2026 Chery Himla Ute: This Is It

The 2026 Chery Himla ute has been unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, after months of rumour and speculation.

The Himla is the first dual-cab ute from Chery, with the Chinese brand no doubt targeting the Australian market, as well as other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

Internal documents from 2022 obtained by CarSauce – before the brand re-launched in Australia – shows Chery was aiming to reach sales of 30,000 vehicles in Australia by 2024.

However, the brand sold fewer than 13,000 cars locally. A dual-cab ute could be the missing ingredient.

Based on a ladder-frame chassis, the Himla is expected to be launched in some markets with a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with a turbo-diesel version almost guaranteed for Australia, with four-wheel drive also expected – likely with some degree of off-road capability.

According to overseas reports, a plug-in hybrid Chery Himla is also in development, combining two electric motors with a turbocharged petrol engine – designed to directly compete with the BYD Shark 6 ute.

Speaking with Chery's chief engineer Dr David Lu at the show, CarSauce understands that the Himla’s PHEV system will be closely related to the one used in the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEVs. That means a fifth-generation dedicated hybrid engine with 44.5% thermal efficiency, paired with a stepless DHT transmission offering 98.5% efficiency, and delivering a combined range of over 1,400km.

In the Tiggo 7 PHEV, this translates to 95km of EV-only range via an 18.5kWh battery, with total power output of approximately 230kW. A larger Tiggo 9 PHEV setup is known to produce 280kW thanks to a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged GDI engine and higher-output electric motor, figures that could carry across to flagship HIMLA variants.

While final specifications remain under wraps, the Himla's exterior design takes clear inspiration from Chery’s “spirit of conquest” mantra. HIMLA, a name derived from the Himalayas, reflects a brand image built around strength, exploration, and capability.

Chery has confirmed that the Himla will eventually cover compact, mid-size, and large-size pickup segments, positioning it as a global product designed to cater to both commercial and lifestyle-oriented buyers.

The company says the Himla range has been engineered with input from over 30 countries, ensuring it meets global expectations in comfort, performance, and utility. Tech-forward features are also promised, including a class-leading intelligent cockpit, off-road driving modes, and efficient powertrains.

The HIMLA is part of Chery’s broader strategy to expand into new vehicle segments – including MPVs – and achieve 1 million global vehicle sales by 2027. It plays a pivotal role in the brand’s new energy push, leveraging hybrid and EV technologies already seen in Chery’s latest SUV lineup.

While nothing has been officially confirmed for the Australian market, the Himla is almost certainly coming to local showrooms, with pricing anticipated to be on-par with the likes of other Chinese utes – such as GWM, LDV, and BYD.

This story will be updated with further details, as specifications of the Chery Himla are expected to be released in the coming days.