Chery Opens Public Vote to Name Its Diesel Plug‑In Hybrid Ute for Australia
The campaign signals a push to challenge leading utes with a diesel plug‑in hybrid tuned for heavy towing and long electric range.
Overview
- Chery opened public voting on a nine‑name shortlist for its KP31 dual‑cab ute, with polls closing May 19 on the company’s website.
- The finalists are Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate.
- Chery will give the naming‑contest winner the first ute delivered in Australia when the diesel plug‑in hybrid arrives between October and December 2026.
- The KP31 will launch with a diesel plug‑in hybrid setup that Chery claims can tow up to 3500kg, carry a 1000kg payload and drive up to about 170km on battery power using a 2.5‑litre engine.
- Trademark filings in Australia cover shortlist names and extras like Megalodon and Nullarbor, while the 'Orca' pitch—described as mightier than a shark—clearly targets BYD’s Shark 6; a petrol plug‑in hybrid with coil‑spring rear suspension is planned for 2027, while the diesel uses leaf springs to boost load capacity.