Foton is back, and it’s once again entering a market teeming with affordable Chinese utes, and once again under-cutting Australia’s most popular Thai-built models.

Unlike last time, when the previous Tunland ute contended with what was known as Great Wall, as well as ZX Auto and JMC before eventually being axed, this time it’s up against a rebranded and increasingly sophisticated GWM, as well as stalwart LDV and new entrant JAC.

It’s doing this with the backing of Subaru distributor Inchcape, and is once again using the Tunland nameplate.

This time, it’s applied to a radically different-looking pair of dual-cab utes. Gone is the pleasant, safe styling of the old Tunland, and in its place is a look that owes more to American full-size pickups than any of its similarly priced rivals.

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The V7 is the one you see here that looks rather like a Ford F-150 if you take off your glasses, while the V9 is the one that looks awfully like a Ram 1500.

You won’t miss them on the street, thanks not only to their bold styling but also dimensions that make them larger than top-selling utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, and an array of bold exterior paint colours including Lightning Purple.

Foton says the V7 is more fleet-focused, offering a payload of over 1000kg, while the V9 – thanks to its multi-link rear suspension – offers a smoother ride and greater refinement.

Pricing starts at $39,990 before on-road costs for the V7-C 4×2, and tops out at $49,990 plus on-roads for the V9-S 4×4.