Tough new 2026 GAC Pickup 01 unveiled

The 2026 GAC Pickup 01 has been unwrapped, the wild sci-fi-inspired large ute serving as a preview to a production version that could help the Chinese brand establish itself when it arrives in Australia in the second half of this year.

Created to rival the Tesla Cybertruck that might finally also be offered in Australia, the new GAC Pickup 01 features Hummer-like boxy styling and a traditional dual-cab body style. And with a towering ride height, prominent tow hooks, huge wheels and all-terrain tyres, it looks tailor made to hit the Aussie bush.

Other highlights include wide rear arches, slab sides, a pair of digital rear-view mirrors and a short bed, with the Pickup 01 sacrificing load length for a better departure angle.

Beneath its radical looks, the Pickup 01 is said to ride on the new GAC Adaptive Intelligent Architecture (GAIA). This introduces an adaptive suspension system that tailors the large ute for urban, off-road and towing applications.

Other new tech is the car-maker’s next-generation powertrain and its X-Soul Safety Shield advanced driver assist system, the latter potentially heralding Level 3 hands-off, eyes-off-the-road cruising on the highway.

Within, the wild new ute is said to get a cabin that is configurable, with the dual cab set to turn into a sleeping space for off-grid camping trips.

Featuring an octagonal steering wheel that slides across the dash to provide for right-hand drive, the minimalist cabin also gets an almost full-width infotainment system.

Enhancing its practicality, a sizeable centre console provides a huge amount of stowage space.

GAC is yet to confirm when the production version of the Pickup 01 will arrive, but it’s been tipped it could be on sale in China from next year.

GAC has already announced that it is expanding its operation beyond China with the brand confirming it will launch in Australia, Saudi Arabia and Chile, with the Pickup 01 potentially a new flagship vehicle at the spearhead of its expansion plans.

If so, the Pickup 01 might come with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid power.

An even more futuristic version (if that’s possible!) could be offered with all-electric power, but that truck is likely to be sold via the Chinese car-maker’s all-electric Aion brand.

GAC has already recruited AGA Auto as its local distributor ahead of the brand’s launch here, which is to take place in the second half of 2025.

The local line-up is primed to include the M8 and E9 people movers as well as the GS8 and ES9 large SUVs, plus the Aion V – a small, battery-powered SUV.

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