SAIC Maxus is set to introduce a new pick-up truck sub-brand called Interstellar on 3-July, according to reports from Chinese media. Following this release, Interstellar plans to introduce a mass production version of its GST concept pickup truck in 2024.

Earlier this year at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, SAIC Maxus unveiled the GST concept pick-up truck that is powered by semi-solid-state batteries, boasting a driving range of 1,000 km.

The GST concept pick-up truck also features four independent motors that generate a combined power output of 1,000 PS and supports 11kW V2L function to power electrical appliances.

Inside, there’s a large horizontal screen that sits nearly pillar-to-pillar and a yoke style steering wheel.

These design elements could make it into the production version of the truck, as discovered by the patent application filed to the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

The patent image revealed an interior with a large horizontal screen on the dashboard, resembling the GST concept pickup truck, which led to speculations of its relation to the Interstellar brand.

SAIC Maxus also registered a new pick-up truck named Interstellar on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT, think of it as China’s equivalent of JPJ, though MIIT publishes vehicle homologation data for soon-to-launched models) website.

The registration included images of three models: Interstellar L, Interstellar H, and Interstellar R.

Also read: As China eases ban on pick-up trucks, CKD 2023 Ford Ranger to introduce truck culture to Chinese drivers

In Malaysia, Maxus is represented by Weststar and its sole pick-up truck model is the Maxus T60, which retails at RM 115,888.

Also read: Review: Is it Malaysia's best truck ever? No, but the 2022 Maxus T60 stretches your RM 115k further than rivals do