New Chinese brand incoming! Forthing to launch in Australia in June with Toyota RAV4 Hybrid-baiting Taikon 5 medium SUV
Forthing is the latest Chinese car brand to lock in an Australian arrival, with the Dongfeng Motor Group-aligned marque set to launch here in June 2026 under Ateco Group distribution.
The newcomer joins a rush of Chiense brands that have either launched, or that will soon, and it will arrive with electrified ambitions from day one, led by the Taikon 5 mid-size SUV in both battery-electric and range-extending plug-in hybrid forms.
That timing could prove perfect, too. Forthing’s launch announcement follows two consecutive months in which China topped the list of vehicle importers in Australia, toppling Japan, Thailand and Korea. It also follows a boom month for EV sales.
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Local specs are yet to be confirmed, but international data shows the Forthing Taikon 5 is around 4600mm long, 1860mm wide, 1680mm tall. The EV version is powered by a 150kW/340Nm e-motor driving the front wheels. It has 64.4kWh Lithium-ion Phosphate battery pack and a claimed 425km range. The range-extender version pairs a 1.5L turbo-petrol engine with its electric motor.
Ateco – which also handles Australian distribution for Renault, LDV and Maserati – has been appointed Forthing’s official Australian distributor, with the company suggesging Forthing had the product pipeline and backing to compete in an increasingly crowded market.
“We see huge potential in the Forthing brand in this highly competitive market, with its comprehensive line-up of new-energy vehicles,” Shaun Garrard, Forthing National Manager, says.
“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.
The first cab off the rank will be the Taikon 5, a mid-size SUV sold as the Friday in China. In Australia it will be offered in BEV and REEV form, with the latter promising a 170km electric-only driving range under WLTP testing, and a total quoted driving range of 1050km with both the battery and tank filled.
Full pricing and specification will be revealed closer to the Taikon 5’s launch.
