No one saw this coming. Not Ford. Not Toyota. Not even BYD, the fast-rising Chinese auto giant that’s been stealing headlines for years. But now, a company many once dismissed as an EV budget brand is about to upend the global pickup market — and it isn’t doing it quietly.
Chery, long known for its affordable electric cars and crossovers, has officially unveiled a diesel plug-in hybrid pickup that industry insiders are already calling a “game-changer”. In a surprise announcement earlier this week, Chery CEO Yin Tongyue confidently declared that their new hybrid truck will “wipe the floor” with the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and BYD Shark — three of the world’s best-selling, most respected pickup trucks.
A Bold New Contender in a Crowded Battlefield
Codenamed “Project C-Torque” during development, the production-ready version is reportedly named Chery Tansuo 06 Hybrid Diesel-PHEV. And while the name may not roll off the tongue, its performance stats absolutely do.
According to leaked spec sheets and unofficial test reports from China’s automotive media, the Tansuo 06 combines a 2.4L turbocharged diesel engine with a powerful dual-motor plug-in hybrid system delivering a staggering 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque — numbers that instantly put it ahead of both the Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Hilux GR Sport.
The vehicle can reportedly sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds — unheard of for a mid-size diesel pickup — while offering over 1,200 km of combined range on a full diesel tank and battery charge.
Secret Testing in Brutal Conditions
Chery didn’t stop at building a powertrain on paper. In a move reminiscent of early Ford F-150 Raptor torture tests, the automaker quietly conducted over 500,000 km of off-road endurance testing in remote regions of Tibet, the Gobi Desert, and the freezing Siberian tundra.
Footage leaked last month showed camouflaged prototypes fording rivers, climbing rock faces, and hammering through snowstorms. According to insiders, Chery engineers built the Tansuo 06 with one mission: to beat the world’s toughest trucks at their own game.
“This is not a lifestyle pickup. It’s built for real work, in real conditions,” said one source close to the project.
An Industry-Wide Wake-Up Call
For years, diesel-powered pickups have remained one of the last frontiers for electrification. Brands like Ford and Toyota have dabbled in mild hybrids, but no one has fully committed to a diesel plug-in hybrid in the segment — until now.
What makes the Tansuo 06 particularly disruptive is its ability to leverage both torque-rich diesel power and instant electric acceleration. It reportedly uses an adaptive dual-power management system that switches seamlessly between electric, diesel, or combined modes depending on terrain and driving demands.
“The dual-mode setup means you get monstrous towing power and off-road stamina from diesel, but the silent, clean efficiency of electric when you need it,” a Chery executive told Chinese media.
Why Global Rivals Are Nervous
The timing of this launch couldn’t be worse for competitors. The global pickup market, worth an estimated $200 billion annually, has been under pressure from new emissions regulations, fluctuating fuel prices, and growing consumer demand for greener but capable vehicles.
While Tesla and Rivian target the luxury electric truck segment, the workhorse mid-size diesel pickup remains a critical niche — especially in markets like Australia, South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Chery’s move is seen as a direct shot across the bow at established brands who have either stalled or underestimated demand for serious hybrid trucks.
“They’ve caught Ford and Toyota flat-footed,” said automotive analyst Jason Fanwick. “The BYD Shark isn’t even in dealerships yet outside China, and now it looks like it might already be outgunned.”
What Happens Next
Chery plans to officially debut the Tansuo 06 Hybrid Diesel-PHEV at the 2025 Chengdu Auto Show in August, with international launches in Australia, South Africa, and the Middle East scheduled for early 2026.
If early orders in China — reportedly 50,000 units within the first week of pre-sales — are any indication, the global pickup hierarchy is about to shift dramatically.
And for the first time in decades, it won’t be a Ford, Toyota, or American badge leading the charge. It will be a bold, brash, battle-tested diesel hybrid from a company once laughed at for making cheap electric compacts.
Now, the question is no longer if Chery can take on the big boys. It’s how fast they can outpace them.
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