FOTON appoints Inchcape as distributor in Australia
Inchcape continues to expand its distribution footprint in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, adding FOTON to its existing presence in Australia.
Inchcape, the leading global automotive distributor, has been appointed the Australian distributor for FOTON, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Commencing in Q4, 2024, Inchcape will bring to the Australian market a range of FOTON new energy and internal combustion engine utes and vans, and internal combustion engine trucks.
Initially, Inchcape will focus on growing the presence of FOTON’s light-duty trucks and re-launch the brand’s new generation utes into one of the most popular new vehicle segments in the Australian market. Expanding the brand’s light commercial vehicle offering, vans will be introduced to the local range within the following year, and excitingly, the product pipeline for the Australian market also includes electrified FOTON utes and vans.
This partnership will leverage the strengths of both parties, including Inchcape’s well-established distribution experience, comprehensive local market insights, and advanced digital capabilities in delivering exceptional customer experiences, and FOTON’s commercial vehicle manufacturing expertise across fuel and new energy solutions, initiatives in technology innovation, and joint ventures with highly respected brands including Cummins, a global leader in high-performance diesel engines; ZF, a global leader in transmission and chassis technology; and Daimler, a global leader in manufacturing standards and partner in the design and manufacturing of the flagship FOTON Auman truck.
Ruslan Kinebas, CEO, Inchcape APAC, said: “Today’s announcement builds upon the momentum of the strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and distributorships won by Inchcape across the Asia-Pacific region throughout the past year, further demonstrating Inchcape’s commitment to its Accelerate strategy. As Inchcape continues to grow its global distribution footprint as the undisputed number one distribution partner of choice, I am looking forward to welcoming our new distribution partner, FOTON, in Australia.”
Colin Christie, Managing Director, Inchcape Australasia, said: “The addition of the FOTON distributorship enables Inchcape to diversify its local distribution portfolio by entering entirely new segments of the Australian market, including utes and light-duty trucks, and further strengthen our presence in the light commercial vehicle segment with FOTON’s vans also forming part of the local product pipeline.”
Damon Xu, VP, Foton International, said: “With a shared commitment to delivering value for our customers as we bring more high-quality products and services to Australian consumers, FOTON’s partnership with Inchcape, a global leader in distribution, will strengthen our presence in the local market. As we partner with Inchcape to enhance the brand in Australia, a core market in FOTON’s global strategy, we will continue to deliver on our expertise in quality-driven development and technological innovation, which has earned FOTON a leadership position, particularly in trucks, across the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.”