Chery Himla has joined the electrified ute battle! Weird name, but Chery is promising competitive capability and hybrid powertrain

April 25, 2025April 25, 2025 Bruce Newton 773 Views 0 Comments Chery, Himla

Chery is the latest Chinese brand to unveil an electrified dual cab ute and it’s looking good to come to Australia.

The Himla – yes Himla – was unveiled this week at the Shanghai motor show as part of a huge model offensive by the Chery group’s various divisions.

Chery has confirmed only a limit amount about the Himla, but we do know there will be a series of utes with this name. Some form of hybrid powertrain as well as an orthodox diesel will be offered, while a battery electric powertrain has also been suggested if not confirmed.

The Himla is already confirmed to go on-sale in central and south America, Europe and South Africa, so it seems fair to suggest it will be heading to ute-mad Australia as well, maybe as soon as late 2025 or 2026.

Local Chery management has spoken enthusiastically about the prospects of a traditional ladder frame dual cab coming to Australia when the Himla was previewed overseas in 2024 under its KP11 codename.

But Chery Australia spokesman Tim Krieger was sounding a more cautious note when contacted for an update.

“We’re always interested in reviewing the exciting product from headquarters,” he said.

“However there are no plans for this model for our market at this time.”

The Himla would seem to be a lock for Australia given the local addiction to them.

And given Chery’s sharp pricing here across its brands – which now also include Jaecoo and Omoda – a Himla diesel would no doubt go into competition against the likes of the GWM Cannon and incoming LDV Terron 9 and MG U9.

A hybrid version – and it could be HEV, PHEV ort EREV given what Chery has in its powertrain arsenal – would take on the BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, JAC T9 Hunter and potentially the Nissan Frontier Pro – if the latter makes it here.

But what about that name?

it’s inspired by the Himalayan mountain range and is also an acronym for high performance, innovation, multifunctional, longevity and all-terrain capability.

The four pillars of functionality it is based on are loading, crossing, camping and towing.

That suggests a one-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, both of which are fundamentals for ute success in Australia.

During yesterday’s presentation it was revealed the Himla was the result of more than two-years of research and development effort involving 30 countries.

The vehicle on-show rolled on 19-inch alloy wheels, was fitted with LED headlights and included a sports bar and tubliner for the cargo area.

Inside, a digital instrument displayed in front of the driver while a large infotainment touchscreen sat proud of the two-tone dashboard. A Ford Ranger-style drive selector was mounted on the centre console.