Foton Tunland gives  rivals run for their money

FOTON TUNLANDTinashe Makichi Motoring
Zimbabwe’s vehicle assembler, Quest Motors is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the local vehicle industry evidenced by the vehicle brands that it has been channelling into the local market since 2012.

After securing multi-million dollar contracts to assemble and supply a wide-range of vehicles to Government and private players, the company has started giving more established brands in the market a run for their money.

Among the vehicles currently making an impact on the local market is the Foton Tunland which is powered by a Cummins ISF 2,8 litre turbo cooled diesel engine.

Foton Tunland is fast becoming synonymous with most Government departments and parastatals because of its well built structure fit for all environments even the most hostile terrains.

Of late the military has been the biggest buyer of the vehicle and that alone sums up its endurance.

Competing in the cut-throat double-cab market has been a tough going of late especially for purveyors of lesser known models such as the Foton Tunland.

Despite the presence of established brands, Quest has managed to make its presence felt on the local market.

Quest Motors national sales manager Mr Theo Diaskouris told this publication yesterday that the company has received several orders of Tunland and Government has been the biggest customer.

He said the first batch of Tunland manufactured at the Mutare plant has been sold while the second batch would be available on the market on July 15 this year.

“Since the launch of the vehicle we successfully managed to sell the first batch and the new batch will be available this month and is currently being manufactured at the Mutare plant.

“A total of 70 percent of the second batch has been taken up already so with such a response from the market the Tunland is going to give rival brands in the market a run for their money,” said Mr Diaskouris.

The Tunland 4×2 is not quite as polished as its mainstream rivals but it does prove that Quest Motors is catching up fast with current market trends.

While the interior style of the vehicle is nondescript at best, it is impressively spacious and there’s plenty of room for rear passengers to stretch their legs in the back — which counts for a lot in this segment.

Foton is one of the largest trucks on the market, measuring 5.31 metres long, 1,88m wide and 1,87m tall, and it has a longer-than-average 3,10m wheelbase.

As such, occupant space is impressive, too, with enough room for a six-foot-tall (1,82m) driver and rear passenger.

Back seat head-space is excellent while the bench seat means those in the rear will have their knees up; there’s enough room to do so.

The vehicle is an almost as good bakkie with a much lower price tag and that makes it a worthy contender in a mud pit that’s increasingly expensive to enter.

Turnland has enough 4X4 system that enables it to navigate through muddy surfaces without swerving and its braking system work effectively.

A warning alarm sounds that goes off when the driver is not wearing is one of the features that keeps it in line with current trends in the market while its doors lock automatically at speeds above 15km/h.

Tunland indicators have a one touch function for lane changing and a light touch to the left or right causes the indicators to flash twice and switch off automatically.

While having a comprehensive look at the vehicle the writer was surprised that the indicator stalk is on the left hand side of the steering wheel, which is not good for a right hand drive manual vehicle.

High mounted brake light alerts rise above all to alert drivers behind of any braking while headlight units coupled with the fog lights do a good job of lighting the road edge and ahead at night.

On safety Tunland boasts EBD, ABS and airbags for driver and front passenger.

It however does not have side or curtain air bags like some double cabs at the top end.

The Foton Tunland has a towing capacity of 2,5 tonnes , and the vehicle also delivers an unrivalled on and off the road performance.

Tunland not only boasts one of the most spacious interiors available in a one tonne pick up, but also has a load box which makes other vehicles in its green with envy.

As a parting note, Quest Motors should be commended for its efforts to keep the country’s vehicle manufacturing industry alive at a time when Willowvale Mazda Motor Industry is facing viability challenges.

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