Chery Stockman ute name officially confirmed

Suzuki Australia has issued a cheeky response after Chery revealed 'Stockman' as the winning name for its upcoming diesel plug-in hybrid ute, a badge long associated with the Suzuki Sierra Stockman sold locally during the 1980s and ‘90s.

Chery Australia this week confirmed its first diesel PHEV – originally codenamed KP31 – will wear the Stockman name after receiving more than 20,000 submissions from Aussies and narrowing the field to a shortlist of eight finalists.

The world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid ute is expected to go on sale in Australia in early 2027 and is expected to spawn a 4x4 wagon version to take on the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.

The Stockman will be powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine backed up by electric motor/s and will have a payload of 1000kg in the tub.

It will also be able to tow 3.5 tonnes right out of the factory.

The winning entry for the Chery Stockman name came from Victorian Steve Kodikara, who described the stockman as “a rugged icon”.

Other names on the shortlist included Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate, but ultimately, Stockman secured the win during public voting said to involve more than 12,000 Australians.

In his entry, Kodikara said: “Not a folk tale. A real person, doing a real job, across terrain that defeated every piece of equipment that wasn't built specifically to handle it.

“They covered Australia's vast distances not because it was easy, but because the job demanded it, across stock routes stretching thousands of kilometres, through conditions that modern vehicles still struggle to manage.”

Chery Australia’s chief operating officer Lucas Harris said the name resonated with voters because it reflected both Australian heritage and the capability-focused positioning of the brand's first ute.

"Stockman stood out because it captured something uniquely Australian while reflecting the capability, reliability and innovation behind our upcoming ute," he said.

But Chery’s announcement was quick to draw attention, particularly from the PR team at Suzuki Australia, because the Japanese brand previously used the Stockman name for its Sierra-based ute up until the late 1990s.

In a statement issued to media, Suzuki Australia’s general manager Michael Pachota said the brand was “flattered to see the Stockman name back in the headlines”.

“For many Australians, Stockman is a name that has been synonymous with Suzuki adventure and capability for decades, earning its place in Australian motoring folklore through the Sierra Stockman of the 1980s and 1990s.

“As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

“We're proud of the heritage Suzuki built around the Stockman name and we're delighted to see it remains memorable enough to inspire others all these years later. While others may adopt the name, its place in Australian automotive history will always be closely linked with Suzuki."

Mahindra also used the Stockman name Down Under in the early 1990s, however, like Suzuki, never filed a trademark for the nameplate locally.

The Chery Stockman won’t just be notable for its name, but also for its powertrain.

The brand hasn’t yet said how powerful the new model will be but it could be a Shark-slaying weapon.

The Chery Stockman will arrive Down Under as world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid ute in early 2027, with further details, including specifications, pricing and final launch timing, set to be announced in the coming months.

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