Forthing Electric recalled over drive motor cable defect affecting 263 Australian SUVs

Recall issued for the brand's first Australian model

Forthing Australia is recalling 263 examples of its electric mid-size SUV, produced in 2026, to rectify a manufacturing defect that may cause a loss of drive. CarExpert reports the affected vehicle is the Forthing Electric, which was revealed for Australia earlier this year as the Taikon 5 before being renamed following legal action over the name. The SUV is the brand's first model offered in Australia and is sized against the Toyota RAV4. ¹

The Australian recall listing published on official vehicle recall data identifies the affected vehicle as a 2026 "DONGFENG MOTOR CO., LTD. SX5GEV ELECTRIC", active as of 20 October 2026, with the same defect description given in the company's notice. ²

What the defect involves

According to the recall notice, "Due to a manufacturing defect, the drive motor high-voltage power cable may rub against its mounting bracket during normal vehicle operation and become damaged. This may result in a loss of motive power while driving." ¹

The notice states that "A loss of motive power while driving increases the risk of an accident, resulting in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users." CarExpert notes a vehicle identification number list and the original recall notice have been attached to its coverage for owners who want to check whether their vehicle is affected. ¹

Repair arrangements and which variants are excluded

Forthing Australia will contact owners of affected vehicles to arrange an inspection and repair at an authorised dealer, free of charge. Owners can also contact Forthing Australia directly on (02) 8577 8800, according to the recall notice reported by CarExpert. ¹

Only the battery-electric variant is affected. CarExpert reports the range-extender version, now sold as the Forthing Range Extender Hybrid, is not included in this recall. ¹

The renaming behind the model

The vehicle at the centre of the recall has already undergone one identity change before reaching this point. As 7NEWS, republishing CarExpert reporting, detailed in September, Porsche AG filed trademark oppositions concerning the Taikon 5 name in New Zealand, where Forthing launched in April 2026, and in Australia. Volkswagen, of which Porsche is the majority shareholder, lodged a separate opposition to the Australian application. ³

In its Australian opposition detailed on the IP Australia database, Porsche alleges Forthing parent Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor is using "substantially identical or deceptively similar trademarks" and that the application was made in bad faith. Porsche is expected to allege the Taikon 5 name is too similar to its Taycan electric sports car, though the German brand has not publicly specified the details of its claims. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor was required to respond to the opposition claims in September and October, and CarExpert reports the legal action appears to be ongoing. ³

Forthing Australia told CarExpert it had taken "the temporary and precautionary step of removing references to the Taikon 5 name from marketing materials due to a trademark infringement issue raised by Porsche AG in another country", saying it would focus on promoting the Forthing brand while the issue was unresolved. The model is now referred to as the Forthing Electric and the Forthing Range Extender Hybrid, with government approval documents having listed alternatives including T5 EV, SX5GEV and Friday REEV. ³

Pricing and positioning context

CarExpert reports the Forthing Electric is priced from $38,990 drive-away in Australia, with the Range Extender Hybrid starting $2000 less at $36,990 drive-away. When the model launched as the Taikon 5, 7NEWS and CarExpert reported the extended-range version was the cheapest EREV in Australian showrooms, undercutting the Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV, while the EV was priced below the BYD Atto 3 Essential. The four-variant range at launch spanned $36,990 to $42,490 drive-away. ¹³

Forthing vehicles in Australia and New Zealand are imported by Ateco Group, according to 7NEWS and CarExpert reporting. The brand is owned by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, which also has joint ventures with Honda and Nissan. ³