Come mid-2027, Chery will be hedging its bets with the soon-to-be-launched Stockman, which kicks off its Australian innings from late this year.
Driving Enthusiast understands there will also be a Jaecoo derivative of the plug-in hybrid 4×4 ute, which may also include petrol and leaf-sprung versions as well as the expected diesel and coil-sprung version.
Slated to arrive in the middle of 2027, the Jaecoo Stockman (if it retains the same nomenclature as its progenitor) may receive a different ‘top hat’ to distinguish it, so that it is not a case of cynical badge engineering.
Beneath the restyled sheet metal and bespoke cabin, however, the two vehicles will be mechanically identical. By sharing the same ladder-frame architecture, suspension hardware, and plug-in hybrid powertrains across both brands, the parent company can maximise manufacturing scale while simultaneously pitching to two distinct demographics in Australia’s massive dual-cab market.
The move would allow Chery to target traditional commercial and fleet buyers with a utilitarian approach, while the Jaecoo iteration would pursue private lifestyle and recreational customers looking for an upmarket aesthetic.
Offering both leaf-sprung and coil-sprung rear setups across the shared platform ensures work-ready variants retain the critical 3500kg braked towing capacity and 1000kg payload ratings, while premium grades are set to deliver greater unladen ride comfort. Providing both petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid options also gives local buyers the flexibility to tailor their purchase to regional towing duties or emissions-free urban commuting.
With Australia’s dual-cab segment accelerating rapidly towards electrification, fielding two uniquely styled offerings off the same mechanical package could give the brand a serious advantage against the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and BYD Shark 6.
After all, many car brands offer one or two versions of the same large SUV – why not do the same with the popular ute class?
