2026 Forthing Friday Reviews

China’s Forthing has just launched its first model in Australia and it plans to launch at least three more over the next 18 months.The Taikon 5 electric (EV) and range-extender hybrid (REEV) mid-size SUV is the brand’s first model, but it will be following it up with a people mover. It similarly will be offered with EV and REEV powertrains.This Forthing people mover will likely be the Yacht/Xinghai V6. It’s unclear what the Chinese carmaker will call this model in Australia.This forthcoming Forthing people mover will be displayed in prototype form at the Sydney Everything Electric show from September 18 to 20.Forthing has confirmed it will launch a larger SUV in 2028.It’s unclear what this model will be yet as the Chinese carmaker globally doesn’t offer any larger SUV than the mid-size Taikon 5.Beyond this, another model of an undisclosed body type is bound for Australia.Forthing Australia National Manager Shaun Garrard said the brand currently doesn’t have any ute in the works for Down Under.“There isn’t currently a ute model in the pipeline for Forthing, but again, we’re open to considering any product that Forthing wants to develop for Australia,” said Garrard.This seemingly rules out the Forthing P6 and P8 dual-cab utes that are offered in China.Forthing is a Chinese carmaker that’s part of China’s giant Dongfeng Motor Group that globally has joint venture partnerships with Nissan, Honda and Stellantis.It was introduced in China in 20001 but recently has been expanding its reach in export markets. The brand is being imported by Ateco in Australia, which also distributes LDV, Renault and Ram vehicles, among others, locally.The Forthing Taikon 5, which is currently in the midst of a trademark infringement issue regarding its name, is the brand’s first vehicle in Australia and it’s available in both EV and REEV trims. Pricing starts at $36,990 drive-away.This sees it compete directly with the likes of the BYD Sealion 6, Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5 and Starray EM-i, as well as the Jaecoo J7.

Buyers are about to get their first look at the next wave of EVs coming to Australia. The 2026 Everything Electric Sydney event will showcase many of the latest EVs headed Down Under, and will have a record number of new examples on show.Many affordable Chinese plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars will be available to look at, as well as some of the most anticipated new cars on their way to Australia. There will be plenty of new models put on show for the first time by Chery. Chery’s European-styled sub-brand Lepas will have two of its new models about to hit Aussie showrooms on display. The Lepas L6 electric mid-size SUV will be the brand’s first car put on sale in Australia, due in October 2026. Lepas will also show off its smaller L4 electric SUV that is expected to arrive Down Under in 2027. Chery’s adventure-focused sub-brand iCaur will introduce its V25 rugged SUV for the first time.The V25 is scheduled to arrive in early 2027 with a range-extender hybrid set-up to rival the plug-in hybrid Denza B5. Chery and Omoda Jaecoo will debut new models at the show as well, with more details to be revealed closer to the event. Zeekr will unveil its hugely-anticipated 7GT electric wagon publicly for the first time. The 7GT takes aim at Europe’s elite luxury models the Audi S5, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Earmarked for a late 2026 or early 2027 arrival, the 7GT will be the popular Chinese brand’s fourth model on sale Down Under. Geely will continue its new model surge in Australia, with the introduction of two SUVs to its line-up. The brand has not revealed any more specific details about what the models are. They will join the mid-sized fully-electric EX5 and plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i that have both experienced a positive sales return so far. Geely is on the up in Australia, with its methodical approach to introducing models seeing it claim solid sales results.GWM is another brand to have a strong presence at Everything Electric. The brand’s new-generation Haval H7 mid-size SUV will be on show, scheduled to launch Down Under later in 2026. It is expected to be available in both five- and seven-seater configurations, giving it a wider family appeal. GWM will also have a more affordable PHEV ute on display. The GWM Cannon PHEV is pitched as a cheaper and smaller sibling to the Cannon Alpha PHEV, and could undercut the confidently-selling BYD Shark 6. The Cannon PHEV is expected to officially launch in Australia in October 2026. MG’s U9 electric ute will be on display for the first time in New South Wales at the show. The U9 is one of few electric utes targeting the Australian market, along with the low-volume Toyota HiLux BEV. MG’s luxury sub-brand IM will put its LS9 large SUV on display. The LS9 is a six-seater SUV that provides competition for the popular Zeekr 9X. It could launch in Australia in later 2026 or early 2027. Hyundai will present its Staria Load Electric van for the first time in Australia. The Staria Load EV will join diesel- and hybrid-powered variants of the car already on sale. It will battle in an increasingly competitive electric van segment against the Kia PV5 and affordable Chinese rivals, including the LDV eDeliver 7. Forthing will show off an electric people mover that will launch in 2027. Forthing currently only sells its Taikon 5 mid-size SUV in Australia, available as a range-extender hybrid or fully-electric. Cadillac’s new Lyriq V performance SUV will be on show. It is the brand’s first of its V-Series, boasting as the fastest Cadillac ever. It will join the standard Optiq, Vistiq and Lyriq SUVs Down Under in early 2027. Cadillac Lyriq-VChery and Omoda Jaecoo new models Forthing electric people moverTwo Geely SUVsGWM Haval H7 and Cannon PHEVHyundai Staria Load ElectriciCaur V25IM LS9Lepas L6 and L4MG U9 EVZeekr 7GT

