Chery has appointed Australian engineering firm Premcar to carry out local testing and validation of its upcoming Stockman dual-cab ute, as the Chinese brand steps up preparations for its entry into Australia’s fiercely competitive ute market.

The locally based engineering company will assess the Stockman’s ride and handling across a range of Australian road conditions before the vehicle goes on sale, with the program intended to ensure the ute meets the expectations of local buyers.

Premcar, best known for developing Nissan’s Warrior models for Australia and undertaking vehicle engineering programs for multiple manufacturers, will evaluate the Stockman’s suspension and chassis tuning before the model’s local launch.

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The Stockman is Chery’s first ute and represents a significant expansion of the brand’s Australian line-up beyond SUVs. The name was selected earlier this year following a public competition, beating thousands of suggestions from Australian entrants.

Earlier details released by Chery indicate the Stockman will be offered with a choice of turbo-diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with performance-focused variants also planned. The ute is expected to target established rivals including the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and BYD Shark 6.

Chery Motor Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris said Australia’s demanding conditions made local validation an important part of the development process.

He said Australian customers expected a ute capable of handling everything from city commuting to heavy-duty work and off-road driving, making extensive local testing essential before launch.

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Premcar chief executive Bernie Quinn said the engineering company would assess the vehicle across a variety of Australian conditions to validate Chery’s intended ride and handling characteristics.

Australia has become an increasingly important proving ground for global ute manufacturers, with many brands undertaking local suspension tuning or durability testing before releasing new models. Buyers in the segment typically expect a balance of on-road comfort, towing capability and off-road performance.

The Chery Stockman is scheduled to arrive in Australia in late 2026, with further details, including final specifications, pricing and model grades, expected closer to launch. The new ute is set to become one of the biggest additions to Chery’s rapidly expanding local range as the brand continues to grow its presence in Australia.