Ricciardo backs Foton

Ricciardo Earthmoving, a major provider of site preparation services for Perth's home construction industry, recently added Foton to its commercial fleet.

The company now operates six light-duty trucks, including two Foton steel-tray trucks, along with 12 larger flat-top trucks and a range of excavators and earthmoving equipment.

Ricciardo's Operations Manager, Anthony Pulitano, said the Foton offering was attractive on a number of levels.

"We have a range of vehicles from heavy trucks to utes and the Foton fitted our need for our light truck requirement perfectly," he said.

"The Fotons are used for final site preparation and each one is fitted with a small hydraulic truck-mounted HIAB crane, plus an 800kg compactor along with around 400 litres of fuel and a range of other tools.

"The Fotons do it easily and the ability for the HIAB to be run off a PTO from the gearbox added to the attractiveness."

Mr Pulitano said the Foton's 2.8-litre Cummins engine, which produces 110kW and 360Nm, was a major drawcard.

"The Cummins engine was really the reason we looked at the Foton and then the pricing made it even more attractive," he said.

"In the past we used a light Korean-made truck but they are no match for the Foton, which offers a better payload and performance while still being legal on a car licence. That was really important for us, as our operators are generally not truck drivers."

Mr Pulitano said the Foton trucks were also very economical, and that Ricciardo would be looking to purchase more Fotons in the future.

"Certainly as our older light-duty trucks come up for renewal we will be replacing the other four with Fotons; they haven't let us down and there really is no better truck on the market for the price and capability it offers," he said.

Underlining its faith in Foton, Ricciardo also recently purchased its first Foton ute.

Foton Trucks are available with either of two engines in two cab widths and three wheelbases with GVMs from 4.5 to 8.5 tonnes. Prices start from $32,990 drive away, and each truck is backed by a three-year, 160,000km warranty, free roadside assistance and the support of a 23-strong national dealer network.

For more information visit www.fotontrucks.com.au.