New HiLux hunter's Aussie connection: 2026 Chery ute to be named by an Australian as it brings diesel-electric plug-in hybrid power to banish the BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and future Toyota HiLux

Australia is driving a global ute revolution.

Ford’s Ranger was designed, developed and engineered in Melbourne.

The land Down Under was instrumental in bringing the Kia Tasman to market, with the brand’s local arm deciding on the Aussie-themed name.

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Now China’s Chery is looking to our continent to deliver its next big thing, with Chery Australia giving the naming rights to the general public.

The local arm is running a nationwide competition to select the name of its revolutionary new ute. The winner will also take home a Chery ute of their very own when it launches towards the end of this year.

Participants will be asked to submit a proposed name along with a short explanation outlining why it is the right fit for the vehicle. Entries will be reviewed by Chery, with shortlisted names progressing to a public vote before the final name is selected.

Chery’s new ute is doing something the titans of workhorses haven’t been able to muster, using diesel hybrid power.

@carsguide.com.au Mean looking new ute confirmed for Oz with a surprise feature! #Chery #KP31 #ute #cartok #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

Underneath the bonnet of the ute — codenamed KP31 for now — is a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine paired with an electric motor or two and a sizeable battery.

Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the new ute had to be tough and the diesel-electric combo gave it the best chance to achieve that capability Australians demand from a ute.

He also said the local arm had a lot of influence on delivering the ute.

“I believe Chery has one chance to prove that we can build and deliver a highly capable ute,” said Harris.

“And so to do that, it needs towing capability, payload capability, all-terrain capability. Particularly all-terrain capability, you know, you get people towing caravans on the beach. You really do need the torque and power delivery that a diesel gives you down low to be able to do those things.”

Chery said the new ute will be able to tow 3500kg and handle a one-tonne payload.

It will have front, centre and rear diff locks, and it should have low gearing for proper off-roading.

The success of the BYD Shark 6 shows Australia is ready to embrace a plug-in hybrid ute that looks tough and can deliver some off-road performance.

Chery’s diesel-electric hybrid set-up should do away with the Shark 6’s towing and payload restrictions, while offering the diesel grunt missing from its GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV rival.