Huh...introducing the Foton, the Chinese truck with....

"FalconHoon" (falconhoon)
11/10/2014 at 17:37 • Filed to: None

..a 2.8lt Cummins diesel engine, Borg Warner transfer case, Getrag Transmission, Dana diffs, from factory? All for 29,990 AUD brand new? (about 8000AUD cheaper then a Hilux)

It doesn't even look that bad

EDIT: edited for correction to prices and to add 2012MY ANCAP Crash test video

DISCUSSION (65)

My citroen won't start > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:38

I'd still buy a Hillux. Lemme see the interior on that thing.

FalconHoon > My citroen won't start
11/10/2014 at 17:38

Kinja'd!!!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:38

Are they genuine parts or just knock-offs of the actual parts?

My citroen won't start > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:39

I still don't trust it

FalconHoon > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/10/2014 at 17:39

Hahaha...not sure if serious lol

FalconHoon > My citroen won't start
11/10/2014 at 17:41

My Ex's old man had a Great Wall VX220. Hasn't done hime wrong in 3 years. They use a Mitsubishi engine and gearbox though.

TheHondaBro > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:42

Are you sure it's not a Chummins diesel engine?

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:43

Looks like they took the Ford ranger (international) to the copy machine and slapped on a butt crack grill. Also, Chinese...maybe one day but not this one.

FalconHoon > TheHondaBro
11/10/2014 at 17:43

Wow, is everyone here that prejudiced against Chinese cars? Without ever probably having seen one in real life before?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:43

100% serious?

Alex from Toronto > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:44

Is it safe?

FalconHoon > Alex from Toronto
11/10/2014 at 17:45

Well they sell it in Australia so it has to pass all the same Australian Design Rules as every other manufacturer.....

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:46

its not like they've given us a lot of confidence in other sectors.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:48

If it is like the other Chinese products I've seen it has all the safety features of a paper mache piñata.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheHondaBro
11/10/2014 at 17:49

No, it's the well known Cummings brand, from CL.

FalconHoon > HammerheadFistpunch
11/10/2014 at 17:49

If we are talking with stereotypes here the Ol' US doesn't have much to say about quality control.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:49

"Mitsubishi engine"

Trust me, the problems are a coming.

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 17:51

3 out of 5 stars ANCAP for 2012 MY

Tapas > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:53

The "Foton"? Decent looking in "fotographs", poor English - so what you'd expect from a Chinese manufacturer.

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:53

I'm talking from experience with all the people I know who have worked for companies that got burned by shipping production to China. They ALL ended up taking a huge bath and having to shift major US personal there to make sure that, from suppliers to line workers, things weren't shit. I don't know what your skin in the game is, but compared to the US...its not even a comparison. Chinese reliability isn't a word that's up for debate in my mind, its just not there. I have no doubt it will be there one day, but its not there now.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:55

Is that acceptable in AU?

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 17:55

Why.
My mum bought a new Lancer in 2000, it died this year, but only because I crashed it, after being given to my little brother, lent to me, and used as a communal car by my household for 6 months and only ever been marginally serviced. That was a 4G15, I know the great wall runs a 4G variant.

Then they bought an Outlander and a new Lancer, 2 years in no irregularities.

All anecdotal I know but Mitsubishi's just don't have the same stigma down here I guess.

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 17:56

Is that not acceptable wherever you are?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:57

I've had three cars with Mitsubishi engines. All three died horrible deaths despite light driving and regular maintenance. At this point you couldn't give me a car if it had a Mitsu engine in it. Even in Japan, thy don't have that good of a reputation.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 17:59

If it passes safety regulations, I'd drive one.

FalconHoon > HammerheadFistpunch
11/10/2014 at 17:59

Isn't Cummins an American company? What About Dana, Borg Warna?

No skin in it at all, just find the instant prejudice surprising to be honest. Chinese trucks have been selling in Australia for some time now. Haven't heard of any major recalls...

FalconHoon > BrownMiataDieselWagon
11/10/2014 at 17:59

3 out of 5 stars ANCAP?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:00

For me on a personal level, no. Even my Fiat has 8.5 out of 10. Not bad for a small car.I would expect more from a larger vehicle like that truck.

Boxer_4 > TheHondaBro
11/10/2014 at 18:01

Foton entered a joint venture with Cummins back in 2006.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:03

The price it's a little high for my taste(only because trucks are really cheap in Canada) but I would drive a chinese car no problem especially with a component list like that. If it was lets say 5K less I'd be all for it.

The Chinese are more than capable of making good stuff.

They just make the stuff at the price point you want them to make it and it's the corporations that are wanting junk made for as cheap as possible. If you give them a realistic budget to make a quality item they can do that to. Ever realise that most of your quality name brand items are also made in China?

Little known fact Canadian dollars and Australian dollars are damn near the same.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:03

3/5 stars is good enough for me!

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:03

Weird huh

Boxer_4 > HammerheadFistpunch
11/10/2014 at 18:04

Foton seems to be taking things seriously. The have joint ventures with both Cummins and Daimler. We'll have to see how it all plays out, however, it seems like they have a higher chance at being successful.

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:05

TBH it is missing side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control. Though I can't say I have ever owed a car with any airbags or even ABS so that doesn't bother me.

