…..Honours Japan Motors, others with 2026 Leap Forward Progress Award for commitment to Foton Brand’s growth.
Foton Motor has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating its growth and strengthening its footprint across Africa following the successful hosting of its 2026 Africa Regional Partner Conference in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Held on 29 October under the theme "Drive to Great," the conference brought together nearly 700 participants, including Chinese and African political and business representatives, senior management of BAIC Group and Foton Motor, distributors, key account customers, industrial partners and media representatives from 42 African countries.
The high-level gathering, hosted at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, provided a strategic platform for Foton to outline its African growth ambitions, showcase new vehicle models, highlight progress in local manufacturing and deepen collaboration with its partners across the continent.
Japan Motors honoured with Foton Africa 2026 Leap Forward Progress Award
A major highlight of the conference was the recognition of outstanding African partners for their contributions to business growth, key account development, new energy promotion, after-sales service and distributor partnerships.
Among the award recipients was Ghana's Japan Motors Trading Company Ltd., which received the prestigious Foton Africa 2026 Leap Forward Progress Award as an outstanding Foton partner representing a significant achievement and a commitment to the Foton brand's growth in Ghana.
The Executive Director of Japan Motors, Mr. Nouhad Kalmoni, who was present at the event, received the award on behalf of the company. He expressed appreciation to Foton Motor for the recognition and reaffirmed Japan Motors' commitment to strengthening the brand's presence in Ghana. He further assured the organisers of the company's continued dedication to promoting Foton's products and delivering quality commercial vehicle solutions to the Ghanaian market.
Deepening Foton's African Market Strategy
Foton Motor's growing presence in Africa formed a central focus of the conference. The company, which has maintained its position as China's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in domestic sales for 21 consecutive years and in export volume for 15 consecutive years, operates in more than 140 countries and regions worldwide. In Africa, Foton's operations span 54 markets, supported by more than 300 authorised service outlets.
During the conference, Foton announced further progress in expanding its commercial operations across key African markets. A significant highlight was the handover of 1,000 heavy-duty trucks to customers in Ghana and 800 heavy-duty trucks to customers in Zambia, demonstrating the growing scale of its business in the region.
The event also witnessed the signing of project agreements for 200 vehicles in Mozambique, 100 in Ethiopia and 100 in Kenya, alongside bulk new energy vehicle projects in Zambia.
These developments underscore Foton's strategy of strengthening its commercial vehicle business while supporting the transportation, mining, agriculture and logistics sectors across Africa.
Speaking on the company's internationalisation ambitions, Foton's overseas business leadership highlighted a strategy anchored on localised product development, manufacturing, business ecosystems and stronger partnerships with regional distributors.
The company also plans to leverage South Africa as a strategic base for expanding its operations across Southern Africa while pursuing coordinated growth opportunities in East, North and West Africa.
New Vehicle Models Expand Product Portfolio
The conference also provided an opportunity for Foton to introduce new models tailored to the diverse transportation needs and operating conditions of African markets.
Three models were officially unveiled: the GALAXUS R5 and GALAXUS C5 heavy-duty trucks, as well as the TUNLAND V9 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) pickup.
The GALAXUS R5 and C5 are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of long-haul transportation, construction and other heavy-duty commercial applications, with emphasis on power, reliability and fuel efficiency.
The TUNLAND V9 PHEV combines conventional internal combustion technology with electric propulsion, offering improved energy efficiency while maintaining the range and versatility required for different mobility applications.
The new introductions reflect Foton's commitment to expanding its product range and providing solutions that respond to the evolving needs of African customers.
Local Manufacturing and Industrial Partnerships Take Centre Stage
Beyond vehicle sales and product introductions, local manufacturing and industrial collaboration emerged as key pillars of Foton's long-term African strategy.
With a network of 16 local manufacturing plants across the continent, Foton is expanding partnerships to strengthen local production capabilities and create a more integrated automotive business ecosystem.
At the conference, the company signed six localised manufacturing cooperation agreements with partners from Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Further strategic collaborations involving vehicle financing with WesBank and spare parts hub development with DP World were also advanced.
The initiatives are expected to strengthen access to vehicle financing, improve spare parts distribution and enhance after-sales support, helping customers and businesses operate their vehicles with greater confidence.
Auman Galaxy Africa Tour Launched
Another major development at the conference was the launch of the Auman Galaxy Global Value Appreciation Tour – Africa Leg.
The initiative is designed to strengthen customer engagement, increase product awareness and provide opportunities for commercial vehicle operators to experience Foton's products and services across key African markets.
The launch ceremony saw dealer representatives from Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe receive flags to mark the commencement of the campaign across their respective markets.
The tour forms part of Foton's broader efforts to strengthen its relationships with regional partners and bring its products closer to customers.
Building a Stronger Future with African Partners
The successful conference reinforces Foton Motor's commitment to working closely with its African partners to accelerate market development, expand local manufacturing, strengthen regional supply chains and introduce innovative commercial vehicle technologies.
As Foton advances its African expansion strategy, the company and its regional partners are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting the continent's transportation, logistics and industrial development.
With the shared ambition of "Drive to Great," Foton Motor and its African partners are positioning themselves for a new phase of growth built on innovation, localisation and long-term collaboration.
