Forthing Marque Previewed at GATE 2025 – 2 Models Shown, Dec 2025 Launch & SKD Planned

Making a quiet and surprising preview at GATE 2025 happening now at the KL Convention Centre is an upcoming new Chinese auto marque called Forthing.

The  Global Automotive and Technology Expo 2025 (GATE 2025) happening from now (Nov 12) until Nov 14 at the KL Convention Centre has sprung us with a surprise. Quietly previewed here is an upcoming new Chinese auto marque called Forthing.

From what Carz.com.my can gather after speaking with brand representatives present on ground at GATE 2025, this appears to be a serious and concentrated effort complete with plans for ‘partial localisation’ (SKD). Here’s everything we can tell you thus far:

Owned by Dongfeng, the Forthing marque bears a lion badge that represents its "Confidence, Fearlessness, and Bravery Forwards" motto.

Who Is ‘Forthing’?

Forthing, initially established as ‘Dongfeng Fengxing’ in 2001 before being renamed at at undisclosed point, is an auto marque wholly owned by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor – a division of Chinese automaking giants Dongfeng Motor Group.

The marque bears a striking lion badge introduced in 2021 that represents its “Confidence, Fearlessness, and Bravery Forwards” ethos. Besides its Chinese home market, the marque is active across South America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Depending on market region, the marque may be marketed as ‘Dongfeng Forthing’ instead. Whilst it primarily serves left-hand-drive (LHD) markets, it also has right-hand-drive (RHD) offerings on hand, and one of which was shown today at GATE 2025.

The Forthing marque is set to be distributed by PJ-based Wide Premium Sdn Bhd.

How Is It Entering Malaysia?

Speaking with representatives at its GATE 2025 booth, the Forthing marque will be distributed by a local firm called Wide Premium Sdn Bhd. Said company has a listed office address in Dataran Prima, Petaling Jaya (Selangor).

We don’t have much else to divulge about the firm. However, we can confirm it is totally separate endeavour from the PEKEMA-runned CADB firm – distributors of the also Dongfeng-branded Box EV hatch that launched in Nov last year.

Critically, the firm looks set to officially launch the brand in Malaysia as early as next month – Dec 2025. Expect more details, especially info surrounding its local dealership network, to be revealed then. What’s critical here is the next fact…

Notably, the initial offerings from Forthing are set to launch as 'SKD' units - partially localised - and distributors Wide Premium Sdn Bhd confirmed it has partnered with contract assemblers EPMB for which.

You Mentioned ‘Partial localisation’?

Yes. Forthing representatives have indicated explicitly that they will begin with ‘partial localisation’ of its initial offerings – in other words, ‘semi knocked down’ or ‘SKD’, not ‘completely knocked down’ or ‘CKD’.

This means Forthing models will arrive partially assembled for final assembly in Malaysia with limited degree of locally-sourced parts. The same representatives have also confirmed that they’ve partnered with Melaka-based EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) for which.

The same representatives we spoke with elected not to divulge further details, but we are willing to bet and speculate that full-on CKD may be in the pipelines – at least for the long term. Perhaps SKD is the ideal now way to get the brand started rapidly.

Two models were shown, those being the Forthing Friday C-SUV (left) and Forthing U-Tour V9 luxury MPV (right).

What’s On Offer?

Previewed at GATE 2025 were both the Forthing Friday C-SUV and U-Tour V9 luxury MPV models, Notably, the former was shown in both RHD and REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) guise, whilst the latter was presented as a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Notably, the Forthing Friday shown at GATE 2025 was in both RHD and REEV guise. Wide Premium Sdn Bhd representatives have confirmed a fully-electric (EV) version will also be readied, and it aims to to price it between RM140,000 (EV) and RM150,000 (REEV).

Furthermore, our source also confirmed that the Friday C-SUV model specifically is poised to arrive in both REEV and fully electric (EV) forms too. The same source even disclosed targeted prices of RM140,000 (EV) and RM150,000 (REEV) for which too.

in turn, this will see the Forthing Friday geared up to rival against the Proton e.MAS 7, MG S5 EV, BYD Atto 3, Jaecoo J7 PHEV, as well as the upcoming next-gen Nissan X-Trail e-Power, all at once.

Also previewed, albeit in LHD form, was the Forthing U-Tour V9 PHEV luxury MPV. Details for which remain scarce, but an official brand launch is slated to take place next month (Dec).

The U-Tour V9 PHEV three-row luxury MPV instead will be in line to rival against both the recently launched GAC M8 and the upcoming GWM Wey G9. In other words, there will soon be enough Chinese alternatives to woo the quintessential Alphard and Vellfire buyers.

As for timeline and targeted price, brand representatives indicate plans to launch this electrified luxury MPV locally much later - circa end of next year (2026). They've also indicated a targeted price tag of RM250,000 for which.

We will detail both the Forthing Friday REEV/EV (left) and Forthing U-Tour V9 PHEV (right) separately. Stay tuned...

More To Come…

We’ll have full details and specifications of both models shortly through separate reports shortly. In the meantime though, that’s everything we can divulge in brief about this upcoming new upstart Chinese marque entering what is now a rather ‘crowded’ local market.

Given what we’ve detailed, what do folks reckon then? Would you welcome yet another left-field Chinese alternative? What sort of chances would you give this brand in the coming years? As usual, hit the comments below with your thoughts…