Is Foton bringing the Mars 7 & 9 pickup trucks to PH?

Foton Motor Philippines Inc (FMPI) is set to stir the pickup truck market once more. While they have already wowed everyone when they launched the new look Thunder last year (along with the 4x4 version earlier this year), they are set to bring more pickup trucks into the country.

The manufacturer recently released a teaser image of two new upcoming pickups set to arrive in the Philippines sometime next year. According to FMPI, both vehicles will serve as the brand's first hybrid diesel in the country. Other than that, we only got to see a glimpse of the vehicles' unique front fascias.

After doing some research, it seems like Foton is set to bring the Mars 7 (pictured above) and Mars 9 (see main image above) pickup trucks. Also called the Tunland 7 and Tunland 9, the two vehicles are full-size pickup trucks that are bigger than the midsize Thunder.

Starting with the Mars 7, this full-size behemoth measures 5797mm long, 2090mm wide, 1910mm tall, and has a generous 3505mm wheelbase. On the other hand, the Mars 9 is slightly smaller but is still a big pickup truck. This one measures 5617mm long, 2000mm wide, 2090mm tall, and has a 3355mm wheelbase. Side-by-side with the GWM Cannon, the Foton Mars 7 and Mars 9 are longer, wider, and taller.

Foton Mars 7 live photo

As for what's under the hood, both pickup trucks from Foton are available with a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assist. It makes 163 PS along with a healthy 450 Nm of torque and is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission by ZF. It's available in both 2WD and 4WD variants.

Other details about the upcoming pickup trucks remain a mystery, including its official launch (or preview) date in the country. However, we could see both the Mars 7 and Mars 9 pickup trucks make their presence felt at next year's Foton Big Show. With that, perhaps the two vehicles could arrive here in Q1 2024.