Chery, the well-known Chinese automaker, has added another sub-brand to its growing lineup. This time, it’s Himla—a new pickup brand that made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show. The first Himla model is a midsize truck designed to take on the Toyota Hilux in the competitive global market.
At first glance, the Himla pickup looks very similar to the KP11 prototype revealed back in October 2024. The main differences include a fresh paint color, updated wheel design, and a simpler version with fewer accessories. The truck proudly displays Chery branding on the grille, while the Himla emblem, inspired by the Himalayas, takes center stage on the tailgate.
Resilient yet familiar design
The Himla pickup has a bold and rugged look, featuring split LED headlights, aluminum-style skid plates, and muscular fenders. Integrated side steps on the rear bumper add practicality, while the truck’s alloy wheels and all-terrain tires suggest it’s ready for adventure. With solid ground clearance, it seems to be a high-spec trim, comparable to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
Inside, the Himla offers a modern and stylish cabin. A large touchscreen dominates the dashboard, accompanied by a digital instrument cluster. The light-colored upholstery gives the interior a premium feel, and rear passengers benefit from their own climate vents.
Powertrain options and global reach
Although Chery hasn’t revealed detailed specs for the Himla, the truck looks production-ready. It’s expected to be built on a ladder-frame chassis, making it competitive in terms of payload and towing capacity. Under the hood, there will likely be options for gasoline, diesel, and even electrified powertrains.
Himla pickups are set to be exported to Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Chery promises a full lineup of models, ranging from compact to midsize and large pickups. The brand aims to combine strong off-road capabilities with refined designs, though it remains to be seen how these promises will hold up in real-world use.
Expanding Chery’s portfolio
In addition to Himla, Chery is reviving its Rely brand, which will focus exclusively on pickups with a mix of combustion, electric, and hybrid powertrains. With Himla and Rely, Chery is further expanding its already diverse portfolio, which includes sub-brands like Exeed, Jetour, and Omoda.
Chery’s latest move shows its ambition to shake up the global pickup market. Whether Himla can truly rival established players like Toyota remains to be seen, but it’s certainly an exciting development for truck enthusiasts worldwide.
