Chery’s upcoming plug-in pickup targets rivals with a turbodiesel setup. The cabin mixes rugged controls with softer materials and cleaner finishes. Payload and towing figures line up with what buyers expect in this segment. As Australia’s pickup truck market grows more competitive, new players are leaning heavily on design, luxury and tech to stand out in a space long defined by function over flair. Chinese automotive juggernaut Chery wants to shake up the mid-size pickup truck market in Australia with its plug-in hybrid diesel offering, currently known as the KP31. Hot on the heels of the vehicle’s exterior unveiling, Chery has now revealed the KP31’s interior, which may well be the most distinctive part of the truck’s design. For a segment long defined by hard plastics and low-effort layouts, this feels like a big step away from the norm. Models like the BYD Shark 6 and Kia Tasman have begun nudging expectations upward, and the KP31 appears keen to build on that momentum, pairing a more premium atmosphere with the kind of toughness buyers still expect from a working truck. Read: China Built The Bronco Pickup Ford Won’t Showcased with a two-tone tan-and-black finish, the upcoming truck features a two-spoke steering wheel and a large infotainment screen in the center of the dash, just like the Shark. There’s also a digital instrument cluster and what appears to be Alcantara adorning the upper part of the dashboard. Can It Survive In Australia? The switchgear looks particularly brutish, with large toggles for climate control and other vehicle functions, including at least two large rotary knobs for various settings. Positioned just below these toggles are slim air vents and a pair of wireless charging pads. Chery has also added a hefty gear selector and physical controls for the off-road modes, locking differentials, and the heated and ventilated seats. Powertrain Details While the truck’s final name remains unconfirmed, it will debut with what Chery describes as the first plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain of its kind, built around a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Power figures have yet to be released. However, the company targets a payload of up to 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) and a towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs). A gasoline-powered plug-in hybrid variant is expected to follow after the diesel model’s launch. Built on a ladder frame chassis, the KP31 is aimed squarely at traditional workhorse expectations. First customer deliveries are expected before the end of 2026. Pricing has not been announced, though estimates suggest it could start at around AU$60,000 ($42,400), placing it directly against rivals such as the BYD Shark 6, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux.
Liked by Ethan Turner, Samuel TremblayLiked by Ethan Turner, Samuel Tremblay
Liked by Ethan Turner, Samuel Tremblay
