The Foton Alpha is the first generation of the Foton View, a series of light commercial vans built by the Chinese manufacturer Foton Motor since 2000. The early vans closely resembled the Toyota HiAce H100, and in October 2003 an updated model called the Foton View Alpha replaced the original View.
Foton Alpha at a glance
| Maker | Foton Motor, Beijing |
|---|---|
| Series | Foton View (福田风景) |
| Production | since 2000 |
| Generation | first, known as the Alpha |
| Body styles | minivan/MPV, minibus, panel van, crew van, ambulance |
| Inspiration | Toyota HiAce H100 |
| Update | October 2003 |
| Also called | Foton View Alpha, Foton View Irland Act |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Foton View describes the Alpha only in its short first-generation section.
History of the Foton Alpha
The first Foton View
The Foton View was first launched in 2000 as a series of light commercial vehicles. The early models heavily resembled the Toyota HiAce H100 vans, and Foton’s own description of the car inspired by the HiAce H100 calls it the Foton View or Foton Alpha. The View has been available in a wide range of body configurations, including a minivan or MPV, a minibus, a panel van, a crew van and an ambulance.
The Alpha of 2003
An updated model called the Foton View Alpha, or Foton View Irland Act, was launched in October 2003 to replace the original View models. Later generations of the View, introduced from 2007 and 2014, moved to other names and bodies.
Design and features
- HiAce-inspired body: the early View vans closely resembled the Toyota HiAce H100.
- Many body styles: minivan or MPV, minibus, panel van, crew van and ambulance versions.
- Updated first generation: the Alpha, also called the View Irland Act, from October 2003.
Foton Alpha versions
- Foton View (2000): the original first-generation van.
- Foton View Alpha (October 2003): updated first generation.
- Foton View Irland Act: the alternative name of the updated model.
Foton’s trucks are covered in the Auman and Ollin articles. More vehicles are in the Foton collection.
Sources
- Foton View, English Wikipedia: first generation, Alpha update, body styles
- Foton Motor, English Wikipedia: the Alpha name
