Forthing Taikon 5 vs BYD Seal 6

What's the difference?

We’re entering the second half of 2026 and the rollout of new Chinese brands in Australia shows no sign of slowing.

The latest is Forthing, a brand from China’s massive Dongfeng Motor Group which has joint ventures with Nissan, Honda and Stellantis.

Forthing's first model in Australia is called the Taikon 5, a mid-size SUV offered in both electric (EV) and range-extender hybrid (REEV) guises.

Although customer deliveries have just begun, the rollout has been bumpy. Forthing is currently in the middle of a trademark dispute with Porsche over the Taikon name.

Porsche alleges Taikon is too similar to Taycan.

While this dispute is ongoing, Forthing is publicly referring to the car as the Electric and Range Extender Hybrid.

Forthing is hoping to have a resolution by the end of 2026, but if Porsche is successful in its opposition, the company may need to rename the car.

The Toyota Camry might be in a spot of trouble here.

The 2026 BYD Seal 6 has arrived, and not just at a lower starting price with a more electrified plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but with a wagon option, too.

In fact, the Seal 6 Touring Premium wagon is the halo variant of the Seal 6 range and its price matches the Camry’s entry grade.

The mid-size sedan and wagon duo from China, not to be confused with the already-launched BYD Seal electric car, make up what’s probably BYD’s strongest jab at Toyota yet. A true threat to the iconic Camry.

BYD’s biggest selling point for the Seal 6 is its range, more than 1000km in the real world, tested on just one tank and one charge from Sydney to Melbourne.

One day of pure highway driving and a day of winding country roads put that to the test on its Australian launch so you hopefully never have to.