Forthing launches with four dealers

Chinese brand Forthing has launched in New Zealand with one SUV on offer — the Taikon.

Despite this modest, single-model launch, Todd Groves, the General Sales Manager revealed plans to expand the range within the coming year.

Groves mentioned there will be two new models this year, with more coming in early 2027, all based on the Taikon’s EMA platform.

Similar to other Chinese brands, the Taikon nameplate will serve as a sub-brand going forward, with numbers distinguishing different models.

SUPER HYBRID OR ELECTRIC

Globally, the Taikon is available with four powertrain options. There’s a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, a super hybrid, and a pure electric version. Given New Zealand’s current fuel predicament, it’s little surprise to see Forthing New Zealand has decided to go with the latter two options, as they are the most fuel efficient.

The electric Taikon is powered by a 64kWh battery, which is paired with an electric motor on the front axle. This motor produces 150kW and 240Nm.

It has a WLTP-rated electric driving range of over 400km, and with a maximum DC charge rate of 120kW, it can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

The Taikon Super Hybrid is a bit more complicated, as it’s technically still an EV, but it uses a petrol engine to recharge the battery. These range extending systems are nothing new, but are having their time in the spotlight as more and more motorists look to maximise their dollars at the petrol pump without going fully electric.

It features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s connected to a generator.

This generator sends charge to a 32kWh battery, which powers the 120kW/240Nm electric motor on the rear axle. It’s rated to an electric-only range of 183km, and as for a full hybrid range? It should do around 1000km comfortably.

A BUSY SEGMENT

At 4.6 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.7 metres tall, the Taikon is almost exactly the same size as a Toyota RAV4. As you’ll know the RAV4 has become the benchmark of the mid-size SUV segment, and that’s where the Forthing is set to compete.

During the launch presentation, Todd Groves mentioned that there are around 9,000 new registrations of mid-size SUVs each year, making it NZ’s most lucrative new vehicle segment. In saying this, it is also the most competitive segment in New Zealand, with almost every single manufacturer offering something.

With this in mind, Forthing New Zealand is pretty confident that the Taikon’s price point will be enticing enough to lure customers from more tried and tested legacy brands.

In New Zealand, the Taikon Super Hybrid Luxury is the entry point to the range at $39,990. Opting for the higher-spec Exclusive model will cost $44,990.

The entry-level Taikon EV Luxury is a bit more expensive at $42,990, and it’s the same story for the Exclusive at $47,990.

At this price point, the Super Hybrid is $10,000 cheaper than the cheapest RAV4 hybrid, and the Taikon EV is an impressive $15,000 less than the cheapest RAV4 PHEV.