Inchcape appointed as distributor of Foton in Australia

Commencing in the fourth quarter of this year, Inchcape will bring to the Australian market a range of Foton new energy and internal combustion engine utes and vans, and internal combustion engine trucks, which will no doubt include the Auman which is currently available in New Zealand and the Aumark which is powered by a 112kW/500Nm 3.8 Cummins turbo-diesel matched with a six-speed ZF manual transmission.

In a strange twist, Foton Mobility, the company which currently distributes the battery-electric Foton T5, will continue to distribute Foton’s electric light trucks, electric buses as well as hydrogen trucks and buses.

Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) CEO and Founder, Neil Wang, today reasserted that Foton Mobility Distribution has a current and binding Distribution Agreement with Foton International.

FMD said in a statement to trucksales.com.au: "After topping the Australian EV truck sales charts in 2023, (and leading again as at June 2024) Foton Mobility Distribution remains the Australian leader in new energy light trucks and is seeking further growth on the back of numerous key competitive advantages."

Initially, Inchcape said it will focus on growing the presence of Foton’s light-duty trucks and re-launch the brand’s new-generation utes into one of the most popular and crowded new vehicle segments in the Australian market.

Expanding the brand’s light commercial vehicle offering, vans will be introduced to the local range within the following year, and the product pipeline for the Australian market also includes electrified Foton utes and vans.

Inchcape says the partnership will leverage the strengths of both parties, including Inchcape’s well-established distribution experience, local market insights, and advanced digital capabilities in delivering exceptional customer experiences, and Foton’s commercial vehicle manufacturing expertise, as well as joint ventures with highly respected brands including Cummins, ZF, and Daimler, a partner in the design and manufacturing of the flagship Auman truck.

Ruslan Kinebas, CEO, Inchcape APAC said he is looking forward to welcoming Foton as a new distribution partner: “Today’s announcement builds upon the momentum of the strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and distributorships won by Inchcape across the Asia-Pacific region throughout the past year,” he said.

Damon Xu, VP, Foton International, said the partnership with Inchcape will strengthen Foton's presence in the local market: “As we partner with Inchcape to enhance the brand in Australia, a core market in Foton’s global strategy, we will continue to deliver on our expertise in quality-driven development and technological innovation, which has earned Foton a leadership position, particularly in trucks, across the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.”

In Australia, Inchcape is also the distributor for Subaru, Peugeot and Citroën vehicles.