Realizing that logistics enterprises are rapidly expanding in the Philippines, a dependable cargo hauler has become an integral part for businesses. Furthermore, because they’ve become a backbone of commerce, doing hub-to-hub deliveries or traversing through congested urban areas, it can tax both the drivers and trucks equally.

Thankfully, Foton Philippines, the third largest commercial vehicle brand in the country, has launched a new line of haulers, which can be deemed as the country’s safest: the 2019 Hurricane EST-M.

Built around a double-layer chassis and frame, the EST-M is extremely tough, giving it higher axle capacity, perfect for heavy loads. Together with its wider track, larger brakes, synchronizer-equipped gearbox, and Cummins Euro-4 engine, they’re capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain with ease. Moreover, top-notch safety is ensured by active safety features commonly found in passenger cars: Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with EBD, Anti-Slip Regulator (ASR), and even a collision mitigation system.

The 2019 Foton Hurricane EST-M 4x2 trucks were designed with fuel efficiency foremost in mind and with that, it gets the Foton-Cummins ISB 220 diesel engine. With an inline-6 layout, this turbocharged direct injection diesel engine generates 220 horsepower at 2,500 rpm and 800 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm.

Locally, the Hurricane EST-M truck is available in several sizes: a 22-footer and 25-footer cargo truck; a 25-footer cargo with crane; and a 6-wheeler dump truck with 9-cubic meter volume capacity.

The overall dimensions are the key difference between the three varieties. Both the EST-M 4x2 Cargo 25-footer truck and the EXT-M 4x2 Cargo with Crane truck has the following dimensions: 5,575mm for the wheelbase, 9,945mm length, 2,940mm width, and 2,775 for its height. Meanwhile, the EST-M 4x2 Dump Truck, has a 4,805mm wheelbase, 8,400mm length, 2,940 width, and a height of 2,770 mm. The payload capacity of the 25-footer EST-M 4x2 Cargo is 17,070 kg while the dump truck has 15,000 kg.

Keeping the driver comfortable even for long drives, the Foton Hurricane EST-M features a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power door locks and windows, a driver-friendly instrumentation, generous three-across seating, and storage spaces.

“Value has long been a hallmark of our products. It is one of the many attributes that made our commercial vehicle brand notch the third-best ranking in the overall local truck sales in 2018. The range of capabilities from light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks also coupled with the versatility of multiple body configurations enables us to serve the various needs of the Philippine market,” says Foton Philippines President Rommel Sytin. “With these trucks, we commit to provide businesses truck models that best fit the Filipino business needs’ requirements with full effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance, and easy ownership costs.”