First there was Brumby, Jumbuck, then there was Tasman, and now there will be  . . .

As yet, no-one knows.

But Chery is looking for the right answer as it taps the Aussie connection to name its all-new plug-in diesel hybrid ute.

Holden was the first to go all-in on the Aussie connect for its car names, with a string of local heroes including the Torana, Monaro and even the Maloo ute.

Subaru played the smart card by choosing Brumby for the baby pick-up known as the Brat in the USA. It was a working-class hero but was never updated as the Japanese carmaker went upmarket into all-wheel drive sedans and station wagons.

Proton of Malaysia also decided on a local name when it introduced its baby pick-up truck as a follow-up to the Jumbuck.

Its local dealers suggested Jumbuck and the name stuck, although the tiny workhorse – developed from the basics of the Mitsubishi Lancer – was eventually discontinued because of long-term quality dramas and a miserable 2-Star ANCAP safety rating.

Most recently, Kia chose Tasman for the new ute it hopes will eventually challenge the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

The stying of the South Korean workhorse has failed to fire in Australia, but the name is working even if it was not the first choice.

Kia Australia originally wanted Tanami, after the outback desert, but it was rejected by head office in Seoul and a weekend scramble saw Tasman brought in successfully as the second pick.

Now comes Chery, one of the fastest growing Chinese brands in Australia.

It wants a local name to help with sales of its new ute, which is scheduled for the final third of this year with 1000 kilograms of payload and 3.5-tonne towing – although the pure electric range has not been revealed.

Chery said the process will see Aussies joining the name game with an explanation of their suggestion, before potential names are reviewed by the company.
Then there will be a public vote to help make the final decision.

Chery said the winner will receive one of the new utes as their prize, with details and entry information available at:
 https://cherymotor.com.au/ute-name-comp