Jonathan Hanson continues his great work on the Overland Tech and Travel section of Overland Expo. His recent newsletter included information about a Chinese pickup called the Foton Tunland that is a worthy competitor to any modern pickup/ute from Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi or GM.
The Tunland has a 2200 lb payload. The engine is a 2.8L Cummins four cylinder turbodiesel that produces about 265 ft lb of torque. Two door and four door (crew cab) versions of the Tunland are available, as are limited slip rear diff and 4x4.
The Tunland is definitely designed for export. It's on sale in South Africa and Australia right now. More information and photos can be found on the South African Tunland website http://www.tunland.co.za/
Here's a review by an Australian car magazinehttp://www.themotorreport.com.au/55429/2013-foton-tunland-4x4-dual-cab-luxury-launch-review
Tunland looks like a great first effort. Feedback from export customers will only help the Tunland improve. The safety and emissions control gear on the Tunland will keep it from sale in USA for now.
Foton, the manufacturer, is a subsidiary of China's giant BAIC corporation. Foton builds heavy trucks in a joint project with Daimler AG. The company also builds buses, tractors and agricultural machinery.
Read Jonathan's report here
http://www.overlandexpo.com/overlan...ns-powered-getrag-shifted-chinese-pickup.html