Chinese cars are absolutely peppering the Australian new car market, now Forthing will enter the market in June 2026 under Ateco Group distribution with the Taikon 5. This will add another Chinese new-energy brand to the local landscape.
Part of the Dongfeng Motor Group, Forthing specialises in electrified vehicles and will launch here with the Taikon 5 mid-size SUV. Known as the Friday in China, the model will arrive with a choice of battery electric and range-extender plug-in hybrid (REEV) powertrains.
The latter could prove the more notable of the two, at least on paper. Under WLTP testing, Forthing claims the Taikon 5 REEV can travel up to 170km on electric power alone, with a combined driving range of up to 1050km once its petrol engine is factored in.
If those figures carry through to the Australian model, it would place the newcomer among the longest electric range PHEVs on sale locally. This is despite the platform dating back to 2020, which gives it a similar vintage to the BYD Sealion 5.
Ateco says more detail around pricing, local specifications and additional models will be announced closer to launch.
The appointment also brings a familiar face to the brand’s local rollout, with Shaun Garrard named national manager for Forthing Australia. Garrard has previously worked with Chinese carmakers and more recently handled emerging brands at Ateco.
His appointment comes as Ateco prepares to add another nameplate to a portfolio that already spans multiple brands across Australia and New Zealand. The independent distributor has more than 40 years of experience bringing both new and established marques to market.
Forthing’s broader global lineup includes SUVs, sedans and people-movers, offered with a mix of BEV, HEV, PHEV and REEV powertrains. Dongfeng has impressive technical capability, with the Mage SUV (available overseas) demonstrating high thermal efficiency and an efficient hybrid transmission.
For now, though, the focus is on the Taikon 5, which will act as the brand’s first shot at establishing roots in Australia. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2026.
