Foton announces big plans and big show

“Foton’s Big Show 2014 is the perfect venue for those intending to find the right truck, van or utility vehicle for the Filipino businessmen.”

MANILA, Philippines–United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), the exclusive distributor of Foton vehicles in the Philippines, will once again showcase the Foton Big Show on Oct. 17 to 19, 2014 at the World Trade Center. Foton, the country’s biggest Chinese-made automotive brand, has been making inroads in the local automotive market since 2006 by catering to retail and institutional accounts both private and public. Aside from private companies, we can see a growing number of Foton pickup trucks and vans being used as local government ambulances, police patrol units and even public utility vans on today’s roads.

Its continued growing market presence can also be felt in major car shows like the Manila International Auto Show 2014, where it had a massive pavilion display in the main hall of World Trade Center as well as an auxiliary display at the East Wing annex building of the country’s biggest motoring event. Foton is also making a mark by holding its fourth single-brand show. Dubbed as the Foton Big Show, the event started off as a “Palitan Fest” back in 2010.

The Tagalog word “palitan” means “exchange,” which promoted generous price valuations for trade-in units in exchange for brand-new Foton vehicles. Now on its fourth year, the event has since evolved into what is now known as the Foton Big Show, an annual and exclusive showcase of Foton’s full vehicle lineup ranging from passenger vehicles, light- and heavy-duty trucks and heavy machineries.

Like in previous shows, Foton’s Big Show will feature test drives, special discounts, freebies, easy to avail financing schemes from partner banks, as well as PMS (preventive maintenance service) bundles to go with the unit purchase. According to Foton Philippines’s VP for marketing Anna Parado, “Foton has been widely accepted in major banks, leasing institutions and insurance companies, and these will be represented at the event to offer the convenience of submitting applications onsite.”

Robot dance number

Foton will also showcase once again the “Dancing Wheel Loader Show,” with highly skilled stunt drivers flown to the country from China. Each performance lasts about a few minutes and these drivers will make these machines do dance routines that include two-wheel stunts and spectacular dance maneuvers.

“Foton’s Big Show 2014 is the perfect venue for those intending to find the right truck, van or utility vehicle for the Filipino businessmen,” said UAAGI president Rommel Sytin. He added, “We will again showcase the latest technologies and innovations from Foton, including our major engine partner, Cummins, as it powers more of the Foton vehicles, which will be launched during the opening of the event.”

UAAGI’s biggest expansion will be the soon-to-open 12-hectare manufacturing facility in Clark, Pampanga, to cater to both the growing domestic market as well as potentially exporting Foton vehicles assembled in the Philippines throughout the Southeast Asian region. According to UAAGI, it will commence its operation by 2015, initially assembling its most popular models of trucks. With its own manufacturing hub, Foton Philippines will be able to manage its stock-keeping inventory and assure continuous availability of units.

Foton has one of the most diversified lineups of commercial vehicles ranging from its passenger vehicles, pickups and vans to light- and heavy-duty trucks, and heavy machineries. It currently has 22 dealerships all over the Philippines, the biggest dealer network for a Chinese automotive brand.

‘One-stop shop’ event

With its theme of “Empower Your Business,” the event offers a “one-stop shop” venue to allow buyers the convenience of shopping for the best financing and leasing deals in the ten institutions that have partnered with UAAGI and Foton. The new models being launched this year will include six new commercial vehicles including three vehicles powered by Cummins engines, which is considered a world leader for diesel engine technology.

Aside from its engine partnership agreement with Cummins, Foton vehicles are developed in cooperation with global brands and key technical partners such as Bosch, Lotus, Motorola and Daimler, making it the world’s largest manufacturer of business vehicles.

Through the years, Foton has built up one of the most extensive lineup of commercial vehicles in the market today. Their passenger vehicles include the Cummins-powered Thunder pickup truck and the View Traveller van. Its Tornado Series offers a very versatile platform for light-duty trucks; and for heavy-duty trucks, the ETX Series have become a popular choice for hauling and construction.

Registration and entrance to the show is free and visitors to the show can also preregister by logging on to www.foton.com.ph or by e-mailing inq@foton.com. To know more about Foton, visit any of its 22 dealerships nationwide or call (02) tel. 4592121 or 0999-9999998.