Foton, Chery Dealer Employees Receive Financial Aid from Distributor

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc., (UAAGI) the exclusive distributor of Foton and Chery vehicles in the Philippines has extended financial support to all of its dealers’ employees amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

“I’m concerned about how the business will work out after this pandemic. However, at this challenging time, I’m more concerned about the daily struggles of the members of my team,” shared UAAGI President Rommel Sytin.

To date, Foton has a total of 29 dealerships while Chery has 14 located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each employee from these dealerships received a cash aid from UAAGI amounting to P5,000 to support their family’s basic necessities.

“I know how difficult it is to wake up in the morning with the pressure to pay rent, utilities, buy groceries and meet other family expenses. I want to ensure that despite the loss of income, my whole team will still be able to survive the day,” Sytin added.

Since some of its dealer employees reside in areas where banks are closed, UAAGI has made the money-transfer procedure more convenient by partnering with one of the country’s most accessible non-banking financial institution, Cebuana Lhuillier. With close to 2,500 branches nationwide, Foton and Chery dealer employees were able to claim their financial assistance in an instant.

“This challenge reminds me that we’re all connected like never before. We’re all in this together, and by uniting to help protect the most vulnerable, we will be able to come back stronger,” said Sytin.

The business climate in this pandemic is still very much evolving, and the end to this crisis is still very uncertain. But despite the financial challenges, UAAGI continues to monitor the situation and to look at how they can help in an authentic and meaningful way, even beyond financial contributions.

Aside from providing free shuttle service vehicle to front liners, UAAGI has also donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Ospital ng Malabon, Tondo Medical Hospital, and hospitals in the City of Valenzuela. UAAGI also donated relief packs to areas in the province of Pampanga.

Foton PH is First Chinese Brand to Extend Payment Terms, Warranties, and PMS

Foton Philippines, the best-selling Chinese commercial vehicle brand in the Philippines is joining Japanese and American carmakers (yes, the Korean ones except for SsangYong have been mum) in extending auto loan due dates, expiring warranties, and adding grace periods to missed Periodic Maintenance Service due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Foton’s auto loan partners—BDO, BPI Family Savings Bank, China Bank Savings, EastWest Bank, Maybank, PSBank, UCPB, RCBC, and Security Bank have all agreed to extend auto loan due dates during the period of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. This should provide Foton owners more time to manage their household and personal expenses during this COVID-19 crisis. Details are sparse, but it’s understood that the payment term extensions vary from 30 to 90 days depending on the bank.

In addition, Foton is also extending expiring warranties and the offering grace period for due PMS until June 30, 2020—that’s a generous 78 day extension from the supposed end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

“In this difficult time, what we want for our customers is for them to worry less,” said Foton Philippines President Rommel Sytin. “We are continuously launching programs that would provide our valued clients an easy and convenient ownership experience.”

The Foton Customer Service hotline is open for any queries: +63 999 999 9998.

Foton Opens in Davao City

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the exclusive distributor of Foton vehicles in the country opened its 29th dealership, and its fourth in Mindanao.

Located in Panacan, Davao, it’s owned and operated by the Autohub Group, the same group that operates Foton GMA in Cavite.

The 3,000-square-meter full-service dealership and service center can display 6 Foton passenger vehicles. There is also a separate display area for Foton’s heavy-duty trucks that can accommodate 4 units. The service area has 6 dedicated bays for passenger vehicles, and 7 more for commercial trucks.

Foton expects vehicles such as the Gratour and Tornado light-duty trucks to do well in Davao thanks to its affordable pricing and uncompromising capability to handle the Davaoeños’s transportation requirements. In addition, the 13-to 16-seater TransVan and 19-seater Traveller will also service the city’s demand for vans.

“We know how significant businesses are in the Davao region, and we will keep on making ways to provide exceptional products to fulfill the needs of these enterprises. Aside from that, we also look forward to giving efficient aftersales services to our customers. It’s equally important as sales, and we believe that the Davaoeños deserve to be given quality assistance from start to finish,” says UAAGI President Rommel Sytin.

FOTON Philippines closed the year with a growth of 4 percent compared to 2018 sales figure.

Foton PH Ends 2019 Among Top 10 Selling Car Brands, Looks to An Even Stronger 2020

United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI) retained its position as one of the country’s top-selling car brands in 2019. This was revealed by President Rommel Sytin at their annual Dealers Appreciation Night.

Mr. Sytin revealed that in 2019, Foton sold an impressive 4,430 units over a 12-month period or a 4 percent growth compared to 2018. This is in tune with the growth of the rest of the automotive industry. According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines or CAMPI, total vehicle sales rose 3.5 percent vis-à-vis 2018 to 369,941 units.

Foton ended 2019 as the ninth best-selling brand among CAMPI members and tenth overall, says Sytin.

