Foton finally launches Tunland ute

Foton has finally launched its new Tunland one-tonne ute in Australia, priced from $28,000.Now available from 12 Australian dealers – expanding to 15 by year’s end and 31 in 2013 – the Tunland twin-cab comes in 4x2 and 4x4 configuration and two specification grades powered by a 2.8-litre Cummins ISF turbo-diesel engine, with single-cab versions to follow next year.

Opening the Tunland range is the Quality 4x2 at $28,000 plus on-road costs, making it about $5000 cheaper than the equivalent SR Double-Cab 4x2 diesel version of Toyota’s top-selling HiLux ($32,990 plus ORCs), but at least $3000 more expensive than fellow Chinese workhorse, Great Wall’s V200 dual-cab 2.0 diesel ($24,990 drive-away).

While the cheapest Tunland undercuts entry-level versions of all the Thai-built Japanese-brand utes, it is also about $1000 pricier than SsangYong’s new Actyon Ute (Dual Cab Tradie 2.0 diesel: $26,990 drive-away) and Mahindra’s venerable Pik-Up (Dual Cab Ute 2.2 diesel: $26,999 drive-away).

The higher-spec Tunland 4x2 Luxury costs $28,500 plus ORCs, while Tunland 4x4 pricing starts at $34,500 for the Quality and $35,000 for the Luxury, which is at least $7000 less than Toyota’s base HiLux SR Double Cab diesel ($41,990 plus ORCs).

All Tunland dual-cabs come well-equipped, with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), twin front airbags and a limited-slip differential standard across the range.

However, unlike the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Volkswagen Amarok, Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan D40 Navara and selected versions of the HiLux and Mitsubishi Triton, the Tunland is not yet available with electronic traction/stability control or side airbags.

Therefore its will achieve a four-star ANCAP safety rating at best, falling short of the maximum five-star rating for most Ragers, BT-50s, Amaroks and Colorados, but matching the HiLux, Navara and triton, and bettering the two-star Great Wall utes.

Nor is an automatic transmission yet on offer for the Tunland (Foton says single-cab and six-speed auto versions will arrive here next year), with all models equipped with a Getrag manual gearbox, as well as Dana axles, Bosch electronics and, for 4x4 versions, a Borg Warner transfer case.

Other standard equipment includes air-conditioning, front and rear power windows, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD player with AUX and USB inputs, underbody protection, 16-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dipping rear-view mirror and rear parking sensors, while Luxury variants add premium items including leather seat trim and Bluetooth connectivity.

As we reported when we drove it in China in July this year, the Beijing-built five-seat Tunland twin-cab rides on a 3105mm wheelbase and features disc front and drum rear brakes, double-wishbone coil front suspension and a live leaf-sprung rear exle.

It measures 5310mm long, 1880mm wide and 1870mm high overall, making it 50mm longer, 45mm wider and 10mm higher than the HiLux dual-cab.It comes with a standard rear tray measuring 1520mm long, 1580mm wide and 440mm high. Towing capacity is 2500kg and will later be increased to 3300kg, while payload is 1000kg and rear seat legroom 620mm.

All Tunlands come with a 2.8-litre Cummins four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 120kW of power at 3600rpm and 360Nm of torque between 1800 and 3000rpm, and returns fuel consumption of 8.4L/100km. The Tunland is covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty.

Tunland was originally due to be launched here in May, but Gold Coast-based Foton Automotive Australia (FAA) – which secured the local distribution rights after Sydney importer WMC Group walked away due to pricing that it said would be uncompetitive in Australia - delayed its arrival to improve safety and performance.

Perth-based Chinese Automotive Distributors (CAD) had also expected to launch the ZX Auto GrandTiger in Australia by now, but similar delays will see the nation’s next Chinese-built commercial launch in West Australia first, before becoming available in eastern states by around April next year.

Australia’s pioneering Chinese brand Great Wall, imported by Sydney’s Ateco Automotive, has had its fair share of teething problems too – including launch delays and safety recalls – but has attracted a large slice of Australia’s lucrative light commercial vehicle market, including seven per cent of the 4x2 ute segment and 3.5 per cent of the 4x4 ute segment so far this year, for a 2012 total of more than 6500 sales.

FAA has more modest sales ambitions of just 500 examples of the P201 Tunland this year, expanding to 1500 in 2013, 4000 in 2014, 5400 in 2015, 8500 in 2016 and 10,500 in 2017.As part of its five-year sales plan revealed at the Tunland’s local launch at Broadbeach today, FAA will also release a 12-seat Foton people-mover and an SUV (based on the Tunland and codenamed U201) in 2014.

It expects 600 and 650 sales respectively in 2015, expanding to 1200 and 1800 in 2017, when FFA forecasts total annual sales of almost 17,000 sales – including its Aumark and Auman trucks.“The Tunland is a versatile vehicle that promises exceptional performance both on and off the road,” said FAA Distribution Development and Operations Manager Paul Vuko.

“It was designed for the western market and is built to cater for Australian work and recreational transport demands. Notably, the Tunland also successfully tackled Lesotho’s tortuous Bobbejaans Pass in South Africa earlier this year.” Watch this space for our first Australian drive of Tunland.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…