New brands: it’s rapidly and organically become a regular series for us; we’re certainly never short of things to write about. So read on for your guide to the newest automotive brands in New Zealand, including one launched just today!
Forthing
Founded: 2016 (first use of Forthing name) Launched in NZ: April 2026 What does it sell? Taikon SUV in BEV or super hybrid.
Forthing has been introduced in NZ by Ateco Automotive. It’s not the first Chinese brand for the local operation; it already handles BYD. But while that’s a NZ-exclusive for the company, Forthing is part of a much larger rollout by Ateco across Australia and NZ.
The launch model for NZ is the Taikon medium-SUV, either in pure-electric form (150kW/240Nm, 400km range) or as a super hybrid (155kW combined) with up to 183km EV range and total 1150km on a full tank/charge.
Both powertrains are available in either Luxury or Exclusive specification: $39,990 and $44,990 for the super hybrid, $42,990 and $47,990 for the pure-electric.
Forthing is a division of Dongfeng, a brand that’s also represented here… but under a completely different company, Armstrong’s Distribution. Complicated, right?
Forthing made its first passenger car in 2001, but really established a unique identify in 2016, with the launch of the T5 Evo SUV that showcased a bespoke lion emblem for the brand. Forthing also held a “brand renewal” conference in 2021 to set out a unique direction for itself.
Denza
Founded: 2010 Launched in NZ: February 2026 What does it sell? B5 and B8 SUVs, D9 people mover.
Denza is BYD’s luxury brand and has a standalone presence here, distributed by BYD Australia & NZ (not Ateco Automotive, which handles BYD-branded vehicles). Complicated distribution arrangements are a theme among these new brands.
Denza was created in 2001 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, with its first China-only model launched in 2014. From 2021 there was significant restructuring, and by the end of 2024 BYD had taken over Mercedes-Benz’s shareholding completely.
Denza was launched in NZ with the B5 and B8 luxury SUVs, at prices ranging from $88,990-$117,900. They both share their underpinings and dual-motor plug-in hybrid technology with the BYD Shark 6 ute.
A more recent addition is the D9 luxury people mover, at $104,990 for the FWD model or $115,900 for the AWD.
BAIC
Founded: 1958 Launched in NZ: February 2026 What does it sell? X55 SUV, B30 SUV in ICE or hybrid.
State-owned BAIC is the sixth-largest automobile maker in China, selling vehicles both under its own own name (the acronym stands for “Bejing Automotive Industry Corporation”) and many others, including Arcfox for EVs – which is also a likely contender for NZ in the not-too-distant future.
For NZ, BAIC has opened with a focus on ICE and hybrid. There’s the $34,990 X55 urban SUV, but the star attraction is the retro-style B30 SUV, which really plays up on BAIC’s 4x4 history: it established China’s first joint venture with a western company in 1984, partnering with Jeep.
The B30 comes in 2WD or AWD, conventional combustion-engine or hybrid. Prices range from $39,990-$49,990 and all reflect a $3000 launch special offer that’s in effect until June.
GAC
Founded: 1997 as GAC Group, GAC Motor Company in 2008 for own-brand vehicles Launched in NZ: January 2026 What does it sell? Emzoom SUV, Aion SUV, M8 people mover.
State-owned GAC is the fifth-largest carmaker in China, with sub-brands including Aion, Hycan, Hyptec and Trumpchi. The name denotes Guangzhou Automobile Group and yes, you say it as an initialisation – G, A, C – rather than an acronym.
GAC has launched in NZ in three distinct categories. There’s the $31,990 Emzoom urban SUV, which is powered by a conventional combustion engine.
The pure-electric Aion V medium-SUV (“Aion” is a whole separate EV brand in China) comes in two versions, Premium and Luxury, for $49,990-$51,990.
And way up at the top is the M8, which GAC claims is NZ’s first PHEV people mover. There are standard and Luxury models, priced from $85,990-$89,990.
Dongfeng
Founded: 1969 Launched in NZ: December 2025 What does it sell? Box hatchback, Vigo SUV, 007 sedan.
Dongfeng is regarded as one of the “big four” state-owned carmakers (the top three are SAIC, Changan and FAW). It markets vehicles under its own brand but also many others, including Nammi, M-Hero and Voyah.
