Foton Tunland Locks In ADR Compliance Ahead Of Late 2012 Launch

China's Foton has taken a major step towards the local launch of its Tunland pickup this week, with news that the necessary Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance has been secured.

While a second-quarter launch for the Tunland was expected, Peter Llewelyn, Chairman of Foton distributor FAA Automotive Australia, said that ADR compliance came later than expected.

“Now that the Tunland has achieved ADR compliance, we [Foton and FAA] can continue planning for the arrival of the first shipment of Tunlands, which will go on sale in Australia in the final quarter of this year,” Mr Llewellyn says.

“This includes establishing Foton’s National Dealership Network and finalising the initial 15 Foton dealerships expected to be established at the time of launching the Tunland in Australia,” he says.

FAA says that preparation for the Tunland's launch will include rigorous on- and off-road testing to ensure the pickup meets the requirements of Australia's unique conditions.

“We want to give Australian consumers confidence that the Tunland is built for Australia’s tough off-road conditions, with proven high-performance 4x4 ability in those conditions," Llewellyn said.

Llewellyn pointed to the Tunland's recent successful trek through the Bobbejaans Pass in Southern Africa's Kingdom of Lesotho as an example of its fortitude.