Chery has unveiled two new dual-cab utes at the Chengdu motor show in China, featuring diesel-hybrid and electric power, ahead of the brand’s entrance into the Australian ute market as soon as 2026.
The Rely KP2X and KP3X revealed could be offered here to take on a raft of rivals in Australia’s fiercely contested dual-cab ute market, currently led by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Rely is one of Chery’s many brands – including Omoda Jaecoo, introduced in Australia earlier this year – and was relaunched as a ute/pickup brand in China in April 2025 after having previously offered SUVs and people movers.
Chery Australia has confirmed it will launch an unnamed plug-in hybrid ute in Australia – using Ranger-like ladder-frame construction – as a rival to the BYD Shark 6 by the end of 2026, but is yet to reveal further details.
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Image credit:Sohu.com
It didn’t confirm the KP2X or KP3X for local showrooms when approached by CarExpert.
Local Chery boss Lucas Harris previously told CarExpert: “What’s confirmed at the moment is having a proper, ladder-frame chassis, off-road platform-style pickup, which will be second half of next year.”
The Rely R8/R08 – also sold as the Chery Himla – has been ruled out for Australia, with production limited to left-hand drive.
Chery has also said it has no plans to introduce the Jetour sub-brand here, which could rule out the F700 large dual-cab ute shown earlier this year unless it’s rebadged.
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Mr Harris has hinted Chery could offer more than a ladder-frame ute to Australian customers.
“Globally, there are lots of different options for pickups. It’s not just a one-tonne ladder-frame chassis,” the Chery boss told CarExpert.
The KP2X is the smaller of the pair revealed at Chengdu and, while details have not been announced, it appears to be a battery-electric vehicle based on its exterior design.
Clues include a lack of front grille opening, no visible exhaust outlets and styling – such as flush retracting door handles – more consistent with EVs than traditional pickups, including a bold rear windscreen treatment.
Image credit:Vision Effect TV
That suggests it uses a conventional car-like monocoque construction.
The KP3X, set to offer diesel hybrid power, is the opposite: it uses classic off-road pick-up cues, from its round headlights, chunky all-terrain tyres on bead-lock style wheels – as well as details such as front and rear bash plates, orange tow-points and more traditional door handles suggesting its rugged intent.
It also has a separate tub – again, like the Ranger and key rivals such as the HiLux – including an integrated ‘step’ behind the rear-wheel, again like the Ford.
The R8 measures 5370mm long – identical to a Ranger XLT, although the Ford has a 40mm longer wheelbase (3270mm) – with the KP3X appearing similar in size alongside it in Chengdu.
Image credit: Vision Effect TV
While a radiator is visible through the front grille, there are filler doors on both sides of the KP3X’s tray, again like the R8.
Chery hasn’t released any detailed specifications for the KP3X, but has confirmed it’s a diesel hybrid.
It’s unclear if it will also use the traditional combustion powertrains employed in the R8, which in China includes a choice of 120kW/420Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel and a 118kW/230Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine with a five-speed manual only.
The off-road promise on the outside suggests a ladder-frame chassis for the KP3X, with the R8 using a leaf-sprung rear end – again like HiLux and leading dual-cabs sold here.
In addition to the KP2X and KP3X, Rely has also confirmed the KP4X, potentially the size of the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500, but this is yet to be officially revealed.
Image credit: Vision Effect TV
While the dual-cab ute market in Australia is hotly contested, it’s also on the rise in China where sales are expected to double to reach 1.67 million annually by 2030, according to the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
In Australia, Chery sales were up 267.4 per cent year-on-year in July – following consecutive months of record results in the first half of 2025 – but without a dual-cab ute.
Key rivals BYD and GWM both have dual-cab utes – the BYD Shark 6 and the GWM Cannon Alpha – in the segment, a key advantage over Chery in the sales race. MG is also launching its first ute in Australia, the U9, later this year.
MORE: Chery has multiple ute options on the cards for Australia