Rising vehicle running costs have become one of the most persistent pressures on South African farm budgets, and that everyday stake sat at the centre of a recent conference where BAIC Foton introduced a new range of vehicles to the agricultural market. The aim: ease on-farm operational, transport, and input logistics costs for producers across the country.
The event, covered by Farmer’s Weekly SA (https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/baic-foton-introduces-new-vehicles-to-the-agricultural-market/), also finalised several strategic cross-border agreements, contracts, and delivery ceremonies intended to accelerate the BAIC Group’s growth and distribution network across sub-Saharan Africa.
Before the formal proceedings, media and regional visitors toured the BAIC South Africa vehicle assembly plant in the Coega Special Economic Zone near Gqeberha. The facility is systematically introducing significant commercial vehicle assembly capacity through the group’s Foton subsidiary, positioning itself to support the logistical backbone of the agriculture sector.
The plant, an R11 billion joint venture between China’s BAIC (65% stake) and South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (35%), has moved past its early sluggish phase. Since full assembly line integration in January 2024, it has steadily increased local parts-sourcing capabilities, tracking towards the South African Automotive Master Plan to 2035 target of 60% local component sourcing. The covered 88 969m2 infrastructure houses a dedicated body shop, press shop, paint shop, and a final assembly line.
In his opening address, Ben Fouche, BAIC South Africa deputy director of general management, outlined the facility’s expanded cross-border mandate. “This facility is no longer just a localised point of assembly; it is actively being positioned as the primary manufacturing gateway to the rest of the African continent for right-hand drive vehicles,” he said. Fouche emphasised that the co-manufacturing strategy with Foton would make the plant viable in the long term and protect local jobs, noting that South African citizens comprise more than 90% of the active production floor staff. “We’re building where we sell, and we’re building for the future of African transport and agriculture,” he added.
For producers, the most immediate relevance lies in pricing. By leveraging assembly line efficiencies at the Gqeberha plant, Foton aims to deliver comparable payload, power, and tech specifications in premium double-cabs and specialised light trucks at a significantly lower purchase price than long-established competitors. The standard diesel mild-hybrid Tunland V9 double-cab tops out at R799 900, undercutting similarly sized premium rivals by hundreds of rands. Official pricing for the Tunland V9 PHEV will only be announced later, but Foton management confirms it will maintain this competitive value structure.
Gary van der Berg, Foton Motor South Africa’s manager for light commercial vehicles, highlighted how this cost focus helps primary producers. “The Tunland V9 PHEV is engineered to provide crucial benefits to the South African user. The bakkie can be used equally as an everyday all-rounder, an outdoor vehicle, and a heavy-duty farm vehicle,” he noted. “By bringing this advanced, high-torque technology to market at a highly competitive purchase price, we’re ensuring the transition to low-emission, fuel-cautious operations doesn’t penalise the farmer’s bottom line. We’re offering premium utility and substantial input cost relief without the traditional brand mark-up.”
The Tunland V9 PHEV is scheduled for local commercial rollout in early 2027. Its mechanical configuration pairs a 2ℓ, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with high-output front and rear electric motors, a 32,8kWh battery pack, and a specialised four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, delivering a combined 350kW and 800Nm of torque. A four-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled front and rear differential locks enhances traction and off-road capability.
The fuel-efficiency parameters carry the primary benefit for agribusinesses. Foton claims that when operating with a fully charged battery under optimal conditions, the combined average fuel consumption is 2ℓ/100 km. A pure electric driving range of up to 110km allows routine daily tasks, such as checking boundary fences or water points, or completing short supply runs, to be executed entirely on battery power. The battery pack replenishes from 30% to 80% capacity in 30 minutes via a DC fast charger, or fully charges overnight at the farmstead. For long-range transport or livestock marketing trips, the internal combustion engine extends the total combined driving range to 1 000km. Even in charge-sustaining mode, the hybrid architecture improves overall fuel efficiency by more than 30% compared with traditional ICEs in the same weight class. Crucially for remote field work, the V9 features a vehicle-to-load 220V external power supply, capable of powering tools, welding equipment, or fencing apparel directly in the veld without a standalone generator. The bakkie retains a 3,5t braked towing capacity, a 250mm ground clearance, and an 800mm water-wading depth.
Meanwhile, the range also serves diversified farm operations that do not require full-scale heavy trucks. The Foton Miler and Miler Lite sit between standard high-clearance bakkies and medium-duty freight hauliers, addressing the need to transport intermediate payloads of inputs, equipment, or small-stock without excessive operating overheads. The Miler Lite can be operated on public roads by anyone with a Code 8 driver’s licence while maintaining a 1,64t payload capacity; the standard Miler scales up to a 2,18t load rating. Both use a 2ℓ turbo-diesel engine producing 92kW and 320Nm through a five-speed manual gearbox, and the line is offered in chassis cab, dropside, box body, and refrigerated configurations essential for cold-chain fruit or dairy distribution.
For everyday duties within farm boundaries, the compact Foton Truckmate serves as a dedicated farm utility asset, moving fencing poles, veterinary supplies, or picking crates across rough tracks. Its 1,5ℓ petrol engine delivers 82kW and 142Nm, and a reinforced leaf spring rear suspension carries a 1,2t load in its wide-access dropside variation. It benefits from the plant’s standardised safety tooling, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, and electric power steering.
The expansion extends into heavy commercial vehicles too, with preparation under way for local assembly of Foton Galaxus heavy-duty trucks, focusing on the C5 and R5 models unveiled at the conference. The right-hand drive Galaxus 6×4 tractor truck features a gross combination mass rating of 55t, powered by a Yuchai diesel engine paired with a Wanliyang 12-speed transmission and dual fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 760ℓ, positioned directly for high-volume bulk agricultural logistics from inland silos to coastal ports.