The range for NZ draws from different domestic market sub-brands, but they’re all sold under the Dongfeng brand here. They’re all EVs.
The Box got off to a rocky start with a less-than-ideal safety specification, but it’s just been introduced in updated “MY26” form including an increased airbag count (formerly two, now six), at a relaunch price of $29,990 until the end of May.
The $39,990 Vigo compact-SUV boasts distinctive styling and puts all of its effort into versatile and clever cabin features. It’s incredibly spacious for a vehicle of its size and even offers fold-flat back seats that can be combined with a custom-fit mattress.
The flagship of the lineup is something quite traditional, at least outwardly: the 007, a low-slung fastback/sedan. It comes in two models, the $54,990 RWD long range and the Performance AWD, which can hit 100km/h in a blistering 3.9 seconds.
XPeng
Founded: 2014 Launched in NZ: December 2025 What does it sell? G6 SUV.
Xpeng was founded by a group of former GAC executives in 2014, with interests that include AI-assisted cars… and even flying cars.
The hero model is the G6, a medium SUV that comes in standard or long range, RWD or AWD. The long range Performance models boast 358kW and can hit 100km/h in 4.13 seconds. Prices range from $59,990-$75,490.
The X9 people mover is also NZ-bound, with pricing yet to be confirmed.
Geely
Founded: 1986 (automotive since 1997) Launched in NZ: April 2025 What does it sell? EX5 and Starray EM-i SUVs, Riddara ute.
The Geely brand now numbers two for NZ, the EX5 EV ($45,990-$56,990) joined by the Starray EM-i ($45,990-$49,490), an SUV of similar dimensions that uses a “super hybrid” plug-in powertrain: 83km electric range and an overall distance of nearly 1000km on a full tank/charge.
Or maybe that’s three? There’s also the intriguing $69,990 Riddara RD6 Pro, a dual-cab ute with pure-electric power. It’s not strictly a Geely, because the company treats “Riddara” as a separate brand; but it does wear a Geely badge on its tailgate and it shares showroom space with EX5 and Starray EM-i.
Riddara is based on a passenger-vehicle platform, so it’s as much a car as pickup truck. It doesn’t claim to offer the ultimate in 4x4 ability, with independent suspension all-round, but it’s surprisingly capable, with dual-motor AWD that really gets to grips with loose surfaces and uneven ground.
It also delivers on some key ute stats: it can tow 3000kg and offers a payload of 1030kg.
There’s a bigger Kiwi business story around Geely. As is well-known, Geely is now a sprawling automotive giant: under its various companies it has owned Volvo since 2010 and Lotus since 2017. It’s technically a partner with Volvo (but also the parent company) in Polestar (2017). And there’s much more.
The above is relevant because NZ Geely importer Giltrap Group has formed a new division called NordEast that brings six different Geely brands together under one umbrella for the first time, anywhere in the world.
So that’s Geely, Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. Only four, right? But now there are two more: Zeekr and Farizon.
Zeekr
Founded: 2021 Launched in NZ: September 2025 What does it sell? X and 7X SUVs, 009 luxury people mover.
Zeekr is Geely’s luxury-EV brand. It’s very young, but has grown quickly in international stature, expanding first into Europe in 2023 and from 2024 into various other markets.
The 7X ($69,990-$94,990) is Zeekr’s newest vehicle, with some versions featuring a “Golden Battery” capable of extremely high-speed charging. It’s a medium-SUV aimed at the premium market, but it also has a smaller sibling, simply named X; that one shares quite a lot of its technology with the Volvo EX30 and costs $59,990-$69,990.
The most niche, but also most outrageous Zeekr offering for NZ is the 009 luxury people-mover ($157,990-$162,990), which offers a lounge-like rear compartment.
Farizon
Founded: 2016 Launched in NZ: August 2025 What does it sell? V7E and SV vans.
Farizon is a Geely subsidiary (also part of NordEast in NZ) formed to develop pure-electric commercial vehicles.
The newest model for NZ is the V7E, which enters the traditional medium-van market at price-parity to diesel models. It’s priced from $55,990 and offers a 67kWh battery with a 100kW motor and up to 329km range (WLTP).
Farizon is also continuing with its original SV (”SuperVan”), which comes with two battery sizes and in three different lengths. It’s priced from $74,990-$89,990.