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:06

Ford is an american company too, but when they moved production of their mustang trans to China it ended up being a huge, transmission wrecking recall for them . If the components are made in the US or NAFTA countries and then the final assembly point is in China that's a different story. To be honest, DANA hasn't had the greatest of success lately either, they ran into quality troubles when they moved a lot of their production to Mexico. You know the Tacoma frame rust issue? Dana frames. At the end of the day it comes down to established supply chains, good management and good design not matter what country is doing the work. I'm not convinced that the Chinese domestic industry has any or all three down. The success stories in Chinese manufacturing are all a result of foreign (to china) heavy handed management that goes down to the supply chain coupled with Foreign (to China) design. Do I think they are up to the challenge? yes I do, after all Hyundai had similar problems and got it sorted out, but I don't think we've seen it yet.

HammerheadFistpunch > Boxer_4
11/10/2014 at 18:07

It would be interesting to see a serious competitor to China, It will happen and Foton could be the Toyota of my kids generation, who knows.

MultiplaOrgasms > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:07

Kinja'd!!!

Like the bastard son of a HiLux and 2nd gen Mercedes SLK.

FalconHoon > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/10/2014 at 18:10

Canada and Australia are damn near the same full stop. Developed nations who let companies use our resources like were developing. But that is neither here nor there.

Nice to see some positivism, I wasn't expecting everyone to love it but I wasn't expecting the INSTA-HATE it received lol

Don't even get me started on the price of trucks here. If I showed you what we pay for an F150 by the time they import and convert it... not sure if you would laugh or weep.

HammerheadFistpunch > Boxer_4
11/10/2014 at 18:10

its worth noting that to do automotive business in China you are required to form a joint venture with a domestic company.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:11

I like it.

TheHondaBro > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:11

Why does everyone get so sensitive at a little joke? THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE A MID-ENGINED CORVETTE!

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:12

One time, I could understand, it happens. Two...raises an eyebrow. Three times. certainly a sign of bad engineering. Especially since it was a recurring issue same as one and two. (oil sump!)

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:14

Three times I would start to say, Okay what the fuck am I doing wrong lol

But that is just me, the kind of guy who dislocates his shoulder throwing a lemon at the sky.... so.... probably not such an issue with you.

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:14

I remember seeing what a converted Tundra costs there....ouch. You get the 70 series cruisers and a 200 series GX though, so I have no sympathy.

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:15

LOL Yes, definitely the cars fault "Breaker of Things"

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:15

HEHE a base F150 2wd V6 is only $17999.00 here. I'm VERY opened minded when it comes to other cultures and I have no doubt the chinese can make a quality product.

The only reason we here that the stuff is crap is because we want it for dirt cheap but still expect a quality item. You get what you pay for.

A $0.50 cent can opener is not as good as a $10.00 can opener plain and simple.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:15

It was over a period of several years. The last one I didn't realize was a Mitsubishi design until after I had already purchased the car, so that was unexcusably my bad.

FalconHoon > HammerheadFistpunch
11/10/2014 at 18:18

Yeah, I do love the Japanese 4WDs, My girlfriend has a GQ Patrol and her brother a 100series Landcruiser (Which I'll be taking on a roadtrip this week, awesome).

What do you guys pay for a Raptor? http://www.carsales.com.au/nearnew/detail…

FalconHoon > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/10/2014 at 18:19

http://www.carsales.com.au/nearnew/detail…

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:20

Here. Mine was #1 on this list of shitty engines. http://www.wheels.ca/here-are-8-eng…

FalconHoon > TheHondaBro
11/10/2014 at 18:20

Because I have nothing else to do.... AND I'M SENSITIVE DAMMIT!

HammerheadFistpunch > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:21

Yeah, about 50 grand USD. Love the GQ patrol. BTW, totally addicted to Australian youtube channels, enjoying some all4adventure clips right now.

Cé hé sin > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:21

....up to 245,000 km at this point and still going!

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:24

Yeah.... I totally forgot about their 6 cylinders...

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:26

Raptor here is ~$55,000. Too expensive for me but a smoking good deal compared to you guys.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:28

Me too. At the time I thought that they only supplied the 4cyl engines to Chrysler. it was an unholy alliance.

Cé hé sin > HammerheadFistpunch
11/10/2014 at 18:29

Apple have been doing this for years and you don't hear complaints. About the products that is. The conditions of those actually making them are another matter.

Alex from Toronto > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:29

I watched the crash vid.

I'd buy one.

HammerheadFistpunch > Cé hé sin
11/10/2014 at 18:36

See the rest of the replies in this thread.

FalconHoon > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/10/2014 at 18:37

We don't get many Chryslers in Australia anymore. We only get the 300 and Grand Voyager, and they sell about 10 times as many 300 as Voyagers.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 18:49

If the Voyage isn't using that particular engine, it's supposed to be a pretty reliable van. I can't speak for the 300, but I do see them all over the place, so i guess they're okay.

ranwhenparked > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/10/2014 at 20:20

They're genuine components made in China by those companies' Chinese joint ventures.

ranwhenparked > FalconHoon
11/10/2014 at 20:26

Foton is a division of Beijing Automotive Industry Corp that does buses and light trucks. BAIC isn't one of China's Big Four, but they're in the next tier down and are still quite large and well-financed. In other words, they can certainly afford to do things right if they want to. Using lots of name brand, off-the-shelf components from recognized suppliers is certainly a good way to get around whatever negative attitudes people might have regarding Chinese products.

FalconHoon > ranwhenparked
11/10/2014 at 20:38

I like it.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/11/2014 at 05:54

weird , my 2004 lancer with 4G94 just clocked up 543,000km. only out another engine in it 30,000km ago due to oil consumption issues