Chinese utes, or pickups, have long been banned on most urban roads in China, with only around two per cent of vehicle sales nationwide being utes, and these mostly being used for rural purposes. However, in the middle of last year, the central city of Chongqing became the first in the country to lift the ban on pickups, and other cities and provinces have since followed suit, leading to a growing interest in utes for recreational use, such as camping.
In response to this trend, domestic carmakers in China have been ramping up their product offerings, developing features designed to make their utes more consumer and camping friendly. One example is the Radar RD6, a fully electric ute developed by Geely subsidiary Radar Auto. The main party trick of this vehicle is its “Penetrating Cargo Box,” which takes the concept of a split-folding rear seat from a passenger vehicle and applies it to a ute. The RD6 features a foldable rear panel allowing rear passengers access to the load bed, and load-bearing parts of the body structure have been re-engineered to accommodate this. The aim is to link the passenger compartment to the load bed, making it easier to access items in the cargo compartment, such as cold drinks in the car refrigerator.
Another example is the SAIC Maxus T90, also known as the “Bull” in China. This ute has long been rumoured for local market introduction, but nothing has been confirmed so far. Its maker has been experimenting with various tray enhancements, including an inverter on the right-hand side to provide power for tools, lighting and camping gear. An induction cooktop is also set to be offered for location in the middle of the tailgate for use when folded down, with storage compartments either side. On the left side, hidden behind a door, there is a water tank and multi-purpose hose.
Chery Automobile, which has so far focused on passenger vehicles, has recently announced its ambition of producing at least one small unibody ute, as well as a full body-on-frame dual-cab model. The latter is potentially a key part of the brand’s long-term strategy following re-entry to the Australian market, currently scheduled for the first quarter of this year. Chery patent documents detail a soft-top cargo box cover designed for utes, turning the two longer sides of the tray into spaces that can accommodate cavities topped by roller shutter covers, similar to Ram’s ‘Ram Box’ storage spaces.
Finally, the Changan Kaicheng F300 dual-cab ute, launched in the middle of last year, includes an outward-opening pedal, which allows for easier access to the load bed. This feature is particularly useful for older people or those with mobility issues, as it eliminates the need to climb into the load bed.
The Chinese market for utes is still relatively small, but with more cities and provinces lifting the ban on pickups and growing interest in recreational use, domestic carmakers are responding by developing innovative features to make their utes more consumer-friendly and appealing to a wider range of buyers. As the Chinese market for utes continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these features evolve and how they might be adopted by carmakers in other countries.
