It could be said that, when it comes to midsize pickups, one would default to the Japanese brands or Ford. Popular in countries where they’re sold, these trucks have earn solid reputations over the decades.
That said, it hasn’t stopped the Chinese from having a go in the highly competitive segment. Recently, we’ve soon Chinese automakers stepping up their pickup truck game. At the moment, there’s Great Wall Motor, JMC, and Foton as some of the few who would like to rock the establishment.
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Now, there’s a new challenger on the horizon, at least according to a report by Carscoops. That company is Chery, and it’s gunning for the likes of the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, and Toyota Hilux.
It seems that Chery is dead serious about it, too. It won’t be some car/crossover-based truck. The company is said to be taking the traditional truck route by going for a ladder frame chassis. Given that Chery has no frame chassis in its current stable, it’s a bold move on their part.
As for engines, Chinese automakers tend to shy away from turbodiesel. But if Chery wants to penetrate the pickup market, it can either develop its own or source one for diesel engine manufacturers such as VM Motors or Cummins.
There’s also a good chance that it could have engines from Chery’s turbo petrol catalog or even use hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology. A full electric version is within the realm of possibilty as Chinese automakers continuously push for electric powertrains.
It is said that the full reveal is set sometime in 2025. For now, all there’s left to do is wait for official details that could come out within the year.
