Forthing to expand portfolio in Australia

Forthing has laid out its plans for Australia, with three new models lined up for local launch within two years, adding to the Taikon 5 which opens its ledger Down Under this month.

The next model to arrive in Forthing showrooms after the just-launched Taikon 5 will be an electrified people mover on offer with a choice of fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains and “attainable pricing”.

According to the company’s national manager Shaun Garrard, Forthing fans will be able to get a first glimpse of the vehicle and the confirmation of its model name at the upcoming Everything Electric exhibition in Sydney this month.

“The vehicle will be on display at the Everything Electric show, so that’ll be our first Australian debut [of the new model],” he said.

As a subsidiary of Chinese car giant DongFeng, the upcoming people mover could take many forms including a number of possibilities already in the Forthing family overseas.

The most likely candidate would be the Xinghai V9 which launched in the Chinese domestic market last year, while the Yacht is another recent MPV model (albeit smaller) that could fit the bill.

The company was unwilling to privide details about the model that will follow the imminent people mover, but Garrard confirmed it would be a second SUV larger than the now on-sale Taikon 5.

“We’re planning a larger SUV for release in 2028,” he confirmed.

It’s expected the mystery model will follow the pioneering model’s lead with options of pure electric and PHEV power along with compelling pricing.

There are no models that fit Garrard’s description in the current global Forthing range so the mystery large SUV is likely to be a vehicle not yet revealed. Our tip is to keep all eyes on the 2027 Shanghai motor show early next year for clues.

The fourth model remains a complete enigma at this stage, with confirmation of an additional car or SUV to join the range the only information offered at this stage.

Garrard would only describe the vehicle as “another exciting model”.

However, he confirmed that all three additions to the family would be on red Aussie dirt “over the next 18 months” and that the roll out of fresh metal would not stop with the quartet of models.

“This is just the start,” he explained. “Our plan is for sustainable growth. Our plan is to be here for the long term”.

Dual-cab fans will be disappointed to learn that a ute will not be part of the Forthing furniture in the next few years, with rumours dashed for a one-tonner to do battle with the popular BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon and Ford Ranger PHEV.

“A ute model is not currently in the pipeline,” said Garrard.

The company plans to support the growing line-up and increasing sales with a dealer network that’s growing in unison and, according to Forthing, its current national dealership tally of 20 will grow to 35 by the end of the year.

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