Chery is planning to introduce a new ute for the dual-cab segment, and it’s coming to Australia later this year. It’ll compete against the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, as well as the upcoming Kia ute and 2025 GWM ute.
Carscoops, along with digital artist Josh Byrnes (he also created our exclusive Kia ute renderings), have come up with some renderings of the new Chery based on an insider source. The new pickup is set to receive the complex front grille treatment from the Omoda 5, with diamond-shaped segments blending into the headlights.
Along the sides we can expect curvy contours with fine outlines around the wheel arches, a high waistline, and then a modern rear end featuring crisp taillights with four horizontal bars, and a sculpted rear bumper with its own light segments.
As for the hardware underneath, it’s understood Chery is planning two utes for the near future. One is set to be more of a crossover-style recreational model, a bit like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, while the other is more of a heavy-duty model and is the one depicted here. It’s expected to launch first.
The latter will feature a proper ladder-frame chassis, likely with live-axle rear suspension, a proper transfer case with low range, and a differential lock. It’s unclear how many variants will be offered in Australia, but a mid-to-upper trim is the most probable. A ‘council-spec’ version is not expected, at least not initially.
Power sources are yet to be discovered but most of the speculation points to a plug-in hybrid and electric setup, with a possible turbo-petrol. If we take a look at Chery’s current offerings, the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 7 Pro, both of these feature a 1.6 turbo-petrol, with a 1.5L version also presented in the Omoda.
We doubt the ute will launch with a 1.6L unit as most options in this class come with 2.0L-plus engines. That size wouldn’t be ideal for towing or carrying a heavy payload. But, assisted with hybrid tech, it might just suffice.
The Carscoops report mentions an electric setup, equipped with dual motors to belt out 353kW. There’s also talk of a battery-swapping concept making its way into the ute, which could be spawned through Chery’s recent partnership with fellow Chinese carmaker and EV specialist, NIO.
Chery and NIO signed a deal earlier this year, with JAC (Jianghuai Automobile Co). NIO already has a battery-swapping system in place, for 75kWh and 100kWh systems. NIO recently surpassed a milestone of installing 2000 swap stations around China, known as PSS (power swap stations). This could be a good technology for a workhorse as it would reduce downtime otherwise caused by charging. There is currently no infrastructure for this in Australia.
As for the name, nothing official has been confirmed yet. However, there are a number of registered trademarks filed in Australia for various names, under Chery. There’s the Jaecoo, registered under class 12; automobiles, electric vehicles. It was entered into the register in February 2023.
There’s also Exlantix, entered into the register in November, and Coogaar but its acceptance isn’t due until April 2025 (currently listed as ‘first report’ on January 18). Similar filings were made for Couggo, accepted just 10 days ago, as well as Lepas and Lepus.
None of these guarantee anything, though. Sometimes manufacturers trademark a name purely to protect it and stop others from taking it.
We should know more in the coming months. Chery has previously said it is keen to explore the possibilities of partnering up with another brand to share development costs and technology. In a Carsales report from 2022, Chery International executive vice-president, Charlie Zhang, is quoted as saying:
“According to our planning we will develop two pick-ups. One small-medium sized, the other is a large one, with electric or PHEV. That is something we are planning for. Also for the traditional pickup, we will see if there are emerging opportunities for us – we will see if we can do it through mergers or acquisitions.”
