Chery wants you to name its new diesel-hybrid ute

The name of the 'world's first' diesel plug-in hybrid ute has been put to the Australian people, as Chery has launched a competition to name its upcoming dual-cab, currently codenamed KP31.

The nation will decide what the Chery ute is called before it goes on sale with diesel power between October and December this year, with the competition winner to be gifted the first example.

The Great Australian Chery Ute Naming Competition is now open on the brand's website, where participants can submit a name and a short explanation of why they think it is a good fit.

All entries will be reviewed by Chery, which will collate a shortlist, with the top picks to be put to a public vote to decide the winner of the competition and the ute.

A concept version of the diesel plug-in hybrid ute was revealed in Australia last month, with HiLux and Ranger-esque styling and a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine assisted by hybrid technology.

Chery has also announced a petrol PHEV version is due in 2027.

Unlike its petrol-powered Ford Ranger PHEV, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and BYD Shark 6 rivals, the Chery ute uses diesel power more like to a traditional four-wheel-drive ute.

It's claimed to have a 1000kg payload and a 3500kg towing capacity, on par with non-hybrid diesel utes, with the benefit of lower fuel consumption from hybrid tech, on top of what Chery claims is an engine 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than other diesels.

Diesel versions are expected to use leaf-sprung, live-axle rear suspension to suit off-road use, while the petrol is slated to compete directly with the Shark 6 as an on-road-focused PHEV ute with four-wheel independent suspension.

The Great Australian Chery Ute Naming Competition is now open and closes at 11:50pm AEDT on Thursday, 26 March 2026, with 2000 entries already understood to have been lodged.

Let us know what you would name Chery's new ute in the comments below, and submit your choices on Chery's website.