Key Points
- Chery has named its upcoming Australian ute the Stockman, selected from more than 20,000 public submissions.
- The Stockman will be Australia's first diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, with a leaf-sprung rear end rated for 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing.
- Pricing, full specifications will be shared closer to the ute's arrival later in 2026.
Chery has confirmed the name for its first Australian ute: the Stockman. The name was selected through a public competition that drew more than 20,000 submissions. A Victorian entrant, Steve Kodikara, submitted the winning entry and will receive the first Stockman delivered in Australia.
The Stockman will be Australia's first diesel plug-in hybrid ute, targeting buyers who need genuine work capability alongside electrified efficiency. Chery has not confirmed pricing or a firm delivery date but says launch is planned for later in 2026.
How the name was chosen
Chery opened a public naming competition earlier this year for its KP31 ute, which had previously been shown only as a pre-production prototype. The shortlist included Orca, Terra, Outrider, Ridgeback, Ironbark, Longreach, Bushwalker, and Mate. Chery filed trademark applications with IP Australia for a number of these names to keep the result hidden.
Stockman received more than 25 per cent of approximately 12,000 votes cast. A stockman is a person who manages livestock on a pastoral station.
Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris said in a press release that Stockman stood out because it reflected both Australian heritage and the capability of the new ute. Harris credited Kodikara's submission with bringing the name to life through what he described as a compelling story.
The Stockman name has been used in Australia before. Suzuki applied it to small utes based on the Sierra off-roader sold locally in the 1980s and 1990s.
Diesel PHEV first, petrol PHEV to follow
The Stockman will launch with a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, which Chery says will make it the first diesel PHEV ute on sale in Australia. A petrol PHEV variant is planned for 2027.
The two powertrains use different suspension setups. The diesel PHEV uses a leaf-sprung rear end, the setup typically associated with heavy-duty payload and towing. The petrol PHEV will run coil-spring rear suspension, more common in passenger-focused vehicles.
Chery Stockman Diesel PHEV: Confirmed Capability Figures
Specification | Diesel PHEV |
Rear suspension | Leaf spring |
Payload | 1000 kg |
Braked towing | 3500 kg |
Differentials | Locking front, centre, and rear |
Engine output figures, battery capacity, electric-only range, and charging specifications have not been confirmed. Chery says full powertrain details will be released closer to launch.
Exterior and interior details
Pre-production prototype images have revealed an exterior with integrated rear steps, six-stud wheels, front and rear bash plates, and a snorkel. The design is consistent with work-focused utes.
The interior takes a different direction. Chery is targeting a premium cabin, with planned features including heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. Which of these will be standard or optional across different variants has not been confirmed.
Where the Stockman fits in Chery's plans
The Stockman is based on the KP31 platform first shown at the 2025 Chengdu motor show under Chery's Rely brand. At that event, Rely also revealed a smaller electric ute, the KP2X, and confirmed development of a larger KP4X that could compete with full-size American pickups including the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, and Ram 1500.
Separately, Chery's Jetour sub-brand has revealed the F700 ute for Australia, with a possible arrival as soon as late 2027.
Chery has stated it wants to be a top-five passenger vehicle brand in Australia by 2027. The Stockman is central to that target given the size of the ute segment.
What is still unconfirmed
Chery has confirmed the name and headline capability figures. The following details have not yet been released:
- Drive-away or recommended retail price
- Engine output and battery specifications
- Electric-only driving range
- Charging speed and connector type
- Variant and trim level breakdown
- Firm delivery date beyond later in 2026
Chery says full specifications and pricing will be released closer to launch.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
