Foton F-Jeepney, other modern PUVs presented to DOTr

AMONG the various vehicles displayed during the recent celebration of the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) 107th anniversary were the so-called Modern PUVs — models powered by Euro4 diesel engines or electric motors and which comply to new regulations set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards. Comprising the range of such vehicles shown were the Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 Modern PUVs, all of which said to have “impressed” Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials.

Cited in particular was the Foton F-Jeepney, which according to Centro Manufacturing vice-president Rommel Juan “stood out” from the other models displayed at the event.

Centro produced the rear passenger compartment of the F-Jeepney.

Juan noted transport officials present at the event included DOTr undersecretary Mark de Leon, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III and LTO chief Edgar Galvante, who all inspected the F-Jeepney’s interior.

Juan said the officials “pointed out the modern and upgraded amenities” of the vehicle. He cited as examples the F-Jeepney’s “spacious interior, high head room for standing passengers, high-tech gadgets and cool air-conditioning.”

The F-Jeepney is based on Foton’s Tornado 2.4C light-duty truck. It is powered by a 116hp, 260Nm, four-cylinder, turbocharged, CRDI Cummins diesel engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission.

“We support Foton in its drive to provide the best possible Modern PUV with their F-Jeepney model. We know that Foton, headed by Rommel Sytin, is aggressively setting its sight on getting a good share of the Modern PUV market. And with their professional team, capable dealership network and good quality products, we are sure that they will be successful,” Juan said.