en.Wedoany.com Reported - Patent images of Chinese Chery's new compact pickup have been first revealed by South African media Cars.co.za, later republished by CarExpert. The model is built on the T1X unibody architecture and aims to enter the compact multi-purpose pickup market dominated by the Ford Maverick.
Although Chery has not officially confirmed the project, patent documents registered in South Africa point to a production model that blends crossover comfort with pickup practicality. The vehicle is also planned to launch an SUV version under the "Tiggo" sub-brand, targeting markets including China, South America, South Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
From the exterior, the vehicle is essentially a muscular crossover transformed into a pickup, adopting a double-cab Ute form. The front features a full-width daytime running light (DRL) strip and a bold "Chery" emblem, with a thick lower bumper, aluminum skid plate elements, and dark-colored bumper exuding off-road practicality. The side profile reveals a relatively short cargo bed, four-door layout (with hidden rear door handles), and a high beltline. The deeply sculpted doors have unique recessed surface treatments flowing into square wheel arches, while the bold cladding and pronounced side skirts meet design requirements.
A contrasting black roof and sport bar are distinctive exterior features. The rear adopts full-width LED taillights, an upright tailgate, textured bumper inserts, and faux skid plates.
The interior design has not been disclosed yet, but referencing Chery's recently launched larger model, the Stockman (pictured), the vehicle is expected to feature a large standalone infotainment display paired with a digital instrument cluster, offering wireless phone mirroring, wireless charging, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Unlike the US-spec Ford Maverick, its cabin may be more upscale, with high-quality plastics, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting. The compact cargo bed will prioritize versatility over payload, with foldable seats and a rear pass-through expected to allow loading of long items into the cabin area.
On the technical side, this pickup adopts the T1X unibody architecture rather than a traditional ladder frame chassis, and may feature an independent rear suspension for car-like handling rather than off-road orientation. Powertrain options include an entry-level 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a flagship 208-horsepower (155 kW) 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. A plug-in hybrid version will utilize Chery's latest Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) system, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery pack, offering approximately 56 miles (90 km) of pure electric range. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are planned, along with vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
This model will sit below Chery's newly named "Stockman" mid-size pickup, with key competitors including the Fiat Toro, Chevrolet Montana, Ram Rampage, VW Tukan, and Toyota's unnamed Corolla Cross Ute. Production timing has not been confirmed, but given the patent documents have been published, the vehicle is expected to debut within the next 12 months.
