Geely is building a four-wheel-drive ute specifically for Australia, and the brand's local CEO has confirmed it will land in 2028 or 2029 with plug-in hybrid power. The brief is more rugged than the car-derived Riddara ute Geely sells overseas, with off-road capability and serious tow ratings the focus.
Geely Australia CEO Alex Gu told Australian motoring media that the company is taking a different approach to most Chinese rivals, building a ute around Australian conditions rather than retrofitting an existing global product. For Carseekers readers tracking the Chinese ute wave, Geely is the next major brand after BYD and GWM to commit to a serious dual-cab.
The target rivals are clear: the BYD Shark 6, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the Ford Ranger PHEV that has just landed locally.
Why the Geely ute will not be petrol-only
Gu has been explicit that Geely will not bring an internal combustion-only ute to Australia. The first version is locked in as plug-in hybrid, with possible diesel hybrid variants further down the line as the technology matures.
"So first we could do the plug-in hybrid. But also the next time, next generation, I'm not sure so far. Based on the study, [there] could be others, like diesel plug-in hybrid, a mixture," Gu said. That diesel-PHEV combination is unusual but increasingly being explored by Chinese makers, who see it as the perfect compromise for tradies who tow heavy loads.
The pure electric ute path is also notably absent from Gu's comments. Geely appears to have made the same call as BYD and GWM: Australian ute buyers want long-distance and high-payload capability, which battery-only powertrains struggle to deliver in this segment without compromise.
The 400kW V6 hybrid that could power it
Geely could equip the future ute with a new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 hybrid powertrain developed by Horse, an engine joint-venture between Geely and Renault. With electric assistance, that engine can develop up to 400kW and 700Nm.
Those are supercar numbers in a ute context. For comparison, the BYD Shark 6 Performance produces 350kW combined, while the diesel V6 Ford Ranger Wildtrak puts out 184kW and 600Nm. A 400kW Geely ute would be the most powerful production dual-cab sold in Australia.
"V6 engine, right, as you may study about the Zeekr, we use two or four electric motors to make even more horsepower. This is a very good upgrade of technology," Gu said when asked about the V6 hybrid setup. The engineering complexity in a tow-rated dual-cab will be significant, and so will the price tag.
Independent or live rear axle?
The rolling off-road chassis Geely showed at Beijing motor show last month was fitted with independent suspension front and rear. That works well for on-road comfort and handling, but it is not what most tradies want under a fully laden tray.
Gu indicated the Australian ute could be "a little different" in suspension setup, leaving the door open for a more rugged live rear axle if load carrying is the focus. Live rear axle is the standard format for the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, and most heavy-duty utes globally, because it handles weight and tow loads better than independent rear suspension.
If Geely commits to live rear axle for Australia, this is a serious work-and-tow ute. If it stays with independent suspension throughout, it becomes a lifestyle ute aimed at families and weekenders rather than full-time tradies. That single engineering call will define the addressable market here.
Where this fits in the Chinese ute war
The Australian ute market is now in the middle of a Chinese product wave. The BYD Shark 6 has been one of the fastest-launching new dual-cabs in years, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is on showrooms now from $57,490 drive-away, and the JAC Hunter PHEV has just opened pre-orders under $50,000 plus on-road costs.
Geely arriving in 2028 or 2029 means it will land into a much more crowded segment than the one BYD and GWM walked into. By then, the Toyota HiLux will be three years into a new-generation hybrid, the Ford Ranger PHEV will be a known quantity, and even Mitsubishi will likely have its own electrified Triton.
For buyers, that crowded launch window is good news. More entrants drive harder dealer offers, sharper drive-away pricing, and more aggressive trade-in valuations across the segment. Anyone shopping a ute right now should expect those conditions to continue tightening through to 2028.
What this means for current ute shoppers
If you are buying a ute now, the Geely arriving in 2028 should not change your decision. Three years is too long to wait, and there are good options on the floor today across the petrol-electric, diesel and PHEV categories.
If you are leasing for three years and considering your next ute in 2028 or 2029, the Geely is worth bookmarking. By then, the Australian dealer network will have stabilised, the warranty experience will be clearer, and the local tuning work will be done.
Geely's CEO comment that the brand sees Australia "as one of the strategic markets globally" is more than marketing speak. It is the brand committing to genuine local product engineering rather than just rebranding existing exports, which is exactly what the segment needs.
What Carseekers thinks
A 2028 or 2029 Geely ute with the right engineering decisions could be a genuinely strong rival to the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha. The 400kW V6 hybrid pitch is exciting but also expensive, and the more important question is whether Geely commits to a proper live rear axle for tow-rated buyers. Watch for the production reveal in 2027 to confirm the suspension setup and pricing band.
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The finer details
Your questions answered.
When will the Geely ute arrive in Australia?
Geely Australia CEO Alex Gu has said the ute is two to three years away, putting Australian launch in 2028 or 2029. A production reveal is likely in 2027 ahead of dealer pre-orders opening.
Will the Geely ute be petrol or hybrid?
Geely has confirmed the first Australian ute will be plug-in hybrid, with no pure petrol version planned. Diesel plug-in hybrid variants are being studied for later generations, but the initial launch will be petrol-electric only.
How does the Geely ute compare to the BYD Shark 6?
The Geely is being engineered specifically for Australian off-road and load-carrying conditions, where the BYD Shark 6 is a global product adapted for our market. With possible 400kW V6 hybrid power, the Geely could outperform even the 350kW Shark 6 Performance, although price and tow specs are yet to be confirmed.
What is the V6 hybrid engine that could power the Geely ute?
Geely's joint venture with Renault, called Horse, has developed a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 hybrid producing up to 400kW and 700Nm with electric assistance. CEO Alex Gu has indicated this engine is a candidate for the Australian ute.
Will the Geely ute have a live rear axle for towing?
The chassis Geely showed at the Beijing motor show used independent rear suspension, but Gu has said the Australian version could be different. A live rear axle would make the Geely a serious tow-rated rival to the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6, while independent suspension would position it more as a lifestyle ute.
Should I wait for the Geely ute or buy a Shark 6 or Cannon Alpha now?
Three years is too long to wait if you need a ute now. The BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV are all on dealer floors today, and JAC's Hunter PHEV opens pricing under $50,000 plus on-road costs. The Geely is worth bookmarking only if your replacement cycle naturally falls in the 2028 or 2029 window.
