The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

China's Foton Begins First Commercial Vehicle Production in Africa


foton

BEIJING -- July 14, 2014: Foton East Africa Ltd. is pleased to announce the production of its VIEW CS2 vans, made in Foton’s manufacturing hub in Kenya, has begun. The press release was held at the KICC exhibition center in Nairobi to celebrate the launch of Foton’s VIEW CS2. In attendance at the press conference were senior Beijing government officials, The Kenyan Parliament Speaker, and CEO of Foton Motor Group’s, Jinyu Wang, who unveiled the new VIEW CS2 vans. Foton East Africa Ltd. is also pleased to announce that SPERO Africa Ltd. has ordered dozens of VIEW CS2 vans for use in Nairobi International Airport. Coincidentally, the Nairobi government has also signed an agreement with Foton to upgrade its current public transit system.

Globalization

In October 2013, Foton East Africa Ltd. (a subsidiary of Foton Motor Group) invested $30 million USD for the completion of phase one of its manufacturing hub in Nairobi. The manufacturing hub has an annual capacity of three-thousand vehicles. Foton East Africa Ltd. has the rights to sell Foton Motors’ entire line of vehicles, including, but not limited to, pickup trucks, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, passenger busses, industrial vehicles and other specialty vehicles.

China’s Top Automotive Brand

Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd., established on August 28, 1996, and headquartered in Beijing, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks, passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as passenger busses. Foton is the largest Chinese manufacturer of vans.

Global Technologies

Two strategic alliances have brought in new technologies to Foton’s line of vehicles. In 2008, Foton Motor Group, in collaboration with Cummins Inc., the world’s largest independent manufacturer of engines, established the Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., Ltd, which is currently the world’s largest manufacturer of light-duty diesel engines. The latest generation of engines, 2.8L and 3.8L, adhere to Euro IV light diesel emissions standards.

Beijing Foton Daimler Motor Co., Ltd., established in 2010, is engaged in the production of heavy-duty trucks, all of which meet or exceed Euro V emissions standards. Foton Daimler’s manufacturing facility, which is fully automated, has the capacity to produce 200,000 vehicles annually. Foton Daimler also has over 700,000 customers, 57 authorized global resellers and an expansive global distribution network.