Commercial Vehicles or CVs drove majority of Foton’s growth in 2019. In particular, its Tornado M light-duty trucks proved to be successful not just because it offered a combination of technology and performance, but because it also responded well to the need of Filipino business owners.

“Many of the updates are in direct response to customer feedback, while we’ve introduced elements to provide an even comfortable and safe driving experience,” said Mr. Sytin.

Some of the notable features of the Tornado M include a Cummins Blue Energy Euro 4 engine, standard anti-lock braking system (ABS), a high-strength steel chassis, and a rivet-less upper-frame chassis making it easier to adopt various cargo body configurations.

Last year, Foton increased its Tornado M variants to three: the Tornado M2.6C, Tornado M4.2C, and the Tornado M5.2C. These are available in a wide array of body configurations including Dropside, F-Van, Ref Van, Crane Trucks, and MPV which can carry up to 25 passengers.

This year, Mr. Sytin says they are confident of achieving a double-digit growth which will be driven by the introduction of new models including a new van and a pickup truck. In addition, they are augmenting their production line to meet the growing requirement for the government’s PUV Modernization program.

Foton Philippines is Now ISO 9001 Certified

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) and FOTON Motor Philippines, Inc. (FMPI) ends 2019 on a high note by becoming an ISO 9001:2015 certified company.

Assessed by Integrated Assessment Services Ltd., the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certificate was officially awarded to UAAGI and FMPI President Rommel Sytin during the company’s year-end celebration last December 13, 2019.

“We are proud to say that our company has obtained an established and documented quality management system, training of people, and periodic assessment or audit, to ensure effectiveness, adequacy and relevance of the system in UAAGI and FMPI,” shared President Rommel Sytin.

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. started its operations in 2006. Since then, the company has been the sole and official distributor of Foton vehicles including passenger vehicles; light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks; and heavy machinery in the country.

A decade after its inauguration, it opened an 11-hectare assembly plant in the Clark, Pampanga—the first and the only automotive production facility in the Clark Freeport Zone.

From placing 12th on 2017, Foton leapt to 9th place in the Philippines’s top automotive brands last year.  It also finished 3rd in the light duty truck segment race.

“As one of the leading automotive brands in the Philippines, it is vital for us to meet the terms of all local and international regulatory requirements. UAAGI and FMPI’s efforts to improve its operations showcase our commitment to protect our employees, customers, contractors and service providers,” he added.

On November 2019, UAAGI officially announced its local distributorship of Chery, the largest passenger vehicle exporter in China.

“Continual improvement means there’s no end to the process. And I know that through my team’s hard work, we will be able to fulfill the requirements today and in the future. We will strive to identify current and future customer needs, to meet their requirements and to exceed their expectations,” Sytin closed.

Drive Home a Foton Thunder with Just P 88K

Thinking of a great Christmas present? Well, how about a brand-new ride as Foton Philippines brings an early year-end treat with the Fun Christmas Holideals Promo.

Running today until December 31, it offers low cash-out and low monthly amortizations for Foton’s best-selling passenger and commercial vehicles.

Suitable for either transport business or family applications, the 15-seater TransVan is made available for as low as P 78,000 downpayment , while the 16-seater Traveller and 19-seater Traveller XL vans are only at P 98,000 downpayment. If you’re looking for a more luxurious, there’s the Toano Executive van which also comes with a P 98,000 downpayment.

For first time car buyers, there’s the Gratour MiniVan, which is offered at a low monthly amortization of only P 5,800. That’s like owning a fully-capable 8 seater van for as low as P 194 per day!

If SUVs and pickup trucks are your thing, there’s the Cummins-powered Toplander and Thunder. Both offered with automatic transmissions, they can be driven home with a cash out of just P 78,000 and P 88,000 respectively.

Trucks best for micro, small, and medium enterprises are also up for grabs under Fun Christmas Holideals. The Gratour MT may be availed for as low as P 5,143 while the bigger and wider Gratour TM can be bought for as low as P 5,800 per month!

Apart from big savings, the all-in low down payment schemes come with FREE comprehensive insurance with acts of nature, chattel mortgage fee, a 3-year LTO registration plus accessories such as seat covers, matting, and tint.

So beat the holiday rush and drop by the nearest Foton dealership to revel in the Fun Christmas Holideals today!

DOTr Issues Certificate of Compliance to Foton's F-Jeepney

The Department of Transportation has granted Foton Motor Philippines, Inc. (FMPI) the Certificate of Compliance for the commercial vehicle brand’s entry to PUV Modernization Program: the F-Jeepney.

As per Philippine National Standards (PNS) 2126:2017, the Class 2 FOTON F-Jeepney F24 variant has passed the requirements with the impacting upgrades imposed for innovated comfort and security for its passengers.

