FORTHING TK Gulf launch: how importers should price it

The FORTHING TK's Paris debut aimed at the Gulf means Chinese makers now bundle ‘type approval plus fast-charging’ for overseas importers.For Gulf dealers the real question is not styling but whether the car registers on arrival, plugs into local chargers, and gets parts within 7 days.

Shown in Paris on 12 October, the TK5 targets young urban buyers with BEV and PHEV powertrains on an 800V architecture that eases range anxiety, plus an Armor battery safety system. The TK7 seats 5 to 8, offers 37 storage spots and 6.6kW vehicle-to-load, with 500 km electric and 1,100 km hybrid range. A V9 PHEV camping edition also appeared.

Beyond CIF, Gulf import duty runs 5% to 15%, then VAT and fees push total tax toward 30% of price, the slice most importers under-model.Importers must model landed cost.The TK5's 800V platform lets a 480kW charger add 200 km in 10 minutes, half the 400V wait; the TK7's 1,100 km hybrid range covers a 900 km Dubai-Riyadh run without refuelling.

Against Japanese and Korean fuel SUVs, the TK's edge is spec density and charging pace, not heritage.North African power is cheap, so the BEV's commute cost can sit near 0.1 yuan per km; the PHEV hedges the sparse Saharan charger network.

Request the WVTA certificate and Gulf homologation checklist from FORTHING's overseas division, then shortlist cities by 800V charger coverage; verify the 5% to 15% duty bracket with customs and build a CIF-versus-landed-cost table before ordering. Use the TK7's 1,100 km hybrid range as the hook for family buyers, start with a small trial batch, and scale on real sales data.

What are the main vehicle models exported from China?
Sedans, SUVs, pickups and new-energy (BEV/PHEV) models. Available brands and stock shift with demand; EZ Auto sources to order and matches left/right-hand drive and emission standards to your country instead of holding inventory.

How is used-car condition assured for export?
Before shipping, EZ Auto arranges third-party inspection — body, chassis, engine bay, paint thickness and accident history — with 50+ photos and a video report. You pay and ship only after confirmation.

Left-hand or right-hand drive — which to choose?
It depends on local traffic rules (most of SE Asia and the Middle East drive on the right; some Commonwealth areas on the left). EZ Auto verifies the rule first, then matches the correct steering side to avoid a wrong purchase.

What differs when exporting NEVs vs fuel vehicles?
NEVs require attention to battery compliance, transport safety and local charging standards; fuel vehicles focus on emission and fuel-economy certification. EZ Auto matches models to each destination's import criteria without mixing standards.

Do exported vehicles need modifications?
It depends on the destination (lighting, instrument units, right-hand-drive conversion, etc.). EZ Auto lists required modifications and costs at contract, completing them before shipment to avoid rework at port.

This article is published by EZ Auto. EZ Auto (Cheyixing Automobile Import & Export) specializes in exporting Chinese vehicles — new, used and parts — serving Latin America, Central Asia & CIS, Africa, the Middle East and the EU, with order-based sourcing, inspection with photo report, export documentation and ocean freight in one place.