A new design patent has revealed a new Chery ute which could be bound for Australia as a PHEV to rival the Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6.
The next model potentially set to join Australia's hotly-contested dual-cab ute segment has been revealed in a leaked design patent.
Chinese carmaker Chery – currently known for its car-based SUV line-up – has not officially confirmed its ute plans for Australia, but it has signalled it intends to eventually rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
While the brand revealed its Himla dual-cab at the 2025 Shanghai motor show last month, it is believed Chery Australia will skip the model, and instead opt for a separate ute, which could be the model shown in a recent design patent application above.
Chery's first ute for Australia could use the Rely name, either under yet another brand from the car giant to join Omoda and Jaecoo locally, or as a dedicated model in Chery showrooms alongside its current SUV line-up.
Another Chery brand, Jetour, is also under consideration for Australia, which could take the number of brands sold by the carmaker to five: Chery, Jaecoo, Omoda, Rely and Jetour.
The low-resolution global design patent image filed by Chery Automobile in recent weeks shows its upcoming model will wear a boxier design than the Himla ute, and include a step in its rear bumper similar to a Ford Ranger and Kia Tasman.
It is likely to be based on a ladder-frame chassis and could offer plug-in hybrid power like a BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha – in place of, or in addition to, a turbocharged diesel engine – though technical details on the future ute remain unclear.
In August 2024, Chery executive vice president Zhang Guibing told Drive the development of a dual-cab ute for Australia was "in progress".
"Because Australia is [one of our] strategic markets, so definitely we [will] consider it here," Mr Zhang said.
"But of course, what time we are launching is dependent on today's Chery success. If [Chery’s success is] very good, we will introduce maybe [earlier]. If not, maybe we [are] a little delayed."
The upcoming Chery ute, likely to fall under its Rely commercial-vehicle brand, could launch in Australia sometime in 2026.
"We’re always interested in reviewing the exciting product that may be available in the future, but at this time I can’t confirm any local plans," a Chery Australia spokesperson told Drive.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
