MODEL NAMES ARE OFTEN RECYCLED, but not so often across brands. Chery decided to call on the public to help it name its new ute.
After receiving more than 20,000 submissions from Australians across the country, then narrowed down to eight, Chery Australia can officially reveal ‘Stockman’ is to title the brand’s upcoming diesel Plug-in Hybrid ute, marking the conclusion of an unprecedented competition that was embraced by drivers across the nation.
The winning name came from Victoria’s Steve Kodikara, who will now drive away with the first Stockman ute when it lands in Australia later this year. But those with slightly onger memories will recall that the Stockman name once adorned a Suzuki.
Launched earlier this year, the competition invited Australians to help name a ute designed specifically for them, driving an overwhelming response from motorists, tradies, families, ute enthusiasts and regional communities nationwide. Following an extensive review and public voting process, ‘Stockman’ emerged as the winning name.
Inspired by the resilience, dependability and hard-working spirit of Australia’s stockmen, the name reflects the characteristics Chery believes define its first ute: capability, endurance and versatility across a wide range of Australian conditions.
Steve’s submission stood out not only for the name itself, but for the story behind it. Steve described the stockman as Australia’s original workhorse, someone able to navigate challenging terrain, overcome obstacles and earn trust through reliability and perseverance. He drew parallels between that spirit and Chery’s ute, which combines traditional capability with next-generation technology.
“I’m incredibly honoured that Stockman was chosen from the thousands of entries submitted to title Chery’s new ute. I felt the name captured the spirit of Australia’s original workhorse and everything a ute should represent: reliability, capability and resilience. I’m glad it resonated with Australians, and I’m thrilled to see it become part of Chery’s story,” said Steve Kodikara.
Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Chery Australia, said the response to the competition exceeded all expectations.
“The response to this competition exceeded our expectations and showcased just how passionate Australians are about utes,” said Harris. “Stockman stood out because it captured something uniquely Australian while reflecting the capability, reliability and innovation behind our upcoming ute. Steve’s submission brought the name to life through a compelling story, connecting Australia’s heritage with the next generation of ute technology.”
Stockman emerged from a highly competitive shortlist that included Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra and Mate, ultimately receiving more than 25 percent of votes cast by over 12,000 Australians during the public voting phase. And you may recognise some of those as names previosuly used by other brands.
The Stockman will debut as Chery Australia’s first ute and the nation’s first diesel Plug-in Hybrid, combining diesel power with advanced plug-in hybrid technology, the vehicle represents a significant milestone for Chery as it continues to expand its local portfolio.
Further details, including specifications, pricing and launch timing for Stockman, will be announced closer to market introduction.