Australia ‘a strategic market’ for Chinese brand despite chequered impact
Australia’s relationship with Chinese truck makers has been anything but consistent.
Somewhat chequered, you might say.
Foton, however, says it sees Australia as ‘a strategic market’ and is extremely keen to make its initial mark with the two models on display in Brisbane, the Aumark S and the Auman EST.
Smaller of the two is the Aumark with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) rating of almost 7.5 tonnes while Auman carries a 12 tonnes GVM.
Power for the smaller model comes from a 3.8-litre Cummins ISF engine with peak outputs of 112kW and 500Nm of torque.
The Auman sports a 4.5-litre version of the ISF with outputs of 138kW and 700Nm.
The transmission is both models is a six-speed ZF.
Up close, the trucks don’t look too bad at all.
If you’re thinking the grille looks similar to the current range of Mercedes-Benz models, you’re not far off the mark, as Foton has a joint venture with Daimler.
Photography: Steve Brooks and Nathan Duff