Chery confirms new variant for the 2026 Chery Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid ute to battle Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger

Chery has confirmed its all-new Stockman ute will arrive later this year with all the “bells and whistles” but has revealed to CarsGuide plans for a more work-focused variant to target the tradie audience.

Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris has laid out the plan for the initial Stockman offerings, ruling out plans for a single cab variant with the new ute set to stick with a dual-cab design for the foreseeable future.

Read More About Chery Stockman

• Everything we know about the 2027 Chery Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid ute ahead of its arrival to rival the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger
• 2027 Chery Stockman ute details revealed ahead of arrival to battle Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6
• 2027 Chery Stockman ute to debut in Australia later this year with plug-in hybrid diesel set-up to rival BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger

“And then early next year we would look at introducing a lower tier variant to try and make it more accessible. 

Why no Stockman cab-chassis version?

“At this stage won't do a [single cab] cab chassis. We'll look at potentially doing a flat deck tray. It's more straightforward from a homologation point of view. So basically just a flat tray with no sides on it.”

He added: “We’ll focus on more of a conventional bed, which has been designed to be easily removable. So if people want to pull it off they can.” 

While single-cab, cab chassis utes are popular for many trade and fleet buyers, Harris indicated it would be too complicated and expensive for Chery to create too many variations of the Stockman. But he was adamant that, despite launching in a high-level trim, it will not be simply a ‘lifestyle’ ute and there is already interest from potential fleet buyers.

“There is [a market for lifestyle utes] but if we want to capture any of the fleet volume, I think we'll need to go down and have that offering,” he said, referencing the customisable tray back.

“We've had a huge amount of inquiry from fleets. I think we're just shy of 80 fleets who have put their names down for a demo. So you know, largely driven, I think, out of that plug-in hybrid diesel is a very unique option and can solve a lot of problems.” 

Chery enlisting Premcar to help with Stockman

As previously reported, Chery will give the Stockman a unique edge against its extensive list of ute rivals by offering it with first-in-class diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well as a a petrol-engined plug-in hybrid.

Harris also explained the role of Premcar, the Melbourne-based engineering firm, in the development of the Stockman. Premcar, which has worked on the Nissan Navara ‘Warrior’ program, can trace its origins back to the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) days, where it established its local expertise and reputation.

“ It's not the first time that we've worked with Premcar,” Harris said.

“So we know them… Premcar is very well-known and very experienced around our market and what's required. And, I know they're quite famous for what they did with the Warrior, and some stuff with FPV, in the old days.

"But actually it does a huge amount of engineering and development work outside of that stuff with carmakers all around the world, and sometimes not even just for Australia, for other markets.

"So they're very experienced guys. It's good for us to be able to use a local company which understands our customers and understands the way customers in Australia think. So what better partner could you find to give you very candid and unfiltered feedback about what they like and what they don't,” said Harris.

No ride and handling program for rest of Chery's range

However, Premcar’s involvement is noteworthy as Harris has previously dismissed the need for a local ride and handling program to tailor the suspension and chassis to Australian conditions, but the Stockman appears to be a different case.

“ So for this particular project they're doing assessment and validation across many different aspects of the vehicle and many different driving situations,” he said.

“So it's not just off-road, but it's also on-road performance, and they'll give feedback on ride and handling and how the infotainment system works, and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and how the ADAS (advanced driver assist systems) works. So they'll give feedback on the whole vehicle across all those various systems and all different scenarios.”

The Stockman is due to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, when full pricing and technical specifications for both powertrains will be announced.