BAIC FOTON Supports Public Welfare Development in the DRC with Delivery of First Batch of Custom Sch
BAIC FOTON recently held a delivery ceremony in Kolwezi, the capital of Lualaba Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to mark the handover of a fleet of passenger vehicles. The delivery includes 30 custom-designed FOTON school buses and city buses, which will primarily be used for transporting students at public primary and secondary schools in Kolwezi, as well as Unico University. These vehicles will also serve the city's public transit system, contributing to the improvement of local education infrastructure and public services.
近日，北汽福田刚果（金）批量客车交付仪式在卢阿拉巴省首府科卢韦齐市举行。交付车辆涵盖30辆福田校车及公交，将主要用于科卢韦齐市公立中小学校、尤尼科大学的学生接送及城市公共交通服务，助力当地教育基础设施水平升级。
The school buses delivered this time come in two models. One has been specially customized to suit the high-temperature climate of the DRC. Key upgrades include enhanced air conditioning capacity, improved ventilation and cooling vents, and the addition of a mechanical fan to ensure passenger comfort. The seating capacity has also been increased from 48 to 56 seats to better meet actual operational needs.
本次交付校车分为两种车型，一种车型针对刚果（金）高温气候特征进行了专项定制：优化冷气系统制冷量、空调鼓风和冷气口，增加机械风扇，确保乘坐舒适性；车辆座位数也从48座调整为56座，以便更好地匹配实际运营需求。
The other model is a flagship product widely adopted in the DRC, with proven performance in both adaptability and cost-efficiency. It primarily serves the local mining sector and intercity transport hubs. This model is currently available in two configurations: The first is a 56-seat school bus (53+2+1 layout) customized based on standard domestic school bus designs and tailored to client needs. It offers both high safety and comfort, making it ideal for school transport. The second is a 61-seat version (58+2+1 layout) based on a mature domestic coach design, featuring dual passenger doors. It emphasizes comfort and commuting efficiency, making it well-suited for transporting workers in mining areas as well as for use in urban public transit systems.
另一种车型是刚果（金）主力推广车型，其适应性与经济性历经市场检验，主要服务于当地矿业及客运站。该车型目前提供两种配置：第一款为引用国内中小学校车并按照客户需求定制的53+2+1布局的56座专属校车，安全性和舒适性双满足；第二款为引用国内成熟客车58+2+1布局、双乘客门的61座车型，突出舒适与通勤能力，广泛适用于矿区劳工接送与城市公交系统。
As the second-largest country in Africa by land area, the DRC is rich in mineral resources but still faces challenges in infrastructure development. The country's road conditions are complex, and fuel quality and after-sales service systems remain underdeveloped. In response to these realities, BAIC FOTON has recommended a standardized range of bus models and components, emphasizing high reliability, strong compatibility, and low emissions. This approach significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs while ensuring the vehicles are well-suited to the local environment and resource conditions.
刚果（金）作为非洲面积第二大国，矿产资源丰富，但基础设施仍较为薄弱，道路交通条件复杂，油品质量和售后维护体系尚不完善。基于这一现实，北汽福田推荐了统一车型、统一配件方案的客车系列产品，以高可靠性、通用性和低排放为核心优势，显著降低了车辆的运营与维护成本，切实适应当地特殊的使用环境和资源条件。
This delivery marks an important step forward in the deepening cooperation between BAIC FOTON and the government of the DRC in vehicle procurement and local assembly. It also lays a solid foundation for future initiatives, including localized SKD assembly projects and broader collaboration on government and public service vehicles. Serving as a pilot and showcase project, this fleet will help enhance administrative efficiency and public services in the DRC, while significantly improving urban transportation capacity and optimizing commuting experiences for both students and local residents.
本次交付是北汽福田与刚果（金）政府在车辆采购与合作组装领域深化合作的重要开端，也为后续推动本地化SKD组装项目及更大范围的政府与民生用车合作奠定了坚实基础。这批车辆将作为刚果（金）推动政务效率提升与民生服务改善的切入点和示范项目，进一步提升城市交通运营能力，优化学生通勤与市民出行体验。
The introduction of this fleet will greatly ease student transportation challenges and public commuting difficulties in Kolwezi. It represents a concrete step by the government toward improving public services and advancing key livelihood projects. As a major player in the African commercial vehicle market, BAIC FOTON has established a comprehensive sales and service network across multiple African countries, with a product lineup that spans heavy-duty trucks, light trucks, pickups, and buses. Through its "Africa Strategy," BAIC FOTON is systematically enhancing capabilities across the entire value chain—including products, networks, services, parts, financing, and talent development. The company is placing strategic focus on expanding its core businesses in heavy trucks, pickups, and buses, contributing to the development of sustainable transportation systems across the continent.
这批车辆的投入使用将极大缓解科卢韦齐的学生交通压力和市民出行难题，是政府落实民生工程、提升公共服务的切实举措。作为非洲商用车市场的重要参与者，北汽福田已在多个非洲市场建立了完善的销售与服务网络，产品覆盖重卡、轻卡、皮卡和客车等多领域，并通过“非洲战略”系统性提升产品、网络、服务、配件、金融及人才等全价值链能力，重点推动重卡、皮卡、客车等核心业务增长，助力非洲国家构建可持续的交通体系。
As its Africa Strategy continues to expand, BAIC FOTON will remain committed to a localized operational approach, deepening partnerships with local stakeholders and focusing on government and public welfare projects. The company aims to support the modernization of transportation and logistics infrastructure across African countries, contributing to long-term, sustainable development.
随着非洲战略的全面铺开，北汽福田将继续坚持属地化运营策略，深化与当地伙伴合作，聚焦政府与民生类项目，助力非洲各国交通与物流基础设施现代化建设。