China’s Geely Radar electric ute two big steps closer to Australia
Australia is back in line for the Geely Radar electric ute thanks to a name change – and the start of right-hand-drive production.
The Radar RD6 electric ute from Chinese car giant Geely has taken two giant leaps towards an arrival in Australian showrooms.
Geely announced over the weekend the ute – unveiled for China nearly two years ago – is now manufactured in right-hand drive, promising on its global social media channels it will be "available in your market soon!"
And the Chinese car giant has cleared another hurdle facing its Australian launch – its name.
Rather than Radar – an Australian trademark for which was blocked by a Singapore-based tyre company that sells Radar tyres in various countries – the electric ute now appears set to be known as the Riddara.
Visible on the bonnet of the right-hand-drive RD6 in Geely's images, Riddara has been trademarked by the Chinese car giant in Australia without opposition – filed one day after Drive reported on the opposition to the Radar name last year.
According to a new website for the brand – which appears to have been designed by an Australian software firm – "Riddara is an international pick-up truck brand owned by Radar Auto," suggesting the name will be reserved for export markets.
Drive has contacted Riddara – and parent company Geely – for more information on plans to sell the ute in Australia, and will update this story if a response is received.
"There are plans for global markets, but we can’t comment on roll-out plans and timings yet," a spokesperson for Geely told Drive at the unveiling of the Radar RD6 ute for China in 2022.
Production of export-market RD6 electric utes for left-hand-drive countries – wearing Geely badges, rather than Radar or Riddara – commenced in July 2023.
At 5260mm long, 1900mm wide and 1865mm tall, on a 3120mm wheelbase, the Radar RD6 is a similar size to a Toyota HiLux, but rides on car-derived underpinnings with four-wheel independent suspension, rather than a heavy-duty ladder frame.
The tray measures 1525mm long, 1425mm wide and 540mm high, which is slightly smaller than the tubs of Australia's top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
The Riddara website lists a choice of 63kWh or 86kWh batteries for export markets – with claimed Chinese lab-tested driving ranges of 385km and 517km respectively – matched with the same 200kW/384Nm rear electric motor for 0-100km/h in a quoted 7.3 seconds.
A braked towing capacity of up to 2500kg is quoted, as well as a maximum payload of 755-775kg, approach and departure angles of 22 and 25 degrees respectively, and 220mm of ground clearance.
Available in China is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version with 315kW, good for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds, 3000kg braked towing capacity, and an 815mm wading depth.