Chery ute poised to use one of these nine shortlisted model names

Nine names are in contention for Chery's upcoming diesel plug-in hybrid ute, currently known by its KP31 codename, ahead of its Australian arrival later this year.

Chery has confirmed nine public submissions that have made its shortlist: Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra, and Mate.

Some names have obvious Australian links, such as Mate, while others have been applied to utes sold locally before, including Stockman on a Suzuki and Longreach on a Ford Falcon.

Trademark filings point to a longer list of options for the KP31 or other future Chery models, outside the fan-submitted shortlist, with the brand also filing to protect Mankarra, Warlu, Terravon, Pioneer, Vanguard, Altrex, Wayfarer, and Trailmaster in recent months.

It has also filed to protect Megalodon, an extinct species of shark, while Orca on the official shortlist is named after the sea creature "widely regarded as the most powerful predator in the ocean, mightier even than the shark," a dig at BYD.

The winner of the contest will receive the first Chery ute to be delivered in Australia, when the diesel plug-in hybrid arrives between October and December.

Chery is inviting the public to vote on their favourite from the shortlist, which was narrowed down from 20,000 suggestions. Chery will have the final say on the name it takes to production.

It will be followed by a petrol plug-in hybrid due in 2027, which is expected to swap leaf-sprung rear suspension for coil springs, similar to the Shark 6.

Limited information on the Chery ute's power output, batteries, charging and range has been announced, but the brand claims a 1000kg payload and 3500kg tow rating from the diesel, which will use a 2.5-litre engine.

Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris said in a media statement: “We asked Australians to help name this ute, and they delivered in a big way.”