Chery has officially named its upcoming diesel plug-in hybrid ute the Stockman.

The hotly anticipated newcomer is due in the second half as yet another challenger in an increasingly crowded – and increasingly electrified – dual-cab market.

The name was chosen through a public competition that attracted more than 20,000 submissions, with the field eventually whittled to a shortlist of eight before Australians voted for their favourite.

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Chery says the Stockman name received more than 25 per cent of votes from more than 12,000 who voted in the final phase.

And the bloke who suggested the name – Victorian Steve Kodikara – will get to drive away with the first Stockman when it lands in Australia late in 2026.

For anyone who knows their off-roaders the Stockman name has heritage.

The Stockman ute was the workhorse variant of the Suzuki Sierra, the pint-sized 4WD that long had a brilliant reputation for going places most small off-roaders can’t (these days, of course, its successor in known as the Jimny).

Suzuki Australia was quick to respond to the name’s reappearance.

“We’re flattered to see the Stockman name back in the headlines,” said Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia General Manager – Automobile.

“For many Australians, Stockman is a name that has been synonymous with Suzuki adventure and capability for decades… As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

The cheeky response from the Japanese brand – which no longer sells a ute – underscores just how culturally loaded the name is in Australian motoring circles.

So, what is the Chery Stockman?

The Stockman is the production name for what Chery has been previewing under the codename KP31.

It measures 5450mm long, 1920mm wide and 1925mm tall, placing it close in stature to segment leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

From a design perspective, the Stockman cuts a distinctive figure.

Where many new entrants play it relatively safe with evolutionary dual-cab styling, the Stockman goes bold, with chunky, squared-off proportions that draw comparisons to the Ford Bronco –-retro-influenced and unapologetically boxy.

The chunky exterior contrasts with a more luxurious-looking interior, with available features set to include heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof.

The Stockman’s diesel PHEV powertrain is where the action is at

The Stockman will be the world’s first ute to feature a diesel plug-in hybrid system (although Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz have offered diesel hybrids in passenger cars overseas).

The 2.5-litre turbocharged engine offers a claimed thermal efficiency of 47 per cent, and is said to be 10 per cent more fuel efficient than “the average diesel powertrain” (whatever that is).

Chery also claims a 30 per cent vibration reduction compared to the average diesel.

Crucially, the Stockman will get a 1000kg payload and 3500kg towing capacity, making it competitive with the heavy hitters of the class.

That diesel PHEV combination is significant, in part because it provides the diesel four-wheel drivers love along with the ability to charge externally and run on electricity (Chery is yet to release details on the electrical system, including power/torque and the EV range).

A diesel PHEV theoretically gives you the low-end grunt and frugality of oil-burning technology plus the ability to charge overnight at a caravan park and cover short electric-only distances around camp or town.

One thing that is unknown is what the fuel use of the diesel PHEV drivetrain will be when running in hybrid mode; it’s all good and well to offer a great on-paper combo, but it obviously needs to deliver in the real world, too.

But Chery is covering its bases.

A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid will follow later in 2027, while non-PHEV diesel and petrol engines are also under consideration.

The fast-changing ute market the Stockman is entering

The Stockman won’t lack for competition.

The BYD Shark 6 blazed the PHEV ute trail in Australia and continues to sell strongly.

The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV adds further Chinese-brand pressure from the plug-in hybrid side, while the mainstream diesel Ranger and Hilux continue to dominate the volume conversation.

Chery has stated it wants to be a top-five brand in Australia by 2027, and the Stockman is central to that target given the size of the ute segment, which still commands one in five new vehicle sales.

The Stockman is due to launch in Australia before the end of 2026.

Pricing, battery capacity and electric-only range are yet to be confirmed.