Chery is getting ready to throw its hat into Australia’s crowded 4×4 ute market with the Stockman, a diesel hybrid that looks to have a few tricks up its sleeve.

With 350kW, 800Nm, front and rear diff locks, a locking centre differential and 3495kg of towing capacity, the Stockman isn’t short on numbers. It also gets more than 247mm of ground clearance and a 34kWh battery, with Chery claiming up to 96km of electric driving range on the WLTP cycle.

There’s more to the Stockman than what’s on the spec sheet, too. Chery has brought in Australian engineering outfit Premcar to help tune the ute for local roads and conditions, while Ironman 4×4 is developing a range of accessories for owners looking to set theirs up for touring and off road use.

Reservations opened in October 2026, with deliveries due to kick off on February 1, 2027. There’s still plenty we don’t know, including final Australian pricing, but the Stockman is shaping up as an interesting new option for anyone shopping for a dual cab with a bit more going on under the skin.

Here’s everything we know about it!

JUMP AHEAD

October 2026: Ironman 4×4 loads up Stockman with off-road gear

Chery has partnered with Australian owned Ironman 4×4 to offer a range of accessories for the Stockman, available to order through Chery dealerships. The line up covers the usual touring and off road upgrades, including an aluminium bull bar, steel side steps, roof rack, canopy, roller drawers, tow bar and suspension lift.

The APEX bull bar includes a 12,000lb winch cradle, rated recovery points and a 4mm front skid plate, while the Raid canopy offers solid or glass doors and optional central locking. Ironman’s IM2.5 suspension kit provides a 50mm lift front and rear, with spring options for constant loads of 200kg or 300kg.

The accessories have been adapted and tested for the Stockman, with relevant components using 5052 aluminium alloy. Ironman 4×4 will also match Chery’s seven year manufacturer warranty on accessories ordered with the ute, while a federally approved GVM upgrade with increased axle load ratings is expected to follow after launch.

October 2026: Aussie specs confirmed

Chery confirmed Australian specifications for the Stockman in October 2026, revealing a 2.5 litre turbo diesel plug in hybrid powertrain producing a combined 350kW and 800Nm. A 34kWh battery provides a claimed electric driving range of up to 96km on the WLTP cycle, while an 80 litre fuel tank adds touring range.

The Stockman will have all wheel drive, front, centre and rear diff locks, more than 247mm of ground clearance and all terrain tyres. Towing capacity is rated at 3495kg braked and 750kg unbraked, with double wishbone front suspension and leaf springs at the rear.

Inside, Chery confirmed a 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6 inch infotainment touchscreen and a 14 speaker audio system, along with a suite of driver assistance technology.

Chery also released an indicative specification sheet detailing features including low range, selectable terrain modes, crawl control and tight turn assist. Some figures, including GVM, GCM and kerb weight, remain indicative and could change before the Stockman reaches Australian showrooms.

October 2026: Reservations open ahead of February 2027 arrival

Chery opened online reservations for the Stockman on October 1, 2026, ahead of customer deliveries scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027.

Early customers who reserve the ute online can receive a $2000 Bunnings gift card and three years or 45,000km of complimentary scheduled servicing. The offer applies until official sales commence, subject to terms and conditions. Chery has yet to announce Australian pricing or final model grades, with further details expected closer to the Stockman’s showroom arrival.

August 2026: Premcar to tune Stockman for Australian conditions

Chery has enlisted Australian engineering outfit Premcar to test and validate the Stockman’s ride and handling ahead of its local launch. The Melbourne based company has almost 30 years of experience developing vehicles for Australian conditions, including Nissan’s Warrior models and the Mitsubishi Triton Raider.

Rather than starting from scratch, Premcar will assess Chery’s existing suspension and ride and handling calibration across a range of local conditions. That means testing how the Stockman deals with everything from urban streets and highways to construction sites and remote off road tracks.

July 2026: More details revealed

Chery revealed more details of its upcoming Stockman in July 2026, confirming a 2.5 litre turbo diesel powertrain producing a claimed 350kW and 800Nm. The system combines diesel power with electric assistance, with claimed fuel consumption of 2.0L/100km and up to 100km of electric only driving range on the NEDC cycle.

