SYDNEY: Chery Australia has unveiled the shortlist of nine names for its upcoming world-first PHEV (plug-in hybrid) diesel ute, after a public call-out that resulted in an overwhelming response of over 20,000 submissions from Australians nationwide.
Submissions drew on themes of performance and durability, as well as the role utes play in everyday work and lifestyle, with each entrant required to articulate why their name belonged to the vehicle.
Names shortlisted include:
- Outrider, put forward by Tina L, Western Australia, draws on the Australian tradition of the outrider, someone who rode ahead to scout unknown territory, speaking to the ute being a category leader with a focus on capability, efficiency, and range.
- Orca, submitted by Fred Z, Victoria, draws on the orca’s reputation for strength, intelligence and adaptability, aligning with Chery’s hybrid ute as a capable, versatile vehicle.
- Ironbark, shared by Nadine G, Queensland, is inspired by Australia's iconic eucalyptus trees, reflecting Chery’s ute as a robust, dependable vehicle.
- Bushwalker, contributed by Hong Chang Z, New South Wales, captures the spirit of the Australian outdoors and a ute designed to feel at home across any terrain.
- STOCKMAN, put forward by Steve K, Victoria, reflects the perseverance and reliability of Australia’s stockmen, symbolising a ute built to go the distance in demanding environments.
- Longreach, submitted by Robert H. New South Wales, draws on Australia’s rural heartland, representing durability and long-haul performance.
- Ridgeback, suggested by Rachel I, Western Australia, combines references to rugged terrain and dependable performance, aligning with Chery’s diesel PHEV ute as a capable and durable vehicle suited to demanding Australian conditions.
- Terra, proposed by Jason C, New South Wales, takes its name from the Latin word for earth, grounding the vehicle in the terrain it’s designed for, while also allowing for a range of variants that reflect how utes are used across different Australian conditions.
- Mate, proposed by Jeremy T, New South Wales, references a distinctly Australian term associated with familiarity and trust, reflecting Chery’s diesel PHEV ute as a reliable, everyday vehicle suited to a wide range of uses.
The announcement marks the next phase of the competition, with Australians soon invited to vote for their preferred name before the final winner is revealed.
Voting opened on May 5 and will close on May 19.
The individual who submitted the winning name will receive the first Chery ute when it arrives in Australia later this year.
Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris said the breadth and quality of submissions made the shortlisting process both exciting and challenging.
“We asked Australians to help name this ute, and they delivered in a big way. The shortlisted names show just how passionate Aussies are about utes, but also how they’re thinking about the next generation of vehicles as new energy technology evolves.”
Beyond the shortlist, the competition also surfaced a wave of creative and unexpected entries, including ‘Dropbear’ and ‘B-ute' highlighting the imagination and humour of participants across the country.
