2027 Chery Stockman: 800Nm diesel PHEV ute named ahead of NZ launch

Chery has officially revealed the name of its upcoming dual-cab ute, with Stockman winning a public naming competition ahead of the model's New Zealand launch in early 2027.

The Chinese brand received more than 20,000 submissions from Australians before narrowing the field to eight finalists. Stockman emerged as the winner after attracting more than 25 per cent of the more than 12,000 votes cast during the public voting phase.

The winning entry was submitted by Victorian Steve Kodikara, who will receive the first Stockman when deliveries begin in Australia later this year. Chery says the name was inspired by the resilience, dependability and hard-working spirit traditionally associated with Australian stockmen, qualities it believes reflect the character of its first ute.

"I'm incredibly honoured that Stockman was chosen from the thousands of entries submitted to title Chery's new ute," said Mr Kodikara.

"I felt the name captured the spirit of Australia's original workhorse and everything a ute should represent: reliability, capability and resilience."

The name beat finalists including Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra, and Mate. While the naming competition was conducted in Australia, Chery has already confirmed the Stockman badge will also be used in New Zealand, where the ute is due to arrive during the first quarter of 2027.

The Stockman will be a significant model for the brand, becoming the world's first production ute to combine a diesel engine with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology.

Chery has previously confirmed the powertrain will pair a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a plug-in hybrid system, claiming thermal efficiency of 47 per cent. The company says the setup will be around 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than a conventional diesel powertrain while maintaining the towing and payload capabilities expected by ute buyers.

Combined with a 34kWh battery, the Chery Stockman is set to be one of the most powerful utes on sale, producing a combined 350kW and 800Nm.

For reference, the diesel 2.8-litre four cylinder in the Toyota Hilux produces 150kW and 500Nm (420Nm with a manual transmission), while the diesel V6 in the Ford Ranger produces 184kW and 600Nm.

Petrol PHEV utes like the BYD Shark 6 Performance provide more punch, with a claimed 350kW and 700Nm output. JAC claim to offer the most powerful PHEV ute in New Zealand with the recently launched T9 PHEV, which boasts 360kW and 674Nm.

Target figures include a 1000kg payload and a 3500kg braked towing capacity, placing it alongside established rivals such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Mitsubishi Triton.

The diesel plug-in hybrid variant is expected to use a leaf-sprung rear suspension setup aimed at maximising load-carrying and towing performance. A petrol plug-in hybrid version is also planned, though it isn't expected to arrive until later in 2027 and will use a more comfort-focused coil-spring rear suspension arrangement.

Prototype vehicles shown earlier this year also pointed to strong off-road credentials, with locking front, centre, and rear differentials expected to be offered, alongside integrated rear steps, front and rear bash plates, a snorkel, and six-stud wheels.

The production ute is expected to measure around 5450mm long and feature a more premium cabin than many traditional work-focused rivals, with available equipment set to include heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.

Unlike rivals such as the Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and BYD Shark 6, which all pair petrol engines with electrified drivetrains, the Stockman's diesel-electric setup is intended to appeal to buyers who regularly tow, travel long distances, or spend significant time off-road.

Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the Stockman's Australian launch later this year, ahead of its New Zealand arrival in early 2027.