There’s a new brand on the horizon. It’s called Forthing and is owned by the Chinese Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co. Ltd, one of the top four Chinese automotive groups. It shares the framework of the cars with Cirelli and Tiger and arrives in Italy thanks to TC8 Srl (a company of the Fth SpA group), sole importer and distributor for Italy. Expansion into Eastern European countries is currently being evaluated. What is certain is that last May 9th the Unrae (National Union of foreign motor vehicle representatives) approved the membership request of TC8 Srl, which became the 41st associated company.
How to frame Forthing
—
The Chinese car brand presents itself to the Italian press by declaring itself as a brand medium-high segment. And seeing from the list prices of the two cars marketed at the time of launch, an SUV and a minivan, the statement is soon confirmed. Prices starting from 32,900 euros for the T5 Evo, a medium-sized petrol SUV; from 34,500 euros for the same car but bi-fuel; from 37,900 euros for the T5 Hev, full hybrid; from 33,900 euros for the petrol U-Tour, the spacious minivan; from 35,500 euros the same car but with a bi-fuel engine; and from 43,500 euros the Friday, a 100% electric variant of the T5 platform arriving soon. On the U-Tour, seven-seater approval costs an extra 1,000 euros. Three distribution channels: the traditional network of medium-sized multi-brand dealers consolidated in their respective territories; online sales; the rent.
Forthing T5: petrol or hybrid
—
The T5 SUV is the one that captures the most attention for the launch of the Forthing brand, with a bold and decisive front appearance that goes well with the interior with a sporty look, even if of strong German inspiration. Available with petrol or petrol full hybrid, we are talking about a car less than 460 cm long, 186 cm wide, just under 170 cm high and with a wheelbase of 271.5 cm (the precise dimensions vary depending on the powertrain). The curb weight is 1,625 kg in the case of the endothermic, 1,775 kg for the hybrid. Front-wheel drive for both, the petrol reaches 177 HP of power thanks to the 1.5 Mitsubishi, with declared consumption of 14 km/l. The hybrid reaches 245 HP of system power using a 2 kWh battery. The gearbox is a seven-speed dual clutch.
Forthing U-Tour
—
Against the current. In an Italian market dominated by SUVs (share of 26.4% for B-SUVs and 20.8% for C-SUVs), the Chinese Forthing opts to make its debut in Italy with a minivan (currently share of 1 .9%) from the massive lines to be placed alongside the T5. It is an MPV 485 cm long, 190 cm wide and 171.5 cm high, with a wheelbase of 290 cm and a tank capacity of 55 liters (consumption declared in the order of 13.3 km/l). The Mitsubishi engine is the 1,481 cc with 177 HP at 5,600 rpm and 285 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, combined with front-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Ten airbags and the curious 2-2-3 type seating arrangement on the seven-seater variants with electric, heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows, while for the 5-seater there is an N1 version approved as truck. In the second part of the year it will also be available with a full hybrid engine, for the moment you can choose between the bi-fuel LPG or petrol version. As for the interior, the use of leather, the electrically opening panoramic roof and the 360° camera stand out. It has LED headlights, a 10.25″ touch screen and even tables behind the front row seats.
Forthing Friday
—
It will arrive on the T5 platform Friday EV, a fully electric SUV with a peak power of 204 HP and 340 Nm given by the permanent magnet synchronous motor, while the autonomy will be 510 km thanks to the 85.9 kWh battery. It will have 8 airbags, Adas devices and level 2 autonomous driving. And, certainly not a secondary aspect, the Friday will be able to take advantage of eco-incentives. It will be 460 cm long, 186 wide and 168 high, with a wheelbase of 271.5 cm. The weight in running order will be 1900 kg, while the charging times indicate 8 hours for a complete recharge in AC at 11 kW and 45 minutes to go from 30 to 80% to a maximum direct current charging power of 80 kW. It will have McPherson strut independent front suspension with transverse stabilizer bar while at the rear we will find a multi-link. The front disc brakes will be ventilated and will work in synergy with 235/55-19″ tires. A Short Range version of the Friday EV will also arrive in the second half of 2024 with a 60 kWh battery for approximately 400 km of autonomy and the S7 EV, a sedan with a 57 kWh battery, will also be revealed.
Discover Gazzetta Adventure-Tribala, the new Gazzetta portal for booking Motori group trips with unforgettable adventures around the world
Network development, objectives and future
—
Of fundamental importance for potential buyers is know the capillarity of the network. Forthing expects to reach the second quarter of 2025 with an offer of 50 dealers with 100 sales points spread across the national territory and 130 assistance points (now there are 60) to which to turn for after-sales assistance. Only professional workshops duly trained and equipped with all support tools will be part of the network. All information relating to after-sales, availability of spare parts, warranty management, manuals and circulars will always be available on the network. Spare parts logistics is entrusted to Dps, while all Forthing cars will be covered by Axa roadside assistance. Furthermore, all models are guaranteed for 150,000 km or 5 years (the battery for hybrids is covered with a guarantee of 8 years or 160,000 km). The declared objective is to sell 1,040 cars in 2024, to then rise to 3,300 in 2025 and 4,800 in 2026.
