Chery is targeting better towing and load-carrying capability for two Australian-bound models, with work continuing on the Chery Stockman ute’s payload and a higher towing capacity planned for the iCaur V27 SUV.

Speaking to CarExpert and other Australian media in China, an iCaur Australia product manager acknowledged the V27’s current limit and committed to improving it.

“Currently, the V27's towing capacity is about 1.6 tonnes. It is not enough, but we will improve it in the future," they said.

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The V27 is the larger of the two SUVs confirmed for iCaur's Australian rollout. It uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, with electric motors driving the wheels and a petrol engine generating electricity. The battery can also be recharged by plugging it in.

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Its quoted 1600kg towing capacity is below the 3500kg available from a Ford Everest fitted with the genuine tow pack. The smaller V25 has a higher quoted limit than the V27, at 1800kg for both its battery-electric and range-extender versions.

Asked whether the V25 could tow more than the V27, the product manager said:

“Yes, because the V27 was developed earlier than the V25.”

iCaur hasn’t announced a revised V27 capacity or when the improvement will arrive. Final Australian specifications are yet to be confirmed.

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The electric V25 will debut the brand in Australia early in 2027, and will be followed by an EREV version plus the larger V27 later in the year.

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At the Chery brand, the Stockman team is continuing work towards a one-tonne payload for the diesel plug-in hybrid ute. Its preliminary Australian figures put payload at 765kg, just 25kg below the 790kg of the BYD Shark 6 Premium.

Asked about achieving the originally proposed one-tonne capacity, Stockman chief product manager Mark Qi pointed to the weight of the hybrid system.

“We know about that. Think about the diesel PHEV, the battery and the weight. The payload now isn't as good; it is not one tonne. We are still doing work on the payload.”

Asked whether Chery could reach that goal with the plug-in hybrid, he replied:

“Yes. We are still working with the Australian team on it. In China, payload is not as important, especially for this vehicle, which is not mainly for commercial use.”

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The Stockman’s 765kg figure comes from a 3500kg gross vehicle mass, the maximum permitted weight of the loaded vehicle, less its 2735kg kerb weight.

BYD sold 18,073 Shark 6 utes in 2025, including 15,564 to private buyers. That made it Australia’s best-selling ute among private buyers, ahead of both the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

Those sales came from the original Premium model, with its 790kg payload and 2500kg braked towing capacity.

BYD has since added the Shark 6 Performance, which increases braked towing capacity to 3500kg but has a lower payload of 725kg. The Stockman’s preliminary braked towing capacity is 3495kg, just 5kg lower.

*Stockman figures are preliminary. Maximum payload and maximum towing capacity may not be available simultaneously; gross combination mass and axle limits also apply.

Payload covers occupants, cargo, added accessories, and the weight a trailer places on the towball. It isn’t simply the amount that can be loaded into the ute’s tub.

iCaur's product manager said the V25 had completed 30,000km of Australian testing to identify vehicle issues.

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“We want to make sure that when the car goes on sale in Australia, it doesn't have these small issues. Initially, it was road-tested in China, but not Australia. If we want to introduce it to Australia, we need to test it there," they said.

Chery has separately engaged Australian engineering firm Premcar to test and validate the Stockman’s ride and handling. iCaur is working with an Australian supplier, but hasn’t identified that company.

The electric V25 will lead iCaur's Australian launch in 2027, followed by the V27 EREV and then an EREV version of the V25.

The Stockman remains scheduled to arrive in February 2027, with Mr Qi reaffirming that timetable.

“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.”

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