Forthing has revealed pricing and specs for its Taikon 5 SUV ahead of its Australian launch.The new-to-Australia brand from China and imported by Ateco, which also distributes LDV,  is offering both fully electric and range-extender hybrid versions of the new small SUV, with prices starting from $36,990.Unlike LDV, which is produced by MG-owner SAIC, Forthing is part of the Dongfeng Motor Group - a large manufacturer that has partnerships with Nissan and Peugeot in China.Both powertrain options are available across two trim levels, the base Luxury and top-spec Exclusive.The new SUV will go into battle against some tough competition, including the fully electric BYD Atto 2, which starts from $31,990, the popular Jaecoo J5, which starts from $36,990 for the fully electric version, or the Leapmotor B10 that is $37,888 for the entry-level version in either hybrid or electric form.The Taikon 5 is priced to compete with these main rivals across its two-variant, two-powertrain line-up.See the drive-away price-tags for the range in the table below.Forthing takes an interesting approach with the fully electric version using a front-wheel drive layout and the range-extender hybrid a rear-wheel drive set-up.Hybrid versions are equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 75kW/130Nm, which is not connected to the wheels and instead acts as a generator for its rear-mounted 120kW/240Nm electric motor.It is equipped with a 31kWh battery pack, allowing a 170km electric range according to the WLTP testing cycle, with a claimed/combined range of 937km with both a full charge and tank of fuel.The hybrid version can also charge on a fast DC pylon at a rate of 40kW for a charge time of 30 minutes, while the engine only requires entry-level 91RON unleaded for its 43-litre tank. In addition, both versions of the car are equipped with a vehicle-to-load discharging system at up to 3.5kW.The fully electric version is equipped with a front-mounted 150kW/340Nm electric motor and 64kWh LFP battery pack in both trim levels, which offers a WLTP driving range of up to 427km.It can charge at a rate of 80kW on a DC fast charger, allowing a 10 - 80 per cent charge time in 30 minutes.Efficiency figures for both powertrain options are yet to be revealed.The Taikon 5 Luxury in both powertrains features 19-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsA 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoAn 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster10-way power adjust for the driver’s seat4-way power adjust passenger seatVentilation and message functions for the driver’s seatSynthetic leather interior trimA reversing cameraRear parking sensorsHeated side mirrorsFour-speaker audio systemThe Taikon 5 Exclusive grade in both powertrains addsPower tailgateFront parking sensorsRear window tintingPower folding side mirrorsWireless phone chargingLeather-trimmed steering wheel360-degree parking cameraPanoramic opening sunroofSix-speaker audio systemThe only option in the Taikon 5 range currently is metallic paints which carry a cost of $600.Notably, the Range-Extender hybrid versions and the Luxury EV are equipped with a tyre repair kit, while the top-spec Exclusive EV comes with a space-saver spare wheel.The Forthing Taikon 5 includes the following safety kit as standardAuto emergency brakingLane keep assist with lane departure warningBlind spot monitoringFront and rear cross traffic alertDoor exit warningAdaptive cruise controlTraffic sign recognitionSix airbagsTyre pressure monitoringAteco is offering the Taikon 5 with seven years or 200,000km of warranty coverage. It requires servicing every 12 months/15,000km for range extender hybrids, or 12 months/20,000km for full electric variants. Pricing is yet to be revealed.The Taikon 5 measures 4600mm long, 1680mm tall, and 1860mm wide. It features a wheelbase of 2715mm.Hybrid versions ride slightly higher than EV versions, at 1700mm tall, and the electric version weighs 100kg more than the hybrid, at 1920kg vs 1820kg respectively.The Forthing Taikon 5 is expected to hit dealerships before the end of June 2026.

Yet another Chinese car brand is soon set to arrive on Australian shores.Forthing, which is a brand within the Dongfeng umbrella, is set to launch Down Under in June 2026 initially with a mid-size SUV that’ll offer electric (EV) and range-extender (REEV) powertrains.The Forthing Taikon 5 is known as the Friday in China and is roughly the same size as the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail, among others.Full specifications on the Australian-specification powertrains haven’t been detailed yet but in New Zealand the following is being offered.The EV version is powered by a single electric motor that produces 150kW and is fed by a 64.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, allowing for a range of up to 400km, according to WLTP testing.The REEV version on the other hand has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a 120kW electric motor that’s fed by a 31.94kWh LFP battery. Forthing claims it has an EV range of 170km and a total range of up to 937km, both according to WLTP testing.It’s unclear whether these will be the only powertrains offered in Australia. In China there is an EV version with a larger battery pack, as well as other hybrid and petrol powertrains.Full specification and pricing will be announced closer to the June 2026 launch.Forthing has also confirmed it will announce details on other models to join the local line-up. Globally it offers a range of people movers and sedans.Distribution of this new Chinese brand in Australia will be conducted by Ateco Group, which already oversees brands including LDV, Ram, Renault and Maserati, among others.Managing the Forthing brand in Australia will be Shaun Garrard who previously worked at Tesla and WM Motor, and more recently specialised in emerging brands at Ateco Group.“We see huge potential in the Forthing brand in this highly competitive market, with its comprehensive line-up of new-energy vehicles,” said Forth Australia National Manager Shaun Garrard.“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.“Despite the recent influx of new brands, Forthing has the credentials and commitment to earn its place in this market.“A lot of new automotive brands are making bold promises. With Forthing’s strong product portfolio – and the Ateco Group’s experience in introducing new brands to this market – we are well positioned for long term success.”

2025 was the year of the new car brand in Australia, though things don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

Yet another Chinese brand locks in for an Australian launch.