Chery Australia has officially named its upcoming pick-up truck the Stockman, bringing to a close a nationwide competition that attracted more than 20,000 entries from Australians.
The winning name was submitted by Victorian resident Steve Kodikara, who will receive the first Chery Stockman when the new model arrives in Australian showrooms later this year.
Launched earlier in 2026, the campaign invited Australians to help name Chery’s first pick-up truck or ute as it’s known there.
The response came from a broad cross-section of the country, including tradespeople, families, ute enthusiasts and regional communities. After an evaluation process and public vote, Stockman emerged as the clear winner.
According to Chery, the name draws inspiration from Australia’s stockmen, whose reputation for toughness, reliability and adaptability reflects the qualities the company wants associated with its new ute.
Kodikara’s entry stood out for the reasoning behind the name. He described the stockman as Australia’s original workhorse, capable of tackling difficult terrain while earning trust through resilience and dependability. He also linked those qualities to the vehicle’s blend of traditional utility and modern technology.
The final shortlist featured eight other contenders: Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate. During the public voting stage, Stockman secured more than 25 per cent of votes cast by over 12,000 participants.
The Stockman is significant for more than just its name.
Chery said it will be Australia’s first diesel plug-in hybrid ute, combining a diesel engine with plug-in hybrid technology. The model will also mark the brand’s entry into the highly competitive ute segment as it continues expanding its local line-up.
Further information, including pricing, specifications and launch timing, will be released closer to the vehicle’s Australian debut.
