Another Chinese car brand has been confirmed for Australia, with Forthing set for a June 2026 launch led by a Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5-sized SUV.
Forthing is owned by Dongfeng, one of China’s ‘Big Four’ automakers, which also has joint ventures with Nissan and Honda.
The brand offers petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicles globally, and was established in 2001.
Forthing’s Australian rollout will be handled by Sydney-based Ateco Group, which distributes LDV, Renault, Ram Trucks and Maserati locally, and Fiat, Jeep and BYD in New Zealand.
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“We see huge potential in the Forthing brand in this highly competitive market, with its comprehensive line-up of new-energy vehicles,” said Forthing national manager Shaun Garrard in a statement.
“Forthing has a range of compelling future models that have been confirmed for Australia, and we will have more information to share closer to showroom arrivals.”
Ahead of its Australian launch, Ateco also confirmed Forthing will debut in New Zealand in April, as Dongfeng expands into right-hand-drive markets.
In Australia, Forthing is expected to prioritise a national dealer rollout, with showrooms planned in every capital city – an area where some new entrants have struggled.
Leading the launch on both sides of the Tasman will be the Taikon 5 SUV (not using its overseas ‘Friday’ name here), a mid-size model comparable in size to the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. It has been in production since 2020.
Overseas, the Taikon 5 measures approximately 4600mm long, 1860mm wide and 1680mm high, with a 2715mm wheelbase – between the RAV4’s 2690mm and the new-generation Mazda CX-5’s 2815mm.
It’s also similar in size to the Leapmotor C10, launched in Australia in 2024 as an EV, with an extended-range (EREV) variant added in 2025.
Ateco has confirmed the Taikon 5 will be offered in Australia and New Zealand with a choice of EREV (REEV in Forthing parlance) and EV powertrains.
The REEV pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 31.94kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with a claimed electric-only range of 138km (WLTP).
The EV version is offered with a 150kW single-motor front-wheel drive powertrain and a 64.4kWh LFP battery. Claimed range on the more lenient CLTC cycle is 530km.
While the EV features torsion beam rear suspension, the REEV upgrades to a multi-link setup.
Standard equipment confirmed for New Zealand includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
In China, the EV is priced from ¥151,900 (about $31,900), above the Geely EX5 which starts from ¥109,800 (about $23,000). In Australia, the EX5 is priced from $41,990 before on-road costs, while the Leapmotor C10 EV starts from $45,888.
For context, the Leapmotor C10 REEV is priced from $43,888 before on-road costs in Australia. It’s unclear if Forthing will undercut the rival Chinese brand.
Australian pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the brand’s June 2026 launch.
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