Chery Stockman still 235kg short of one-tonne payload promise ahead of February 2027 launch

Payload shortfall and Chery's response

Chery is still working towards a one-tonne payload for its Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, after preliminary model-year 2027 specifications put its carrying capacity at 765kg. Speaking to CarExpert and other Australian media in China, Stockman chief product manager Mark Qi acknowledged the gap directly: the battery and its weight had cost payload, and "we are still doing work on the payload", though he did not specify how the figure would be raised or commit to a one-tonne version being ready for the February 2027 Australian launch. ¹

The arithmetic comes from Chery's own model year 2027 specifications published this month, which list a 2735kg kerb weight and 3500kg gross vehicle mass for the Stockman Ultimate. Subtracting kerb weight from GVM gives 765kg — 235kg less than the 1000kg payload Chery had confirmed in February, when it outlined plans for leaf-spring rear suspension in the diesel and a coil-sprung setup in the petrol PHEV. Asked whether one tonne could be reached with the plug-in hybrid, Mr Qi said yes, noting that in China payload is not as important because the vehicle is not mainly for commercial use, and that Chery is working with the Australian team on it. ¹

Payload covers the combined weight of occupants, cargo, added accessories and towball download when towing, so a canopy, bullbar, drawers or recovery gear all reduce what remains for people and luggage. Towing places a further limit: the Stockman's maximum braked towing capacity is 3495kg — 5kg down on most rivals — with a 6500kg gross combination mass. On Chery's current figures, towing a fully laden 3495kg trailer would leave only 270kg of the combination for occupants, accessories and cargo onboard the ute. ¹

Among plug-in hybrid rivals, the Stockman's preliminary 765kg payload exceeds the BYD Shark 6 Performance (725kg) and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV (685kg), but falls below the updated Ford Ranger Hybrid lineup (901–1009kg, calculated using minimum kerb weight and excluding the optional spare wheel, which adds 39kg — the Stockman lists a full-size spare as standard). Nissan is also targeting a 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing for its Navara Pro PHEV, due in Australia in 2027. ¹

Local tuning: a tight window before February

Mr Qi also told CarSauce that Australian tuning of the Stockman remains unfinished roughly three months before the current February 1, 2027 showroom target, with steering weight, brake pedal feel, diesel-electric powertrain smoothness and rear leaf-spring suspension still under review. "For now we still focus on the EPS, the steering, the force. The second thing is the brake... it's too light. And the powertrain, we want it more smooth," he said, adding "we still keep working on the rear suspension, the leaf springs. We need to do more." ²

According to CarSauce, a test vehicle was sent to Australia in September and a new-specification vehicle is due in mid-November so Australian customers and engineers can provide further feedback, which Mr Qi expected to arrive by the end of November. "For the engineers, three months is very short. They also complain, 'we need more time, we need more time.' But we keep working on it," he said. Asked whether November feedback could push the showroom arrival to March or April, he did not directly answer on timing, saying the target remains February and that electronic power steering is software-based and therefore relatively straightforward to update in January before production. ²

The battery is packaged at the rear, below the cargo box and above the frame, Mr Qi explained to CarExpert, and while Chinese customers prefer multi-link suspension for comfort, the Australian version uses leaf springs that still need further development of the springs and shock absorbers. Chery has already engaged local engineering firm Premcar — best known for developing more capable versions of Nissan models — to test and validate the Stockman on Australian roads, a program 4X4 Australia reported in August 2026. Australian media in China did not drive the ute because it was not yet ready in Australian specification. ¹²⁶⁷

Mr Qi positioned Australia as the Stockman's first and most important global market, ahead of South Africa and South America, according to CarSauce. CarSauce also lists 300,000km of durability testing completed in China and a target of one tonne of payload still being pursued for Australia. ²

Powertrain and specifications on offer

The Stockman Ultimate diesel PHEV pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, developed in-house by Chery according to CarSauce, with preliminary total system outputs of 350kW and 800Nm, and a 34kWh battery. Chery claims 96km of WLTP electric range and 3495kg braked towing. The Ultimate measures 5450mm long, with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 15.6-inch touchscreen and a comprehensive safety feature set listed as standard equipment in CarExpert's coverage of the specifications. ¹⁴

CarSauce details a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission with two electric motors in P1 and P3 positions, the diesel able to drive the wheels directly, and a retained transfer case. One caveat on the battery and range figures: Chery has stated a 34kWh battery and 96km WLTP-claimed range, but the published sources do not state how much of the battery capacity is usable, the pack voltage or the charging conditions behind the range claim, so those values should not be inferred. The Stockman's figures remain explicitly preliminary. ²¹⁴

The related petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain is slated to follow in the second half of 2027 with claimed outputs of 395kW and 1000Nm, according to aggregated reporting of the specification reveal. Chery has positioned the diesel PHEV as a segment first — what CarExpert and multiple outlets describe as the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid ute. ⁴⁶

Launch timing, orders and name

Australian deliveries are due from February 1, 2027, after Chery moved the arrival from the originally planned final quarter of 2026. Reservations opened on October 1, 2026, according to 4X4 Australia, with Australian specifications confirmed the following day. Australian pricing has yet to be announced; for context, CarExpert notes key Chinese-brand rivals such as the BYD Shark 6 Performance and GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV cost between $60,000 and $65,000. ¹⁴⁷

The Stockman name was chosen by public vote from more than 20,000 submissions, winning more than 25 per cent of votes cast by over 12,000 Australians, with Victorian Steve Kodikara to receive the first example delivered in Australia. Driven Car Guide reported the model is also confirmed for New Zealand, where an early-2027 launch is being targeted, and that final specifications, pricing and launch timing there will be announced closer to market introduction. ⁵

The Stockman has a long development trail in Australian reporting: 4X4 Australia's coverage records the KP31 Concept reveal in February 2026, the public naming campaign from March 2026, Premcar's local testing program announced in August 2026, and reservations opening in October 2026 — marking the model as Chery's first ute in Australia and a key part of the group's local expansion. ⁷

Chery's wider Australian product push is proceeding separately: the group's incoming iCaur brand will launch with the V25 SUV in early 2027, and iCaur International CEO Ronna Luo told Australian media including CarExpert there is "definitely no diesel engine plan" and no pickup in that brand's current plans — leaving the Stockman as Chery's sole ute play locally. ³