In order to sustain safety, comfort, and environmental soundness, the F-Jeepney was designed with features in compliance with the national standards and international vehicle safety conventions through the addition of speed limiters, CCTV camera, GPS tracker, and dashboard camera.

Compared to the average jeepney, the F-Jeepney is equipped with stainless fixed bench type seats that can hold a capacity up to 24 passengers, 16 seating and 8 standing. The F-Jeepney is more spacious, providing maximized room for cargo and legroom. It has comparatively wider passenger doors, making ingress and egress a whole lot easier.

In terms of comfort and convenience, the F-Jeepney boasts of its fully air-conditioned interiors, comfortable seats, and tap card-based fare collection system. LED monitor and Wi-Fi connectivity are also activated for entertainment during commute.

Ensuring optimal power and performance, the F-Jeepney carries the world-renowned ISF 2.8-liter CRDi 4-cylinder engine paired to a 5-speed manual. This workhorse generates 116 horsepower at 3,200 rpm, and 260 Nm of torque from 1,300 to 3,200 rpm. The engine belongs to Foton’s Blue Energy Euro 4 line-up designed for cleaner, more powerful mobility.

Since 2018, FMPI has been actively showcasing the F-Jeepney in nationwide caravans, DOTr and LTO facilitated motor shows.  Last September, FMPI showcased the two latest variants of the F-Jeepney: F29 and F24, with their names both derived on the vehicle seating capacity at FOTON’s Big AtTRUCKtion.

The Foton F-Jeepney is now readily available nationwide through the brand’s growing network of dealers nationwide.

Foton Re-Opens in GMA Cavite

Further developing the sales and service experience of its customers in the Southern Tagalog region, Foton Philippines (FMPI) started the month of October with the grand re-launching of its GMA Cavite dealership. This facility is now managed by one of the leading players in the automotive industry, the Autohub Group of Companies.

Located in Gavino Maderan in General Mariano Alvarez, the newly-improved dealer facility is seated on a 4,500-square meter lot area housing a Heavy-Duty Truck center. It is fully equipped for sales, spare parts, and service operations in line with FMPI’s thrust of providing innovative transport solutions through passenger and commercial vehicles.

The introduction of the new FOTON GMA Cavite is a proactive response by FMPI to present its clients the option of having Foton vehicles, especially heavy-duty truck models, displayed, purchased, and serviced in one hub. Previously, Foton’s showrooms can only exhibit passenger vehicles and light duty trucks.

Foton GMA Cavite’s dedicated service facility also keeps in stock an inventory of parts and components, a move that would cut the possible downtime caused by delays in the delivery of required parts to customers.

Foton Philippines Looks to Innovation, Filipino-Centric Products to Drive Growth

Foton is a force to be reckoned with in the Philippine automotive industry. Now one of the top 10 best-selling brands in the country, the commercial vehicle specialist had a tough time when they started out 13 years ago.

Vice-Chairman Kenneth Sytin recalls:

“Thirteen years ago, my family introduced Foton to the Philippine market. Believe it or not, we roughly sold less than a hundred vehicles for the entire year. It was difficult. It made us think if we made the right decision to bring a relatively new name to a country and market that had been keeping the popular players in mind when it comes to vehicle purchasing.”

However, thanks to hard work and persistence, Foton grew continuously. Sytin continues:

“Starting off with just a single model of pick-up and one model of light-duty truck, Foton now has six product segments—the passenger vehicles, Gratour series, light-duty trucks medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and heavy machinery—each segment consisting of numerous model variants, totaling to about 70 or more.”

And they’re not stopping there. Vice-President for Marketing and Sales, Levy Santos says Foton Philippines is seeking to grow even more through innovation, and by entering new market segments.

“In any field or any industry that one may belong to, it is a common fact that technological innovations always play a major role for the success and advancement of a product, a brand, or a company.  We at Foton believe that each innovation, no matter how big or small, is equivalent to creating new opportunities to make our products and our services better. 

Built for the masses, it is a well-known fact that Foton’s trucks are robust and pretty much equivalent to being bulletproof and most importantly, affordable. With strong double-layer chassis and frames, responsive transmission with synchronizer, Cummins diesel engine, a wider stance, and larger brakes, these trucks have the muscle and axle capacity to hump highway hills and shoulder heavy loads without working up a sweat.”

In particular, Santos says the company is looking squarely at the government’s PUV Modernization Program. For this, Foton is offering its F-Jeepney which is available in two different seating configurations: the F24 (a 24-seater), and the F29 (a 29-seater). Regardless, these market offerings will be able to move a large number of people reliably, safely, and with care for the environment.

Naturally, embarking on nationwide events will also help drive brand awareness and sales. After the conclusion of its Metro Manila leg, the Foton Big AtTRUCKtion is embarking on a nationwide tour to reach out opportunity seekers in the provinces.

