Chery patents compact pickup to rival Ford Maverick globally

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Chery is preparing a crossover pickup inspired by the Ford Maverick.

It will likely offer SUV-like comfort, unibody construction, and hybrid power.

The compact model is expected for global markets, but not North America.

Patent images believed to preview a new Chery small pickup have appeared online, first shared by Cars.co.za and picked up more recently by CarExpert . Using those filings as a starting point, we rendered our own take on how the production truck could look . The drawings give the clearest indication yet that the Chinese automaker wants a piece of the compact lifestyle utility segment, the same territory Ford’s Maverick made popular.

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While Chery has yet to confirm the project, the South African-registered filings point to a production model that blends crossover comfort with pickup practicality. The model is also set to spawn an SUV variant under the ‘ Tiggo ’ sub-branding, aimed at markets including China, South America, South Africa, and parts of Asia-Pacific.

Urban Toughness

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Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

Styling-wise, it’s essentially a muscular crossover reworked into a pickup-style, dual-cab Ute. Up front, it features a full-width DRL with the word ‘ Chery ’ emblazoned in bold lettering. Further down, chunky lower cladding, aluminum skid plate elements, and dark-colored bumper exude off-road utility.

In profile, it has a relatively short cargo bed with four doors (the rears have hidden handles) and a high beltline. Deeply sculptured doors feature distinctive recessed surfacing that flows into squared-off wheel arches, while bold cladding and pronounced rocker panels fit the brief.

Chery patents (via Cars.co.za)

The contrasting black roof and sports bar exude whiffs of a certain Pontiac that once did the rounds in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fortunately, the rear is less jarring with full-width LED taillamps, an upright tailgate, textured bumper inserts and faux skid-plating.

Interior and Underpinnings

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The interior of the new Chery Stockman pickup.

The interior remains under wraps, but recent Chery launches like the larger Stockman (pictured above) provide strong pointers of what to expect. Likely items include a large, freestanding infotainment display paired with a digital instrument cluster, featuring wireless phone mirroring, charging, and over-the-air updates.

Unlike its American Ford Maverick equivalent , the cabin is likely to be a premium affair with high-grade plastics, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic glass roof and ambient lighting. Behind the second row, its compact bed will prioritize versatility over outright payload. Expect stowable seating and rear pass-through loading into the cabin area for longer items.

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While technical details remain limited, the pickup will use the T1X unibody architecture rather than a traditional ladder frame chassis. It’ll likely sport independent rear suspension to deliver more car-like handling as opposed to a trail-rated setup.

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Hybrid Power

Chery has numerous powertrain options up its sleeve. Entry variants could utilise either a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder or a newer 208 hp (155 kW) 2.0-litre turbo for flagship models.

More: Ford CEO Suddenly Reopens The Door To A New Falcon Ute

Plug-in hybrid capability is a certainty with Chery’s latest Super Hybrid (CSH) system already being rolled across its Tiggo-branded lineup. This setup combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack to deliver up to 56 miles (90 km) of all-electric driving.

Front and all-wheel-drive options are said to be on the cards, as is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.

Rivals and Reveal

Ram Rampage

Sitting below the newly named ‘ Stockman ’ mid-size pickup, the Chery Ute’s primary rivals include the Fiat Toro , Chevrolet Montana , Ram Rampage , VW Tukan and Toyota’s unnamed Corolla Cross Ute.

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Production timing remains unconfirmed, but with patent filings already published, we expect a debut within the next 12 months.

While we won’t see it on US soil, it does beg the question: should more manufacturers develop more car-based pickups? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops