Chery Australia passes on Himla ute, plans larger BYD Shark 6-rivalling PHEV

Perth Now

28-04-2025

The Chery Himla ute revealed at this month's Shanghai motor show won't be sold here, and instead Chery Australia will release a larger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute directly aimed at the popular BYD Shark 6.
Now in development ahead of its global launch next year, the as-yet-unnamed new Chery ute is claimed to be more suitable for Australia – one of many right-hand drive markets in which it will be sold.
'We recognise Australia as a big market for pickups, and I can tell you now that we are developing a first-rate pickup that will better meet the needs of Australian customers,' Chery International president Zhang Guibling told a small group of journalists at the Chinese auto brand's HQ in Wuhu.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
When Chery revealed its first ute on Friday, it said its new Himla brand would offer 'a full lineup spanning from compact to mid-size and large pickups' powered by petrol, diesel and electrified powertrains for markets including Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Few details were announced, but Chery said its first Himla ute (pictured here) will match key rivals with a braked towing capacity of 3500kg and a circa-1000kg payload, plus 'global five-star safety standard' and a 'high-strength body structure, intelligent driving assistance systems, and advanced battery safety technology'.
No details or images of subsequent Himla utes have been revealed by Chery, but the company's international chief said the next two models will be launched in 2026. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'I think the first one will be ready for the first half of next year, with another version later in the second half but with a range of different powertrains to suit different customer needs,' said Mr Guibling.
Last week a local Chery spokesperson said the Chinese auto brand was keen to release its first ute in Australia, but the Himla dual-cab shown at Shanghai remains unconfirmed for this market.
'We're always interested in reviewing the exciting product from our head office and we'd love to see a ute in our lineup, but there are no confirmed details at this stage,' he said. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The comments from the Chery International boss were backed up by various engineering and product managers at a test-drive facility in Wuhu, all of whom were quietly confident the newly developed pickup would be better than its Chinese-built rivals in every way.
Chery's new global right-hand drive ute is expected to be powered by the company's fifth-generation plug-in hybrid powertrain, dubbed Chery Super Hybrid (CHS) and already seen in the Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 models.
The company claims these powertrains are some of the most advanced PHEVs in the segment, boasting thermal efficiency of 44.5 per cent, a single-speed Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with 98.5 per cent efficiency, and an all-electric range of 95km on the WLTP cycle via an 18.5kWh battery. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The combined range for the Tiggo 7 PHEV is a claimed 1080km (WLTC), while the larger Tiggo 8 Hybrid will offer an even longer 1200km-plus range.
Both models incorporate a 'hybrid-specific' four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 108kW of power and 215Nm of torque, while the electric motor develops 150kW and 310Nm, with total power output of approximately 230kW.
Interestingly, the larger new Tiggo 9 PHEV uses the same 1.5-litre turbo-four petrol in both 2WD and 4WD configurations, paired to a three-speed DHT transmission and making up to 340kW and 700Nm, which should be plenty for a 4×4-capable dual-cab ute. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Previewed by the KP11 prototype last year, the first Himla ute shown in Shanghai is based on a ladder-frame chassis and expected to be available in some markets with a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
However, a turbo-diesel version is also possible for some countries, to go with a four-wheel drive system that's expected to offer some degree of off-road capability.
Chery says its Himla ute range is being engineered with input from more than 30 countries to ensure it meets global safety, performance and utility standards.
Off-road driving modes and a high-tech cabin comprising a 'class-leading intelligent cockpit' have also been promised. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Chery has promised Himla vehicles will 'accelerate the evolution of the global pickup market toward four key trends: passenger-oriented design, intelligence, premiumization [sic] and new energy adoption'.
The dual-cab shown off in Shanghai featured a large free-standing infotainment touchscreen, and a two-tone black/tan colourway with lashings of leather or leatherette trim.
The carmaker has sold traditional ladder-frame, dual-cab utes before, including the Higgo and Aika from its Karry commercial vehicle brand. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
But as the huge 'Chery' wordmark on the front and rear of the new ute shows, Chery wants to leverage its own brand name for its latest ute models.
The Himla ute range is part of Chery's strategy to sell one million vehicles annually by 2027, by expanding into new vehicle segments including light commercial vehicles and people movers.
Locally, Chery has made no secret of its plan to become a top-five auto brand in Australia within five years of its local relaunch in 2022.
It had hoped to reach 30,000 annual sales by 2024, but sold less than half that number with fewer than 13,000 registrations. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Chery's first ute would join a growing number of Chinese utes sold in Australia, including rivals from BYD, GWM, JAC, LDV and, soon, MG and Foton.
And a PHEV ute would also go head to head with models including the Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV.
Chery was China's top passenger car exporter for the 22nd consecutive year in 2024, with its vehicles sold everywhere from Europe to Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
In addition to its namesake brand, it also has a confusing web of spinoff brands including Exeed, Exlantix, Jaecoo, Jetour and Omoda.