The Stockman will offer 3500kg of braked towing capacity and 750kg unbraked, alongside four wheel drive, front, centre and rear diff locks, crawl control and tight turn assist. Ground clearance is rated at 247mm, with all terrain tyres and double wishbone front suspension paired with leaf springs at the rear.

Measuring 5450mm long, 2010mm wide and 1890mm tall, the Stockman has a 3250mm wheelbase and a 1560mm by 1560mm cargo tub. Inside, it will feature leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging, dual zone climate control and premium audio.

Chery also confirmed that the Stockman’s suspension and driver assistance systems would be tuned for Australian conditions. A petrol plug in hybrid version was planned to join the range in 2027, with Australian pricing and model grades still to be announced at the time.

June 2026: Chery confirms name after public vote

Chery has confirmed its new diesel plug in hybrid ute will be called the Stockman, following a nationwide naming competition that attracted more than 20,000 entries. The winning name received more than 25 per cent of the public vote, with more than 12,000 Australians taking part in the final round.

The winning entry came from Victorian Steve Kodikara, who will receive the first Stockman to arrive in Australia. He chose the name for its connection to Australia’s stockmen, representing the reliability, toughness and ability to handle challenging terrain expected of a working ute.

Stockman beat finalists including Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate. The name also has some history in Australia, having previously been used by Suzuki for a work focused version of the Sierra in the 1990s.

The Stockman will be Chery Australia’s first ute and is set to combine diesel power with plug in hybrid technology. Further details, including pricing and final specifications, were still to be confirmed when the name was announced in June 2026.

May 2026: Final names shortlisted from public submissions

Chery has shortlisted nine names for its upcoming plug in hybrid diesel ute after receiving more than 20,000 entries in a nationwide naming competition. The shortlist includes Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate.

The names draw on themes of Australian outback heritage, toughness and off road capability, with entrants asked to explain why their suggestion suited the new dual cab. Some took a more playful approach, with Dropbear and B Ute among the entries that didn’t make the final cut.

The ute is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms later in 2026, with a diesel electric plug in hybrid powertrain, 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity.

Public voting opened on May 5 and closed on May 19, 2026, with the winning name to be announced ahead of the ute’s local launch. The person behind the successful entry will receive the first example to arrive in Australia

March 2026: Utey McUteface? Australians get to name Chery’s world-first plug-in hybrid diesel ute

Chery invited Australians to name its upcoming plug in hybrid diesel ute ahead of its local launch, with the winner set to take home the first example to arrive in the country. The competition opened on March 12, 2026, with entrants asked to suggest a name and explain why it suited the new dual cab.

The ute was then known by its internal code, KP31, and was billed as the world’s first plug in hybrid diesel ute. Chery said it was being developed with Australian buyers in mind, targeting a 1000kg payload and 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity.

Entries were reviewed by Chery, with a shortlist progressing to a public vote to decide the final name. The competition closed on March 26, with the winning entrant to receive the ute when it arrived in Australia later in the year.

February 2026: Chery KP31 Concept unveiled as world’s first PHEV diesel ute

Chery unveiled the KP31 concept in February 2026, previewing a production dual cab ute due in the fourth quarter of the year.

It pairs a 2.5 litre turbo diesel with electric assistance, with claimed thermal efficiency of 47 per cent and 10 per cent better fuel economy than a typical diesel powertrain. Payload is rated at 1000kg, with 3.5 tonnes of towing capacity.

The concept features a squared off body, upright headlights, a snorkel, 285/70 R17 all terrain tyres and a tub rack carrying recovery tracks. It measures 5610mm long, although the production model is expected to be shorter at 5450mm.

Chery also claimed the diesel hybrid powertrain would reduce vibration by 30 per cent compared with conventional diesel engines. The KP31 concept was finished in matte grey, with prominent Chery badging and a practical rear bumper step. A petrol plug in hybrid variant is also planned for 2027, expanding the range beyond the diesel hybrid model.

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