SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Foton has always been about big and bulky automotives that are sweet deals when it comes to their features.

That is why it’s no surprise that it’s this Beijing-based company, whose Traveller and Toano models already have a following, was the first brand in the Philippines to roll out an electric truck. The Tornado 3.6 EV was unveiled at the 2023 Foton Big Show which took place last Feb. 10-12, 2023 at the World Trade Canter Metro Manila.

It was positioned right beside the Thunder 4×4, and hinges on the normal Tornado but instead of running on turbo-diesel power, it runs on battery electric power. The chassis’ sides are where the iBlue ET3’s 81 kWh dual LiFePO4 battery packs are located. The 540V architecture enables it to have an 80 hp to 154 hp peak boost including a 300 Nm peak torque. It’s top speed is 90 km/h.

When it is fully charged utilizing the international WLTP standards, the Tornado 3.6 EV can cover up to 208 kilometers. A fast DC charger can fill up the battery in as fast as 2 hours. It can go from 205 to full in 12 hours if you just use a portable AC wall outlet charger.

The dimensions of Foton’s new automotive are 5,960 mm (length), 1,950 mm (width), and 2,260 mm (height). It has a 3,360 mm wheelbase. The Tornado 3.6 EV is priced at PhP3.6M in cab as well as chassis form. A 5-year or 200,000-kilometer warranty is included when you purchase it.

Rommel Sytin, the Chairman of Foton Philippines, discussed the correlation of economy and environment: “Economic growth does not have to equate to greater damage to the environment. Let Foton’s Big Show 2023 be a bridge between the entrepreneurs and their logistic needs.” 

Levy Santos, the General Manager, was confident that the brand’s future will revolve around being a model for cost-efficiency, reliability, and safety concerning vehicles.

A special guest during the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who happens to be the author of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act or the EVIDA. “Congratulations again Foton for being a trailblazer in the electric vehicle technology especially for businesses,” said Gatchalian.

For those who registered online prior to attending this public event, they got to take home exclusive Foton merchandise such as jackets, umbrellas, flasks, arm sleeves, shirts, and caps.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Foton Philippines FB