Forthing is entering the Australian market in June 2026 with the Taikon 5 medium SUV. The Chinese brand, owned by Dongfeng Motor Group and also known for its 'Friday' lineup in China, has received Australian Design Rule (ADR) approval for two variants of the Taikon 5: a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and a range-extender EV (REEV). Ateco Group, the local distributor for Ram and Renault, will handle sales and service.
Pricing has not been announced but is expected to be priced at the lower end of the medium electric SUV segment. Two trim levels have been confirmed: Luxury and Exclusive. Both are expected to be available in BEV and REEV form. The Taikon 5 has been on sale in New Zealand, where it is also marketed under the 'Friday' name.
About Forthing
Forthing is a brand under Dongfeng Motor Group, one of China's largest state-owned automotive manufacturers. The brand was established in 2001. In New Zealand and China, the Taikon 5 is also sold as the 'Friday', which means review content from those markets should be comparable to what Australian buyers will receive.
Shaun Garrard has been named national manager for Forthing in Australia. Garrard has prior experience working directly with brands in China. Ateco Group, which currently distributes Ram trucks and Renault vehicles locally, will oversee both Australian and New Zealand operations.
Taikon 5 BEV Specs
The fully electric Taikon 5 uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Key confirmed specs are listed below. Australian specs are based on ADR approval documents and NZ spec, which is expected to carry over.
Spec | Detail |
Battery | 64.4kWh LFP |
Motor output | 150kW / 240Nm |
WLTP range | Over 400km (claimed) |
Braked towing | 1500kg |
Unbraked towing | 0kg (not rated) |
Variants | Luxury, Exclusive |
Price | TBC |
Taikon 5 REEV Specs
The range-extender version pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Forthing markets it as a REEV rather than a PHEV, meaning the petrol engine acts as a generator and does not drive the wheels directly. NZ specs, which are expected to mirror Australia, show the following.
Spec | Detail |
Petrol engine | 1.5-litre (range extender only) |
Electric motor | 120kW / 240Nm |
Battery capacity | 31.9kWh |
EV-only range (WLTP) | 170km |
Total claimed range | 1050km |
Australian specs for the REEV have not been officially confirmed. NZ figures are used here as a guide and may differ slightly from the local-market version.
How the Taikon 5 BEV Compares to Its Rivals
Pricing for the Taikon 5 is still unconfirmed, so a direct value comparison is not yet possible. What can be compared are the core specs. The table below compares the Taikon 5 BEV against three mid-size electric SUVs already on sale in Australia.
Spec | Forthing Taikon 5 BEV | Geely EX5 (2026) | BYD Sealion 7 Premium | MG S6 EV Essence RWD |
Price (before on-roads) | TBC | From $41,990 | $54,990 | $49,990 (driveaway) |
Battery | 64.4kWh LFP | 68.4kWh LFP | 82.56kWh LFP | 77kWh NMC |
Motor power | 150kW | 160kW | 230kW | 180kW |
Torque | 240Nm | 320Nm | 380Nm | 350Nm |
WLTP range | 400km+ (claimed) | Up to 475km | 482km | 530km |
Drive | FWD (unconfirmed) | FWD | RWD | RWD |
Braked towing | 1500kg | Not rated | 750kg | 1500kg |
Warranty | TBC | 7 years unlimited km | 6 years / 150,000km | 7 years unlimited km |
The Taikon 5 BEV carries less battery and less motor power than most established rivals. Its 1500kg braked towing rating is stronger than the BYD Sealion 7 Premium, and matches the MG S6 EV. Range will be the key question once official WLTP figures are confirmed for Australia.
What to Expect at Launch
Forthing has confirmed the Taikon 5 will arrive in June 2026. Pricing, warranty terms, charging speeds, and service network details have not been released. The brand's national manager has said more information will follow closer to showroom arrival.
Forthing has also indicated further models beyond the Taikon 5 have been approved for Australia, though no details have been provided on timing or which vehicles are planned.
Buyers interested in getting a sense of the Taikon 5 can look at driving reviews from New Zealand, where the vehicle is already on sale under the 'Friday' name. The NZ spec is expected to be close to the Australian version.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
