Going Big Time

MANILA, Philippines - Driven by Vision—these words sum up Foton’s stratospheric rise in the Philippine market. In just a few short years, Foton grew from being a relatively unknown (and untested) Chinese vehicle manufacturer to one of the country’s preferred brands of commercial vehicles. With an expansive line-up covering pick-ups, vans, trucks, and heavy equipment, Foton is an all-encompassing brand for all business needs. Now, Foton is venturing into a new territory: the upscale van market and they’re doing so with the new View Traveller.

Previewed last week with a leisurely ride-and-drive activity from Ortigas Home Depot in Pasig to Splendido Tagaytay, the View Traveller is designed to be more luxurious and spacious than the current View. It’s a perfect fit in the Foton van line-up: whereas the View is aimed squarely for business use such as UV Express, the View Traveller is more for leisure use such as out-of-town family getaways and excursions as well as shuttles for upscale establishments like luxury hotels and resorts.

The 14-seater View Traveller is the largest van in its class with an overall length of 5,380 mm, overall width of 1,920 mm, and overall height of 2,285 mm. This easily makes it larger than any of its competitors (especially in width). Outside, the View Traveller features a streamlined shape that’s elegant and modern while giving an aerodynamic shape. The View Traveller features large halogen headlights and chrome plating on the grille and door handles. Further enhancing the looks are 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/80R15 tires.

Propelling the View Traveller is the segment’s most powerful engine: a Cummins ISF 2.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with Bosch common-rail direct-injection (CRDi) and turbocharger technology. With 130hp and 280Nm of torque, the View Traveller has a commendable top speed of 145 km/h while returning up to 13.55 km/L. And thanks to a 70-liter fuel tank, it can go further between fuel stops. Since it’s a Cummins ISF engine, top-notch reliability and durability are a given with longer oil change intervals and a 500,000-km interval between overhauls. All in all, it cuts down running and maintenance costs by 33 percent. This engine is mated solely to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Enhancing the View Traveller’s on-road handling is its wide track, long 3,110 mm wheelbase and newly developed suspension featuring Double Wishbones with trailing arms in front and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the back. With 170 mm of ground clearance, the View Traveller has the ability to tackle rough terrain such as provincial roads. In fact, Foton Philippines proved the reliability, efficiency, and comfort of the View Traveller after a 1,600-km tour around Luzon.

Sporting the largest body and longest wheelbase in its class, the View Traveller guarantees a wide and spacious interior. The interior volume is around 7 cubic meters, making it eight percent larger than any of its competition. It features sedan-like seating with individual headrests and reclining seatbacks for everyone. Further enhancing comfort are the View Traveller’s convenience features: power windows, door locks, and mirrors, a CD/MP3/USB 4-speaker stereo system, and keyless entry.

And keeping occupants safe, the View Traveller has three-point seatbelts for all occupants, dual SRS airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and 4-point rear parking sensors all as standard equipment. In the event of a crash, it’s designed with a collapsible steering column and an ultra-high-strength steel body with crash bars on the front fender and side doors for optimal protection.

The Foton View Traveller is available in two colors: silver and white and will be priced “very competitively.” Though the final price is yet to be announced, it’s said to be less than P1,400,000. The final details will be revealed during its official launch at the upcoming Foton Big Show at the World Trade Center.

In addition, the Foton Big Show will feature the brand’s complete line-up of passenger vehicles, light and heavy duty trucks as well as heavy equipment and construction machinery which will fill up the 7,246 square-meter exhibition space. During the Foton Big Show, there will be attractive trade-in options as well as on-site financing for customers. Finally, Foton will hold its first-ever heavy machinery exhibit that features specially-modified wheel loaders that can dance and jump.

“We are proud to showcase once more to the Filipino people what we believe are the best commercial vehicle solutions available in the market today,” says Rommel Sytin, President of Foton Motor Philippines. He adds, “The Foton Big Show is now on its third year and it just keeps getting better as the public learns to appreciate the strength, features and practicality of the Foton brand.”

The Foton Big Show 2013 is slated to run from October 25-27, 2013 at The World Trade Center in Pasay City. Entrance is free. For more information, log on to www.foton.com.ph or call (02) 459-2121 in Metro Manila, or (63) 999-999-9998 for toll-free provincial calls.