Chery ute name shortlist includes Orca in cheeky BYD Shark dig

Key takeaways

• Chery shortlists nine names for new Australian ute
• Orca pick takes direct aim at BYD Shark
• Public vote closes 19 May with first ute as prize

Chery has trimmed more than 20,000 public entries down to a shortlist of nine names for its upcoming Australian ute, with one pick taking a direct shot at the BYD Shark 6. Voting opens today and runs until 19 May, with the winning entrant scoring the first Chery ute to land in Australia later this year.

The Chery ute shortlist

The nine names in contention are Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate. Each entrant had to explain why their suggestion suited the new diesel plug-in hybrid dual-cab.

Names that didn't make the cut included Dropbear and B-ute, despite both gaining traction during the public submission phase.

"We asked Australians to help name this ute, and they delivered in a big way," said Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris.

Orca pick aimed squarely at BYD Shark

The Orca submission stands out for the obvious reason. Chery's own description calls the orca "widely regarded as the most powerful predator in the ocean, mightier even than the shark." That's a thinly veiled jab at the BYD Shark 6, currently leading the local plug-in hybrid ute charge.

Other names lean into Australian heritage. Longreach references the Queensland outback town and a former Ford Falcon ute trim. Ironbark nods to the eucalyptus, Stockman to the country's working past, and Mate needs no explanation.

What we know about the Chery KP31

Codenamed KP31, the Chery ute will launch with a segment-first diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain. Expected figures include up to 170km of electric driving range, a 1000kg payload, and 3500kg braked towing capacity.

Locking front, centre and rear differentials are confirmed, alongside leaf-sprung rear suspension on the diesel PHEV. A petrol PHEV variant will follow in 2027 with coil-spring rear suspension, lining up directly against the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV.

Australian pricing and final specifications haven't been confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Chery KP31?

KP31 is the codename for Chery's first ute, a body-on-frame dual-cab launching in Australia later in 2026 with a world-first diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain.

When does Chery ute name voting close?

Public voting on the nine shortlisted names opened on 5 May 2026 and closes on 19 May 2026, with the final name announced after that.

How does the Chery ute compare to the BYD Shark 6?

The Chery ute launches with a diesel PHEV powertrain and leaf-sprung rear suspension, while the BYD Shark 6 uses a petrol PHEV setup. A petrol PHEV Chery variant follows in 2027.