The Chery KP31 might be coming to Malaysia to change the entire pick-up truck market.
The mid-size pick-up truck segment in Malaysia has long been dominated by traditional Japanese mainstays. However, a massive disruption is on the horizon. The upcoming Chery KP31 pick-up truck (not its final name, still in pre-production form) is positioning itself to not just enter the market, but potentially become the most important automotive launch in the country.
While Chinese rivals like the BYD Shark and GWM POER P11 have faced significant headwinds—essentially seeing their local introductions halted because they lack the necessary Approved Permits (APs) for sustained importation—Chery holds a massive trump card. Chery Malaysia boasts extensive, active local assembly (CKD) facilities. This structural advantage means Chery can likely introduce the KP31 as a locally-assembled CKD model from day one, bypassing import restrictions and offering highly disruptive, tax-incentivized pricing that its competitors simply cannot match.
A World-First: The Diesel Plug-In Hybrid Drivetrain
Unveiled as a concept at Chery’s hybrid showcase event in Sydney, the KP31 is set to become the world’s first utility vehicle to feature a diesel Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) system.
While most upcoming hybrid trucks opt for petrol setups, Chery is giving truck buyers exactly what they want: heavy-duty diesel torque combined with cutting-edge electrification to save fuel. The powertrain pairs a muscular 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with a battery pack large enough to deliver a highly practical 100 km of pure electric driving range.
According to technical insights from the Sydney preview, this 2.5L turbo diesel engine is an engineering marvel:
- Thermal Efficiency: Rated at a class-leading 47%.
- Fuel Economy: It is 10% more fuel-efficient compared to the average conventional diesel powertrain.
- Refinement: Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) levels have been heavily optimized, with the production version promising a 30% vibration reduction compared to standard diesel trucks.
Uncompromised Truck Capability and Dimensions
Purists worried that a hybrid battery would compromise raw truck utility can rest easy. The Chery KP31 matches and exceeds segment benchmarks by providing a highly competitive 1,000 kg payload capacity alongside a robust 3.5-tonne towing capacity.
In terms of physical road presence, the KP31 is a commanding force. The concept vehicle showcased in Sydney measures an imposing 5,610 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,925 mm tall. For the final road-going variant, the production ute will be slightly shorter and more maneuverable, settling at a length of 5,450 mm.
Visually, the concept turns heads with bold, oversized “CHERY” lettering stamped across the front and rear facades. It comes ruggedized out-of-the-box, sporting an integrated snorkel, a heavy-duty tub rack mounted with 4×4 recovery tracks, and chunky 285/70 R17 all-terrain tyres tucked under muscular arches—all wrapped in a premium matte grey paint finish.
The Timeline: When Is It Arriving?
The global rollout is moving quickly. The production model is scheduled to land in international showrooms by Q4 2026, with a conventional petrol PHEV powertrain slated to join the global lineup shortly after in 2027.
Possible names have been suggested through an Australian contest and are still being deliberated. Here’s the shortlist of names that may make the cut: OUTRIDER, ORCA, IRONBARK, BUSHWALKER, STOCKMAN, LONGREACH, RIDGEBACK, TERRA, and MATE.
