Forthing
Forthing is a Chinese automobile marque owned by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, offering passenger cars, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, MPVs, SUVs, sedans, and vans.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Forthing, also known as Dongfeng Fengxing, is an automobile marque operated by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group in China. The brand was introduced in 2001 under the Chinese name Fengxing, written 风行 and pronounced Fēngxing. Although its English branding later adopted the name Forthing, the Chinese name remained Fengxing. The marque has historically displayed the Dongfeng emblem, reflecting its place within the broader Dongfeng brand portfolio. Forthing developed as a broad-based vehicle brand rather than a narrowly focused specialist marque. Its range has included compact and midsize sport utility vehicles, sedans, multipurpose vehicles, passenger vans, and commercial-oriented vans. Earlier products included the Jingyi family, which was marketed as Joyear in some overseas markets, together with the Jingyi S50 sedan, S500 MPV, CM7 van, and Lingzhi van series. Certain models have also been exported to Latin America, including Chile and Peru, where vehicles have appeared under Dongfeng, DFM, or DFLZ branding rather than always using Forthing as the consumer-facing name. The brand entered a more visible redesign phase in the early 2020s. On 17 November 2020, Dongfeng Fengxing introduced the T5 EVO crossover and revealed a new lion emblem. The T5 EVO was the first Forthing product to carry that updated badge. The emblem and the associated visual identity were formally presented again at a brand renewal conference in Shanghai on 10 June 2021. The renewal positioned the lion as a symbol of confidence, fearlessness, and forward movement, represented in the accompanying slogan as “Confidence, Fearlessness, and Bravery Forward.” The change indicated an effort to give Fengxing/Forthing a more distinct identity within the Dongfeng portfolio. Forthing's more recent product activity has expanded toward electrified mobility. The range has included battery-electric versions such as the S50 EV and the Xinghai T5, also referred to as Leiting, as well as plug-in hybrid and new-energy MPV and sedan products in the Xinghai line. The Yacht, also called the 4 U-Tour, serves the midsize MPV segment, while the Xinghai V9 occupies a larger plug-in hybrid MPV category. The Xinghai S7 extends the newer product direction into battery-electric sedans. At the same time, the Lingzhi series remains an important part of the marque's people-mover and van offering, with Lingzhi, M5, M7, and Lingzhi Plus variants. Forthing therefore combines legacy utility vehicles and family-oriented MPVs with newer SUVs, sedans, and electrified models. Its market identity is closely linked to Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor and the Chinese automobile industry, while selected exports broaden the brand's presence beyond China. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate listed entity, independent founder, standalone headquarters, or a distinct corporate ownership structure apart from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor and Dongfeng Motor Group.
History
Forthing is the English-facing name of Dongfeng Fengxing, an automobile marque owned by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, which operates within Dongfeng Motor Group. The brand began in 2001 using the Chinese Fengxing name. Unlike some independent automotive marques, Forthing has remained closely associated with the Dongfeng identity: its products historically carried the Dongfeng emblem, and the marque's ownership and manufacturing context are tied to Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor. During its earlier development, Forthing built a varied portfolio aimed at Chinese family transportation and practical vehicle use. The Jingyi range included multipurpose vehicles and sport utility vehicles, while the Jingyi S50 provided a sedan offering. The company also produced the S500 MPV, the CM7, and the Lingzhi family of vans. Jingyi products were known as Joyear in some overseas markets. Export vehicles have also appeared in Latin American countries such as Chile and Peru under Dongfeng, DFM, or DFLZ names, showing that Forthing's international identity has not always been uniform. The marque's visual identity changed at the end of the 2010s and beginning of the 2020s. On 17 November 2020, the T5 EVO crossover was launched and a new lion emblem was unveiled. The T5 EVO became the first product to wear the revised badge. On 10 June 2021, a renewal event in Shanghai provided a broader presentation of the new identity. The event included a concept vehicle dedicated to family mobility and formalized the new emblem and slogan. The lion symbol was associated with confidence, fearlessness, and a forward-looking attitude, summarized by the phrase “Confidence, Fearlessness, and Bravery Forward.” Following the renewal, Forthing's model development increasingly included electrified vehicles. The S50 EV and S60 EV represented earlier battery-electric sedan applications, while later products included the Xinghai T5, also called Leiting, and the plug-in hybrid Xinghai V9. The Forthing Yacht, or 4 U-Tour, broadened the family MPV range, and the Xinghai S7 extended the newer product family into battery-electric midsize sedans. The brand has continued to combine these newer vehicles with the Lingzhi series, including the Lingzhi, Lingzhi M5, Lingzhi M7, and Lingzhi Plus. The documented product history shows a transition from a utility- and family-vehicle portfolio toward a more differentiated marque with a refreshed badge, dedicated design language, SUVs, larger MPVs, and new-energy models. Forthing remains part of Dongfeng's corporate architecture rather than a separately documented public company. Available reference material does not identify an independent founder, standalone listed-company status, or a separate corporate headquarters for the brand.
