Geely's Electric Ute Is Coming But Will Aussies Buy It?

Geely, the Chinese automotive powerhouse behind Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, is making a serious push into Australia's car market and this time, it's looking to tap into the country's love affair with utes. But instead of a rugged, diesel-guzzling workhorse, Geely plans on launching an all electric lifestyle pickup: the Riddara RD6.

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A New Kind of Ute for Australia

Australia is a ute-loving nation, with three of the country's top ten best-selling vehicles in this category. Traditionally, utes have been heavy-duty, diesel-powered machines built for towing, off-roading, and long-haul reliability. Geely, however, seems to be taking a different approach, offering an all-electric, car-based pickup that challenges the conventional definition of what an ute should be.

The Riddara RD6, already confirmed by Geely's global group for Australia, is built on passenger-car underpinnings rather than a traditional ladder-frame chassis. This means a smoother ride, more efficient energy use, and a design that caters more to urban adventurers and weekend warriors rather than hardcore tradies.

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What We Know About the Riddara RD6

The RD6 is currently sold in China under the Radar brand, but due to a trademark issue with Singapore's Radar Tyres, it's being rebranded for export markets. There's a chance it could wear a Geely badge in Australia, though that decision is still up in the air.

Regarding specs, the RD6 promises over 500km of range (based on China's CLTC testing cycle) and comes in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations. While full Australian specs and pricing remain unconfirmed, this ute could offer an interestng alternative for drivers who want a pickup's practicality without a diesel engine's noise and emissions.

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Geely's Australian Expansion Plans

Geely's interest in the Australian market goes beyond just the RD6. After a short-lived attempt at selling budget sedans in Western Australia two decades ago, the brand is making a significant comeback with plans to establish itself as one of the country's top ten best-selling carmakers.

The company has already confirmed two new models for Australia: the EX5 and the Starship 7, both sold under the Geely Galaxy name in China. Within the next three years, Geely plans to launch at least six models locally, all built on its global electrified vehicle architecture. This includes fully electric models as well as plug-in hybrids and range-extender EVs.

Geely Australia boss Lei Li confirmed that a ute is on the company's radar, stating, "We know Australians love their pickups. We understand that. We are looking at these opportunities now, but probably someday [we will have a ute]."

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Could Geely Build Its Own Ute for Australia?

If the Riddara RD6 doesn't arrive under the Geely nameplate, the company may need to develop its own ute to compete in Australia's highly competitive market. With electrification at the core of its global strategy, we'll unlikely see a traditional diesel-powered Geely ute, expect a plug-in hybrid or fully electric model instead.

This could put Geely in direct competition with the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid or the LDV eTerron 9. Given the brand's aggressive expansion plans , including a goal of establishing over 100 dealerships across the country, Geely seems determined to carve out its space in Australia's growing EV market.

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The Verdict: Will Geely's Riddara RD6 Work for Aussies?

The big question is whether Australian buyers will embrace an electric ute that prioritises lifestyle over heavy-duty capabilities. While the RD6's range, technology, and efficiency could appeal to eco-conscious drivers, the lack of a traditional body-on-frame design might be a deal breaker for those who rely on their utes for tough workloads.

Even if the RD6 is not a proto-typical ute in Australia, it could reshape Australian buyers perception of what a ute can be.