22:38 10-11-2025

Chery to launch diesel plug-in hybrid 4x4 pickup in Australia in 2026

Chery plans a diesel plug-in hybrid pickup for Australia in 2026, offering 100 km EV range, 3,500 kg towing and 1,000 kg payload to challenge HiLux and BYD.

Chinese automaker Chery is placing a serious bet on diesel-hybrid technology. Its first all-wheel-drive pickup for Australia, slated for 2026, will debut a distinctive powertrain that blends the strengths of the Toyota HiLux and the BYD Shark 6.

According to Lucas Harris, Chery’s chief operating officer in Australia, several configurations are on the table, but a diesel plug-in hybrid is viewed as the most likely and promising. The setup is expected to deliver more than 100 km of electric-only driving along with diesel-style muscle: up to 1,000 kg of payload and 3,500 kg of towing.

Harris noted that the approach combines strong low-rev torque with the efficiency of a hybrid system. Chery may even skip traditional diesel and petrol versions altogether, focusing solely on hybrids. As a package, it looks like a pragmatic play: preserve pulling power where it matters and trim fuel use where possible.

A fully electric pickup is not on the near-term agenda—Harris characterized that route as complex and unlikely. Meanwhile, Chery is also preparing a new seven-seat SUV positioned against the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Ford Everest.

A diesel plug-in hybrid from Chery could become a compelling option for buyers seeking a powerful, economical, long-range pickup. If the pricing stays competitive, the HiLux and the Shark could find themselves facing a serious new rival.