- 2025
Xinghai S7 listed as a current battery-electric sedan
[1]The Xinghai S7 was listed as a midsize battery-electric sedan in the current model range.
- 2024
Xinghai V9 listed as a current plug-in hybrid MPV
[1]The Xinghai V9 entered the documented current range as a full-size plug-in hybrid MPV.
- 2023
Xinghai T5/Leiting added as a battery-electric variant
[1]The product range included the Xinghai T5, also known as Leiting, as a battery-electric SUV variant.
- 2021
Brand renewal formalized
[1]A Shanghai renewal conference introduced the new emblem, a family-mobility concept vehicle, and the renewed brand slogan.
- 2020
T5 EVO and lion emblem unveiled
[1]The T5 EVO crossover was launched and became the first documented Forthing product to carry the marque's new lion emblem.
- 2001
Fengxing brand launched
[1]Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor introduced the automobile marque under the Chinese Fengxing name, later represented in English as Forthing.
Products and positioning
A broad Chinese automobile marque serving family mobility, SUV, MPV, van, and increasingly electrified vehicle segments, with selected international distribution under Forthing or related Dongfeng branding.
Compact SUV · 2018
Forthing T5
The T5 is a compact SUV in the Forthing range, representing the marque's family-oriented sport utility offering. It was listed as a current model beginning in 2018.
Compact SUV · 2020
Forthing T5 EVO
Introduced in 2020, the T5 EVO is a compact crossover and the first Forthing product documented as using the marque's redesigned lion emblem.
Midsize MPV · 2022
Forthing Yacht / 4 U-Tour
The Yacht, also marketed as the 4 U-Tour, is a midsize multipurpose vehicle aimed at family and passenger mobility. It has been listed as a current model since 2022.
Full-size plug-in hybrid MPV · 2024
Forthing Xinghai V9
The Xinghai V9 is a full-size MPV using a plug-in hybrid powertrain and forms part of Forthing's newer Xinghai electrification-oriented range.
Midsize battery-electric sedan · 2025
Forthing Xinghai S7
The Xinghai S7 is a midsize battery-electric sedan listed in the marque's newer product family.
Compact battery-electric sedan · 2016
Forthing S50 EV
The S50 EV is a compact electric sedan and one of Forthing's documented battery-electric passenger-car products.
MPV and van series · 2001
Forthing Lingzhi series
The Lingzhi family is a long-running Forthing range of practical passenger and commercial-oriented vans. Documented variants include the Lingzhi, M5, M7, and Lingzhi Plus.
MPVs, sedans, and SUVs · 2007
Forthing Jingyi series
The Jingyi family formed an important earlier part of the marque's portfolio, including the Jingyi MPV, Jingyi S50 sedan, and Jingyi X3, X5, and X6 SUV variants. Some overseas versions were known as Joyear.
Full-size MPV · 2014
Forthing CM7
The CM7 was a larger Forthing multipurpose vehicle positioned within the brand's passenger-van and MPV portfolio.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Forthing brand renewal
China
Forthing presented a renewed visual identity at a Shanghai conference, combining the lion emblem with a family-mobility concept and a slogan focused on confidence, fearlessness, and moving forward.
Outcome. The renewal established the lion badge and associated positioning as the marque's updated identity.
Brand decisions
2021
Formalized the renewed Forthing brand directionStrategyBackground
The marque held a renewal conference in Shanghai after introducing the new badge on the T5 EVO.
Action taken
Forthing presented a family-mobility concept car, confirmed the updated emblem, and promoted the slogan “Confidence, Fearlessness, and Bravery Forward.”
Aftermath
The renewal provided the stated identity framework for subsequent SUV, MPV, sedan, and new-energy products.
2020
Adopted a new lion emblemStrategyBackground
Forthing sought a more distinctive identity within the Dongfeng portfolio as it introduced the T5 EVO crossover.
Action taken
The brand unveiled a lion emblem, with the T5 EVO becoming the first documented vehicle to use it.
Aftermath
The emblem was subsequently incorporated into the broader brand renewal presented in 2021.
Recent events
Dongfeng Fengxing launches updated 2021 T5[2]
Dongfeng Fengxing launched the 2021 T5 in China with configuration upgrades and six variants priced from 69,900 to 129,900 yuan.
Sources2 sources
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