It’s the SUV that wants to be a ute – and it’s already tempting four-wheeled fashionista away from the radical Tesla Cybertruck.
The innovative Deepal E07 Multitruck – the local importer adopted the Multitruck bit for Australia – can transform from an SUV to a ute of sorts and early interest suggests it could have a Cybertruck-like pull on buyers.
Perhaps more importantly, it looks futuristic and imposing to the point where early adopters are keen to be one of the first to back one into the garage.
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“One of our first deposits cancelled his deposit on the Cybertruck,” said Cormac Cafolla, general manager of Deepal Australia.
The E07 represents the start of a model expansion for Deepal, one of the many brands owned by Chinese giant Changan.
Imported locally by Inchcape, the brand wants to spread its wings following a slow start for the S07 mid-sized SUV. The five-seater has only attracted 155 buyers in 2025.
The company has confirmed the S05 compact SUV will hit Aussie roads by the end of 2025.
That car will be a price leader for Deepal, undercutting the larger S07 that starts at $53,900 before on-road costs.
To be sourced from a new factory in Thailand, the S05 will compete with the likes of the BYD Atto 3, Geely EX5, Kia EV3 and MG S5.
Deepal Australia also has its hands in the air for the boxy G318 off-roader.
With hints of Mercedes-Benz G-wagen and Land Rover Defender, the G318 picks up a range extender hybrid system that endows it with EV-like driving manners but the ability to travel wherever you can buy petrol.
“It’s under study,” said Cafolla of the G318.
“With all of the Changan products we have to look at what’s right for Australia. Our focus now is delivering E07 and bringing S05 to market at the end of the year. We’re in conversation over what the next couple of years look like. All product, as far as we’re concerned, is under consideration.”
The same goes for the S09 large SUV, which like the G318 pairs a 1.5-litree four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors.
The S09 plans to make life hard for seven-seat SUV such as the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-90.
