The Chery Stockman ute could provide the basis for a Ford Everest rival, with its chief product manager confirming an SUV was considered from the start of the platform’s development.

A diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) off-roader is one possibility, although neither an SUV production program nor an Australian launch has been confirmed.

Speaking to CarExpert and other Australian media in China, Stockman chief product manager Mark Qi was asked whether the ute’s platform could be adapted for a three-row SUV.

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“When we designed the platform, we already considered an SUV,” Mr Qi said.

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However, he stopped short of confirming an SUV was being developed alongside the ute.

“That isn't clear now. We know this platform has the capability to develop an SUV as well. That is easy, but there are many other things: the brand, the price and so on.”

Mr Qi was also asked whether a three-row SUV could use the Stockman’s diesel PHEV technology.

“That isn't certain now. It depends on the brand and which markets the SUV would be for, and whether it would use diesel PHEV, petrol PHEV or something else," he said.

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“What I can tell you is that the platform can support petrol PHEV, diesel PHEV and conventional diesel ICE. For pickups in Mexico or the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council markets], for example, some people also like petrol. The platform can support that.”

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The Stockman uses a ladder-frame chassis, giving Chery a starting point for the type of ute-derived SUV already familiar to Australian buyers. The Everest shares its underpinnings with the Ranger, while the Isuzu MU-X is related to the D-Max.

There’s a substantial market for those vehicles. In the first nine months of 2026, Ford delivered 16,203 Everests, Toyota delivered 15,665 Prados, and Isuzu delivered 10,556 MU-Xs.

Diesel remains central to that part of the market. The Everest and MU-X offer conventional turbo-diesel engines, while the Prado combines a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. None currently offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain in Australia.

Chinese brands already compete in this class, including GWM with its Tank 500 Hi4-T petrol PHEV. That version has five seats, however, with its larger battery taking the space used by the third row in the diesel variant.

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The Stockman ute itself is scheduled to reach Australian customers in February 2027. Its preliminary local specifications list a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel PHEV system producing a combined 350kW of power and 800Nm of torque, with a 34kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

The diesel PHEV ute has a listed braked towing capacity of 3495kg, low-range four-wheel drive, and front, centre, and rear differential locks.

A petrol PHEV Stockman is also due in the second half of 2027, with announced outputs of 395kW and 1000Nm. It will use coil-spring rear suspension, while the diesel PHEV has leaf springs.

Chery has enlisted Australian engineering firm Premcar to test and validate the ute locally, and Mr Qi reaffirmed its February 2027 Australian arrival during the same interview.

“Yes. We have discussed it with our Australian team. For now, the target is still February next year. In February, we will deliver the Stockman in Australia.”

MORE: Explore the Chery Stockman showroom