Forthing arrives in New Zealand with a clear message: build well, build green, and back it up. The Liuzhou-based brand (part of a long automotive lineage) has officially launched in NZ with the Taikon medium-sized SUV in both Super Hybrid and All-Electric options, broad warranty cover, and a sustainability story that’s hard to ignore – it’s priced well too!
Sustainability at the core – a factory that powers itself (and more)
One of the standouts about Forthing is the scale and seriousness of its sustainability efforts. Its Liuzhou manufacturing assembly plants as running completely off solar power, effectively operating off-grid for assembly operations and, over the year, exporting surplus electricity back to the main grid. That local commitment to carbon neutrality is a deliberate part of the brand story being brought to New Zealand.
Its renewable systems are no small afterthought, their factory loop generates more than 45 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, a volume sufficient enough to cover manufacturing needs and show the brand’s low-carbon production model. That’s a headline-making figure for an OEM entering a market like New Zealand, where sustainability credentials increasingly matter to buyers and fleet managers.
Manufacturing pedigree – 72 years and a global reach
Although new to us, Forthing isn’t a start-up by any stretch. The brand is tied to a manufacturing group with 72 years of vehicle-making experience, and it has been engaged in overseas markets for decades, with over 30 years of development in international operations. It boasts an independent manufacturing system, in-house engine development, and capacity that includes a passenger vehicle capability of roughly 400,000 units a year.
Put plainly, Forthing comes with big industrial backing. It’s part of a state-owned industrial ecosystem and counts joint ventures and cooperative work with well-known global players (Honda, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault) among its history, positioning it more as an entrenched automaker than a tech-first EV disruptor. This is important for those of us that desire durability, parts availability and long-term service commitments.
The Taikon – new platform, roomy medium SUV and safety-first thinking
At the centre of Forthing’s New Zealand push is the Taikon, the first model based on the brand’s new EMA platform, designed to underpin a family of future vehicles. The platform strategy signals that Taikon is more than a single model launch; it’s the start of a line that will spawn additional models throughout 2026 and into mid-2027.
Although styling may read compact at a glance, Taikon is classed as a medium SUV, with proportions and interior space pitched to compete in a busy and growing segment. The launch vehicles include two main specifications (Luxury and Exclusive), both of which come with premium touches such as power electric sports seats, ventilated centre storage, a two-tone roof as standard, acoustic tuning for the audio system, and attention to finish-level details like triple door seals and high paint-coverage standards. The design shows a clear European influence, shaped by a designer Hans-Henning Knoeplfe, with prior work for brands including Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.
Powertrain choices and battery confidence
Forthing has made a strategic decision to offer multiple powertrains to suit shifting market demand, an ideal approach for New Zealand’s market, which has been volatile in its powertrain preferences over recent seasons. The Taikon lineup includes both strong hybrid and full battery-electric variants, letting the brand capture customers transitioning from fossil fuel to electrified options.
On battery security and customer peace-of-mind, Forthing is offering an 8-year / 200,000 km battery warranty alongside a generous 7-year / 200,000 km vehicle warranty and a 7-year AA roadside assist package. Those warranty commitments aim to narrow the gap between the attractiveness of used cars and buying new, a point highlighting the competitive appeal of the new Taikon models in price-sensitive markets.
Safety has also been highlighted, Forthing equips the Taikon with a full ADAS suite at Level 2, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep and collision avoidance features, a reverse camera, six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and standard active safety controls like ABS and hill descent control. It comes with a 5-star safety rating under New Zealand standards for the vehicle.
Dual Engine 2030
Forthing’s broader roadmap references a “Dual Engine 2030” strategy that signals a long-term engineering and product plan aimed at powertrain refinement, electrification and globalisation. It all about Forthing’s intent to invest in R&D, State of the Art Manufacturing, aftersales and service infrastructure through 2030. They are focusing in on intelligent driving (Forthing e-Driving), Global Intelligence. 500+Netowrk outlets and 500+dervice outlets.
Network, after-sales and local promises
Forthing’s local launch plan is pragmatic, initial dealer coverage in the four major metro centers (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch), rapid expansion into surrounding districts (Auckland, Tauranga, Dunedin), and a logistics push to have stock ready for immediate delivery. Forthing has already landed significant parts inventory for NZ ($500k+) and stresses corrosion protection and additional underbody treatments tailored for local road and climate challenges. That logistics preparedness is a deliberate move to reduce friction for buyers who may otherwise be cautious about buying non-traditional brands, and the extra anti-chip coatings, galvanization and paint layers speak to a strategy built on long-term durability rather than short-term cost savings.
What this launch means for Kiwi drivers
If you’re scouting the medium-SUV market in New Zealand, the Taikon offers a compelling value proposition: European-influenced styling, multiple powertrain choices, extensive warranty coverage and a sustainability narrative tied to solar-powered manufacturing. For buyers who balance environmental impact with long-term ownership costs, Forthing’s claims about carbon-neutral production and strong after-sales plans make the Taikon worth a closer look.
Tarmac Takeaway
Forthing pairs a legacy manufacturing story (72 years, big production capacity) with modern priorities, electrified powertrains, safety, big warranty packages and a supply chain pitched as resilient and low-carbon. Whether that all translates into sustained market share will come down to real-world ownership experiences, dealer performance, and how well Dual Engine 2030 and ongoing product updates deliver locally. For now, the Taikon (EV or Super Hybrid) gives Kiwis a fresh, well-specified medium SUV option that’s built to appeal to both practical and environmentally conscious buyers.
