This Chinese pickup has a diesel engine and almost 500 horsepower.
The Chery Stockman is the world’s first plug-in hybrid diesel pickup, combining nearly 500 horsepower with 100 kilometers of electric range.
Australians call them utes, while we prefer the term pickup. They are the most beloved vehicles among Australians. It is in this market, where pickups serve both for work and for taking the family on vacations, that Chery will debut the Stockman. And it has chosen an unusual combination for its introduction: a diesel engine, a plug-in hybrid system, and nearly 500 horsepower.
The Stockman is presented as the world’s first diesel PHEV pickup. This formula isn’t entirely new in passenger cars: Mercedes-Benz already uses this combination, for example, in the E 300. But its application in a pickup opens a new chapter in a segment where diesel still holds significant importance.
Beneath the hood lies a 2.5 Turbo Diesel engine paired with a hybrid system, delivering a combined power output of 350 kW, equivalent to 476 horsepower, and a maximum torque of 800 Nm. The vehicle features all-wheel drive.
Diesel and electricity. A rare combination
The latest specifications released by Chery for the Australian market indicate a 34 kWh battery using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, offering up to 96 km of range in pure electric mode according to the WLTP cycle.
The goal is to operate in electric mode for daily commuting and rely on diesel for longer trips.
A 5.45-meter pickup
The Chery Stockman is not exactly compact in size. It measures 5.45 meters in length, 2.01 meters in width, and 1.89 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 3.25 meters.
The cargo area is 1.56 meters long, 1.56 meters wide, and 0.50 meters high. Its tow capacity with brakes reaches 3,495 kg. For off-road use, it features front, center, and rear differential locks, all-terrain tires, and a ground clearance of over 247 mm.
The cabin can accommodate five passengers and combines a 10.25″ digital dashboard with a 15.6″ central screen. Contrary to the trend of eliminating physical controls, Chery retains a considerable number of conventional buttons and controls.
Its appearance is similar to that of an SUV, though the rear suspension with record-breaking leaf springs means this pickup will also need to work hard to perform well.
First destination: Australia
Australia will be the first market for the Stockman, and Chery has already opened reservations. The final price has not been announced yet, but the brand requires a $1,000 Australian deposit, fully refundable, to secure a spot in the lineup. First deliveries are expected on February 1, 2027.
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According to estimates from CarNewsChina, the final price is expected to range between 60,000 and 70,000 Australian dollars. These figures remain unconfirmed, and even when converted to euros—ranging from 37,300 to 43,500 euros—they do not allow for an estimate of what a potential European version might cost.
It Could Arrive via EBRO
If Chery decides to bring the Stockman to Europe, EBRO emerges as a natural candidate. The Spanish brand already sells SUVs developed from models of the Chinese group and has an assembly plant in Barcelona’s Free Zone, a former Nissan factory.
In Portugal, the sales network also exists. Represented by Grupo MCoutinho, EBRO currently has 10 dealerships and aims to reach 12 by the end of 2026. Therefore, a pickup like this would have an established network ready to accommodate it.
However, there is no announcement of a European market launch for the Stockman or an EBRO version of this model. For now, it remains a possibility supported by the relationship between the two manufacturers.
If it does come to pass, it will enter a market in transition. The Ford Ranger, which has led the European pickup market, already offers a plug-in hybrid version. The BYD Shark is also entering the European market with a gasoline plug-in hybrid system.
The Stockman would have a significant advantage: retaining the diesel engine and adding a battery capable of covering most daily trips. In Australia, Chery is already accepting reservations. It remains to be seen whether this combination will also appear on European roads.
