Australians have had their say — and then some — with more than 20,000 submissions flooding in to help name Chery Australia’s upcoming plug-in hybrid diesel ute.
What came back wasn’t just a list of names — it was a snapshot of how Aussies see their utes: tough, dependable, a bit adventurous, and occasionally with a sense of humour.
From 20,000 entries to nine contenders
After sorting through thousands of ideas (including a few tongue-in-cheek classics), Chery has narrowed the field down to nine finalists — each carrying a distinctly Australian flavour and a strong connection to how utes are used across the country.
Here’s the official shortlist, exactly as submitted:
- 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 plug-in hybrid 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 Plug-in Hybrid ute as a reliable, everyday vehicle suited to a wide range of uses.
A ute by Aussies, for Aussies
Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the response shows just how seriously Australians take their utes—even when naming one.
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“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.”
Not all heroes made the shortlist
While the final nine lean into strength, reliability and heritage, the wider list revealed plenty of personality too — entries like “Dropbear” and “B-ute” proving that no naming competition in Australia stays serious for long.
Voting opens soon
The final decision now shifts back to the public, with voting set to open on 5 May and close on 19 May.
There’s also a solid incentive to get involved: whoever submitted the winning name will receive the first production model when the new ute lands in Australia later this year.
Not a bad reward for a name that sticks.
