- Chery further expands its portfolio with the new Himla brand that is focused on pickups.
- The first Himla product is a rugged midsize truck, likely riding on a ladder-frame chassis.
- It plans to offer a range of products to global markets including Europe and South America.
Chinese automaker Chery is no stranger to creating sub-brands, but apparently, they weren’t satisfied with their existing lineup, so they’ve gone ahead and launched yet another one. This time, it’s a pickup brand called Himla, which made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show alongside its first model: a midsize truck gunning for the Toyota Hilux.
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At first glance, the Himla pickup looks almost identical to the KP11 prototype that was first revealed in October 2024. The main differences seem to be a new paint color, a fresh wheel design, and a stripped-back version with fewer accessories. Chery branding appears on the grille, while the Himla emblem, likely inspired by the Himalayas, gets a place of honor on the tailgate.
A Modern Pickup, With a Familiar Look
The Himla’s design strikes a familiar chord, featuring split LED headlights, aluminum-style skid plates, a bold hood, and muscular fenders that give it a rugged presence. Integrated side steps on the rear bumper add a practical touch. The truck rides on rugged alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, and it seems to have solid ground clearance. From the spec, it looks like this could be a high-spec trim, think Ford Ranger Wildtrak-level features.
Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a Tesla-esque infotainment touchscreen. A digital instrument cluster is also present, and the interior boasts light-colored upholstery that gives off a leather-like vibe. Rear passengers are treated to their own climate vents.
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The bed appears to be roughly the same size as other midsize trucks that it will compete with, including the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Kia Tasman, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, and Mazda BT-50.
Powertrains and Global Ambitions
While Chery hasn’t shared exact specifications for the Himla yet, it looks production-ready. Given the current trends in the pickup market, we can reasonably expect the Himla to be built on a ladder-frame chassis, allowing it to compete in terms of payload and towing capacity. As for what’s under the hood, there will likely be a mix of gasoline, diesel, and possibly electrified powertrains.
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In terms of global availability, Himla trucks will be exported to Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. According to CarExpert, the brand promises a full lineup of pickups ranging from compact to mid-size to large models. Chery has also emphasized that Himla trucks will combine “unstoppable all-terrain strength and refined design,” which sounds like a well-rehearsed marketing line, but we’ll see how that plays out in real-world use.
Expanding Chery’s Pickup Portfolio
Interestingly, Chery has also announced the return of its Rely brand, which will focus exclusively on pickups with a mix of combustion, electric, PHEV, and range-extender powertrains. Between Himla and Rely, Chery will be broadening its already extensive portfolio, which includes sub-brands like Exeed, iCar, Jaecoo, Jetour, Karry, Kaiyi, Lepas, Luxeed, Omoda, and Soueast. In other words, if you’re a fan of niche automotive brands, Chery’s got you covered.
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