Chery Tiggo Leaves Suzuki ‘Flattered’ with Impressive Performance

Chery Unveils Australian Name for First Ute, Stockman

Australian automaker Chery has recently revealed the name for its upcoming ute in Australia, choosing the distinctively Australian name “Stockman.” Interestingly, this name has been previously used on another ute in Australia, the Suzuki Stockman.

Unlike the diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute that Chery is set to launch this year to compete with the Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6, the Suzuki Stockman was a smaller ute based on the Sierra off-roader and has been around since 1979.

The Suzuki Stockman was part of the LJ off-roader range in Australia, and with the introduction of the Sierra in 1981, the Stockman name was specifically reserved for the ute body style.

Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia’s general manager of automobiles, expressed his pride in the Stockman name’s legacy in Australian motoring, stating that it has always been associated with Suzuki’s adventure and capability.

Chery’s Ute Naming Competition and Shortlisted Names

Chery’s decision to name their ute “Stockman” was part of a wider naming competition that received over 20,000 submissions. Other names on the shortlist included “Longreach,” previously a trim level on the Ford Falcon ute, and “Terra,” the name of a Nissan Navara-based SUV.

Another interesting name shortlisted was “Orca,” a playful reference to the BYD Shark 6, a competitor to the Chery Stockman.

Chery and Suzuki Sales Performance in Australia

Chery has seen a significant growth in sales in Australia, with a 176.8% increase in 2025, positioning the brand at 13th place in the market. On the other hand, Suzuki’s sales have declined, down 27.7% last year, placing them at 20th position.

While Suzuki and Chery compete in different market segments, Suzuki’s Vitara and Chery’s Tiggo 4 are direct rivals. Despite Suzuki’s popularity with models like the Jimny, there is no ute version available.

Future Plans for Chery and Suzuki in the Australian Market

Chery is looking to secure a top-five spot in the Australian market by 2027 with the introduction of the Stockman ute, which will initially feature a diesel PHEV powertrain, followed by a petrol PHEV option in 2027.

On the other hand, Suzuki does not currently offer a conventional ute in any market but has had success with pickup versions of its commercial vehicle, the Carry. Their last attempt at a Ford Ranger rival was the Equator, a rebadged Nissan Frontier sold in the US from 2009 to 2012.

Conclusion

Both Chery and Suzuki have unique histories in the Australian automotive market, with the Stockman name bringing back memories of Suzuki’s adventure and capability. While Chery aims for growth with the Stockman ute, Suzuki continues to focus on popular models like the Jimny. It will be interesting to see how these two brands evolve in the competitive Australian automotive landscape.