The North Luzon leg will be held on September 26-27, 2019 at San Fernando Town Plaza in La Union; Mindanao leg on October 9-10, 2019 at Kauswagan Highway in Cagayan De Oro, and Visayas leg on October 18-19, 2019 at SM City Cebu Event Center.

Foton Philippines is Slashing the Prices of Its MPVs and Trucks for 2 Days

Foton Philippines’s Big AtTRUCKtion is happening at the Megatent Events Venue in Libis, Quezon City starting tomorrow. The two-day event (September 12-13) brings the latest Foton vehicles, big or small, along with limited time discounts and promotions.

For example, those who’ll purchase straight cash during the two-day show are entitled to the following discounts:

• Gratour – P 25,000 discount
• TransVan – P 100,000 discount
• Traveller / Traveller XL – P 70,000 discount
• Toano – P 150,000 discount
• Tornado and Hurricane trucks – P 50,000 discount
• ETX-N and EST-M trucks – P 250,000 discount
• EST, ETX, GTL trucks – P 300,000 discount

For those looking for great financing deals, low downpayment and low monthly deals are also on offer during the show. On-site approvals are available.

In fact, guests who inquire and reserve a Foton under a three-party transaction will automatically be qualified to join the Pick-A-Prize promo where one could win an additional P 100,000 cash discount on top of existing promos.

Trade-in activities with on-site appraisal is also on offer.

Foton Philippines will also be displaying its latest offerings at the show from its line of passenger vehicles to its formidable line-up of trucks. Test drives will be made available.

Taking center stage is the brand’s own entry in the PUV Modernization program—the F-Jeepney. Two variants will be on display, the F24 and F29, with their names derived from their maximum passenger capacity.

“Foton’s Big AtTRUCKtion is a ‘a one-stop shop’ that features test drives, exclusive cash discounts, easy to avail financing schemes from partner banks, as well as PMS Service bundles to go with your unit purchase,” announced FMPI President Rommel Sytin. “It serves as a stage for us to showcase our newest line-up of Blue Energy Euro 4-powered vehicles and offer the most affordable deals to our growing number of customers.”

The Foton Big AtTRUCKtion is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on September 12-13, 2019. Admission is free.

If you miss this leg, the Foton Big AtTRUCKtion is heading also to North Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The North Luzon leg will be held on September 26-27 at San Fernando Town Plaza in La Union; Mindanao leg on October 9-10 at Kauswagan Highway in Cagayan De Oro; and Visayas leg on October 18-19 at SM City Cebu Event Center.

Ready to Jumpstart Your Business? Foton's Big AtTRUCKtion Can Help

Looking for a great way to jumpstart your business? Well, Foton Philippines’s Big AtTRUCKtion brings discounts, easy-to-avail financing, and PMS service bundles to help get you on your way.

Three years after Foton’s last Big Show, the leading commercial vehicle brand brings its entire line-up of passenger and commercial vehicles to the Megatent Events Venue in Libis, Quezon City this Thursday, September 12 to Friday, September 13, 2019.

During the two-day event, Foton Philippines is giving exclusive discounts and prizes, along with super low downpayment and low monthly amortization deals. Discounts as much as P 200,000 is available, while premium merchandise items will also be given away for free.

Visitors may also bring their old vehicles in for appraisal for trade-in offers and can even test drive Foton’s extensive line-up of commercial vehicles including the heavy-duty truck line.

Foton Philippines is Gilas Pilipinas' Official Vehicle Partner for FIBA 2019

Foton Philippines has long been a staunch supporter of Philippine sports, and has been fielding teams in the Philippine Super Liga (PSL), local triathlon, and student athletic programs to back its belief and confidence in the abilities of the Filipino athletes.

The development of local sports is also one of Foton Philippines’ advocacies. Thus, this legacy convinced its company president Rommel Sytin to continue giving out support by being the official vehicle partner in the upcoming 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

“We are excited for the participation of Gilas Pilipinas in the international scene. I know that they will show off their best efforts to let the world know that strength and sportsmanship is in the DNA of the Filipino athletes. I’m grateful that they trusted Foton to be part of the national team’s journey.” said Foton Philippines President Rommel Sytin.

Foton will provide the team two units of its best-selling van, the 16-seater Foton Traveller powered by Cummins. “The Traveller actually makes a great option for the members of Gilas Pilipinas because of its overall size, maximized space and extended legroom. Apart from the roomy interiors, the Traveller is also a perfect fit for the giants of the team for its augmented headroom and bubble roof,” added Sytin.

“Foton strongly believes in the capability and competence of our national team. Aligned with our brand’s marketing program for this year, we know that Gilas Pilipinas will be able to showcase the Filipino sports talent around the globe no matter how tough and long the challenges in and out of the court may get.”