Japan Motors wins Foton Africa award for driving brand growth in Ghana

Japan Motors Trading Company Ltd has received the Foton Africa 2026 Leap Forward Progress Award for its contribution to the brand’s growth in Ghana.

Foton Motor presented the award at its Africa Regional Partner Conference on October 29 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Japan Motors Executive Director Nouhad Kalmoni received the award on behalf of the company. He thanked the organisers for the recognition and reaffirmed the company's commitment to expanding Foton’s presence in Ghana.

Mr Kalmoni also pledged continued support for the brand’s products and the delivery of commercial vehicle solutions to the Ghanaian market.

Held under the theme “Drive to Great”, the conference brought together nearly 700 participants from 42 African countries. They included distributors, customers, industrial partners, government and business representatives, and executives from BAIC Group and Foton Motor.

The event recognised partners for contributions to business growth, customer development, new energy promotion, after-sales service and distributor partnerships.

Foton used the conference to outline its expansion plans, announce commercial agreements and showcase vehicles for African markets.

The company announced the handover of 1,000 heavy-duty trucks to customers in Ghana and 800 to customers in Zambia.

It also reported agreements for 200 vehicles in Mozambique, 100 in Ethiopia and 100 in Kenya, alongside bulk new energy vehicle projects in Zambia.

Foton said its African operations cover 54 markets and are supported by more than 300 authorised service outlets.

The company said its growth strategy centres on local product development, manufacturing and stronger partnerships with regional distributors.

South Africa is expected to serve as a strategic base for expansion across Southern Africa, alongside growth efforts in East, North and West Africa.

The conference introduced three models: the GALAXUS R5 and GALAXUS C5 heavy-duty trucks, and the TUNLAND V9 plug-in hybrid pickup.

Foton said the two trucks were designed for long-haul transport, construction and other demanding commercial uses, with a focus on power, reliability and fuel efficiency.

The TUNLAND V9 combines an internal combustion engine with electric propulsion. The company said it was designed to improve energy efficiency while retaining the range and versatility customers require.

Foton said it has a network of 16 local manufacturing plants across Africa.

At the conference, it signed six manufacturing cooperation agreements with partners from Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The company also advanced collaborations with WesBank on vehicle financing and DP World on spare parts hub development.

These initiatives aim to improve access to financing, strengthen parts distribution, and support after-sales services.

The conference also marked the launch of the African leg of the Auman Galaxy Global Value Appreciation Tour.

The initiative aims to introduce more commercial vehicle operators to Foton’s products and services and strengthen customer engagement.

Dealer representatives from Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe received flags to signal the start of activities in their markets.

Foton said the programme forms part of its wider strategy to deepen regional partnerships, expand local production and bring its products closer to African customers.