Let’s get the simple part out of the way first, and that is with the news that Chery has plans to introduce its Himla pick-up in Malaysia, with a Q2 or Q3 2027 introduction having been indicated for it. Of course, given that any new pick-up with a fresh nameplate coming our way has to be locally-assembled, it will, not surprisingly, be a CKD offering. Now comes the tougher bit, which is establishing the brand name it will wear here, as well as the form it will come in. For the first, things were straightforward up to a few months ago. When it was launched at Auto Shanghai last year, the sub-brand appeared as Himla, a moniker said to be inspired by the Himalayas, also doubling as an acronym for ‘high performance’, ‘innovation’, ‘multifunction’, ‘longevity’ and ‘all-terrain’. That name is meant for global markets, because in China the brand is called Rely. Which is fine, because you’d imagine that the vehicle, codenamed KP11, would be known as the Himla everywhere else, including Malaysia, but this might not be the case, depending on how things pan out elsewhere. Let’s explain why. It has all to do with the appearance of a new Chery concept truck that was revealed in Sydney in February. Unlike the Himla KP11, this one, called the KP31, wears not just a different face (hello, Ford Bronco) but is also that more buff on the whole. Its 5,610 mm length also makes it longer than the regulation KP11 (5,330 mm), but that is likely the result of it incorporating a long bed by default. A reskin then? Maybe. The production version of the model – which will be a global offering – is set to land in Australia sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, and because it remains unnamed, it could wear a completely different name. It will definitely be known by another when the Omoda | Jaecoo version eventually takes flight. Of course, the new one could well end up being a Himla from a Chery perspective, as indicated by a trio of KP31s shown during one of the field activities held as part of the automaker’s 2026 International Business Summit in Wuhu, China, which concluded today. The truck with Chery badging and a China-specific P3X model designation seen in the photos here is clearly the concept unveiled in Australia. The part that provides the stump is the Himla plate identifiers pasted on the two other kitted up versions on display, which despite the dress up exterior work are unmistakably KP31s. Chery Himla KP11 pick-up Still following? There’s a reason for attempting to address the name, because it is almost certain that the KP31 will be the version of the pick-up coming our way, not the Himla KP11, as indicated by the powertrain the company has planned for our market, which is a petrol PHEV. The KP31 was announced with a diesel plug-in hybrid system, which is a world’s first, but oil burners, no matter how efficient they are with the assistance of electrification, are presently not the flavour of the moment, or foreseeable future. A petrol PHEV is, but it was mentioned that it’s about a year away from appearing, which fits nicely with the timeframe for the truck’s planned arrival in Malaysia. As for why it also isn’t the Himla KP11, the only fossil fuel engines available for it are a 2.3 litre turbodiesel and a 2.4 litre petrol. As it is expected to provide decent volume, the pick-up should be built at Chery’s new Smart Auto Industrial Park assembly plant, as word is that the company’s existing Shah Alam facility will be retained to assemble lower volume products, while higher volume models will be produced in Lembah Beringin. Still too early to tell, and so expect more on the pick-up when it gets closer to market reality. GALLERY: Chery Himla KP31 and Himla KP11 pick-ups in Wuhu, China GALLERY: Chery KP31 concept pick-up Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro. Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater. Use the promo code 'PAULTAN' when you checkout for 10% discount!
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