s national presence in 2013.

Ateco is bets known for representing some Stellantis brands - notably Fiat, Alfa Romeo, RAM and Jeep - and has recently gone big with BYD, having previously dabbled with another Chinese make, Chery.

When Ebbett achieved Foton ute rights its Anglesea Vehicle Distributors’ operation had been distributing Foton vans for more than a year already.

It expressed hope that by consolidating the entire Foton range into one distributor would bring a more focussed approach to the market and better dealer support.

However, on strength of a website check, it now only seems to represent the fully commercial trucks.