since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
FOTON, one of China’s leading commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturers, is certainly on an aggressive global expansion phase, much like the scenario in the automotive sector. As it were, Foton is already acclaimed as the top CV exporter in China for the last 13 years, having gained a presence in 130 countries and regions.
Its current global network sees 1000 distribution network outside China, 1200 service outlets and 22 KD (knockdown) factories with 10 more being planned or under construction. Its accumulated sales volume was 10 million in 2022 and this was increased by another million the following year. This strong sales momentum is said to continue into 2024.
In adding to this impressive network, Foton set up a regional manufacturing hub in Thailand that would cater to the Asia-Pacific region. The factory in the Nakhon Prawet province near Bangkok is a joint venture with the Charoen Pokphand Group that was established in 2019. It entailed an investment of US$60 million.
It was inaugurated recently during the Foton Asia Pacific Partners Conference 2025 with the roll-out of its one millionth overseas (export) vehicle, the Auman R. This heavy-duty truck is now available with a low-CO2 Cummins Euro V engine and would be made available in Malaysia shortly via Angka-Tan Motor Sdn Bhd, the appointed distributor for Foton heavy and light duty trucks.
The factory spans 37,000 square metres and the target is to achieve 40-per cent local content procurement progressively. Apart from the Cummins engines, Foton vehicles use ZF transmission; there are also other companies involved in these two areas. And for its venture to new energy vehicles that include electric vehicles (EVs), there are tie-ups with CATL and other Chinese companies for the axle and electric drive axle.
Hailed as the first Chinese truck factory in Thailand, this facility would produce the full range of Foton commercial vehicles – heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, small trucks and buses. And under Thailand’s green and electrification goals, Foton says it would also produce a ‘comprehensive’ range of new energy commercial vehicles to cater to the growing needs of the region.
Foton expresses confidence of greater acceptance of new energy commercial vehicles and expects to sell some 100,000 NEVs in 2025. This is based on the fact that 447,000 commercial NEVs were sold in China in 2023 and the numbers continue to grow in 2024.
Foton’s celebration of its one-millionth overseas truck milestone represented the 20-year evolution of its global expansion. For a commercial vehicle maker that started off in China in 1996, Foton certainly made great strides over the years. Its focus on Asia Pacific is based on the huge sales volume potential of the countries in this region. It is also actively expanding in another strong base in Latin America and Africa.
Foton’s truck entry to the Malaysian market was in 2011 when Angka-Tan Motor launched the Aumark light-duty truck and Auman heavy-duty range. Following a slow start, the market gained confidence progressively in Chinese-made commercial vehicles based on what they could deliver in reliable performance and good fuel economy at a very competitive price.
In 2024, as of October, Foton enjoys almost a 30-per cent market share in the prime mover market with sales of 450 trucks for the first 10 months against 163 for the same period in 2023. This is an increase of 176 per cent that reflects the confidence in Foton among the companies in the logistics sector involving heavy transportation of items.
Although, its Aumark light truck has a smaller market share, it found good support from companies like 99 Speedmart and Gardenia. According to Angka-Tan Motor, their combined sales volume – Auman and Aumark – has made Foton the top Chinese commercial vehicle brand in Malaysia. Its wide and strong service network as well as good spare-parts inventory also contributed to Foton’s growth here.
In May, Angka-Tan Motor ventured into the NEV sector by launching the eAumark light-duty truck. Response was said to be encouraging. Unlike the Aumark with internal combustion engine (ICE), which is locally assembled, the eAumark is imported. Likewise, the Auman prime mover, which would now be brought in from Thailand with the new factory getting off the ground.
The confidence in Foton is not just on its products but also the efforts it puts into providing a strong service and spare-parts infrastructure. This was clearly emphasised during the Asia Pacific Partners Conference 2025 in which plans to expand and establish that further with the respective country partners were outlined.
The highlight of the conference for us was the opportunity to drive or ride in a few commercial EVs the following day. We chose the eToanaPro van and eMiler box truck for the drive experience and the eAuman for the ride. Actually, we were looking forward to driving the eTunland pickup but it was withdrawn for some reason.
The company given the Foton van and small truck franchise is Handal BCM. Director Donald Choo said there were plans to introduce the eMiler small truck and eTunland pickup to the Malaysian market in the second half of 2025.
At least, we had to go in one of them. Like all the EVs we have driven, the commercial vehicle versions are no different. You just select Drive and off you go. No power output was given for the electric motor in the eMiler but the torque was strong enough for a quick and smooth getaway. It has ABS stopping power and it took to the meandering course, set up with cones, well at normal speeds. It must be noted that it is a commercial vehicle and is not meant to be driven with gungho like passenger EVs through the ‘corners’.
There was a noticeable hum as we drove along. We were told this hum, which is somewhat like a whirring sound, is to alert pedestrians that a commercial EV was approaching. The sound was supposed to taper off above 30km/h but along the short stretches where we were above that speed, the sound didn’t go off.
Our drive in the eToanaPro van was just as enjoyable. This vehicle felt more like a passenger EV. Again, the power output of the electric motor was not given but like the eMiler, acceleration was seamless and quick; the ABS worked well and it took to the ‘bends’ rather well at good speeds. Apparently, there are no righthand drive versions yet so we won’t see them in Malaysia for now.
The ride in the eAuman was similar in that we enjoyed smooth and effortless acceleration for a huge vehicle due to the strong electric power. Here too, no power output was given for the electric motor powering the prime mover but we believe it could be as good as that for the Auman R Euro V that has engines with output ranging from 316kW (430hp) and 2200Nm to 411kW (560hp) and 2600Nm.
The thing is the driver do not have a wide selection of gears to play with – up to 16 gears in Auman ICE – to get the best engine power for the traffic and road condition. He just have to select ‘Drive’ and could proceed without further transmission operation. The eAuman makes his job a lot easier and simpler so that he could focus on driving safely.
Angka-Tan foresees introducing the eAuman in Malaysia as part of its future plans. If the huge battery located behind the driver’s cabin could provide a decent range or mileage to make long distance logistics transport feasible, it should gather good response.
