AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Just as Ram is being leveraged as a separate brand from Dodge, now Chrysler hopes to follow a similar path with Wrangler, which will be expanded into a full range of Jeep vehicles as corporate parent Fiat aims to boost Jeep sales worldwide to 800,000-plus units a year by 2014.
Michael Manley, president and CEO of Jeep, said Fiat will provide new platforms for three new Jeeps that are slated to arrive in 2013, including a subcompact B-segment SUV, a compact C-segment model that will replace the current Compass and Patriot and a midsize D-segment replacement for the Liberty.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee will be heavily face-lifted next year, but will not be fully redesigned before 2014.
In the meantime, the Wrangler will get a significant overhaul in 2011, and new derivatives and special models will fill out the range. Manley said Wrangler will remain "the ultimate expression" of the Jeep brand, with "no compromises on capability."
Manley implied some future Jeep models won't display the brand's traditional ruggedness and off-road capability, saying, "Each Wrangler must have all aspects of Jeep DNA, but other (Jeep) products can be true to the brand without certain elements."
That, of course, was a huge part of the rationale behind the creation of the Jeep Compass and Patriot, a pair of compact crossovers that share their underpinnings with the Dodge Caliber and which have fallen far short of Chrysler's ambitious sales goals.
Inside Line says: Look for a hint of Jeep's future at the Detroit show in January. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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jdr323 says:
04:42 PM, 01/26/2011
Would love to see the Jeep Lower Forty in production.
comanche3 says:
09:11 AM, 04/10/2010
Is there any thoughts for the re-entry of the Jeep Comanche pick-up? It has been a good 4wd truck that is still wanted by many truck owners. These trucks in good condition being sold at $3000.-6000. to this day. I think it was a bad decision for Chrysler to discontinue this solid 4x4 four-wheeler. I have owned 3 so far and when I buy one I am already looking for the nexy one.
It is getting harder and harder to find one with less than 100,000 miles, but there still are some leftI have found one with 86k, 43k and 89k. Thank you!
ematus says:
10:39 AM, 01/04/2010
Jeep needs to look at Subaru, AWD on all models and remarkable growth. Imagine how they'd do with a really good 4WD? The 2WD market is saturated, remember the eagle? Jeep is defined by rugged 4WD tech. Now they need to mix in Green tech not keep diluting the brand and tech. like Detroit had always done, to their near demise. If Jeep can produce a car like like with performance and durability that rivals or exceeds the Subaru they will do well. If they can force their already developed Extended Range electric tech. into their line, inspite of Fiat's Marchionne's Fiat-centric US-ignorant move to cancel the EV division, they'll be in position to defend against Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota's headstart in Green tech.
Ever read, 'The Greatest Car In The World' science fiction short story about the greatest car designer's last car, which he gave to a Detroit auto executive, famous for bucking the Detroit corporate image. Written in the middle of the last century the story desribed many hybrid features, fuel injection, and many common place independent suspension features. As he was driving the car down the hill from the designers home, in Italy, he was already thinking about how to water down the design.
beermagazine says:
02:55 PM, 11/05/2009
The GC IS based of the MB GL chassis. It's not base off anything else.
Also the Wrangler is still one of the few American cars that are good. They retain their value and are a fun car. It's not for everybody, but that's why it's good. It didn't get water down for the masses.
ljs8510 says:
01:30 PM, 11/05/2009
In 2010 the 2011 Grand Cherokee will be introduced.
It is based on the Merc.
Jeep quality while still lacking has dramatically improved over the last few years.
icecubefosho says:
08:19 AM, 11/05/2009
Hrm... Maybe if they were reliable and durable. The Grand Cherokee is terrible in terms of reliability and for true offroading purposes, most of the Jeeps (besides the wrangler) aren't durable. Even the Wrangler has power issues. I don't understand why Jeep doesn't realize that QUALITY means something.
They're too busy trying to appeal to women and guys who think they're hardcore when they find out they got stuck in a sand trap or mudpit that a Subaru could've gone through. I'd rather a Touraeg 2 tdi instead of a Grand Cherokee for both offroad, and driving purposes.
efinils2 says:
03:56 PM, 11/04/2009
I was under the impression that the Jeep GC would be utilizing the Merc M class underpinnings, so did that get trashed? I believe the GC and Wrangler ARE what Jeep is all about, focusing on special editions would be more productive than selling some Jeep Panda thing.
yardman24 says:
03:09 PM, 11/04/2009
Jeep sucks.....just die
stlouiscarguy says:
02:36 PM, 11/04/2009
"The Jeep Grand Cherokee will be heavily face-lifted next year, but will not be fully redesigned before 2014"
This is entirely inaccurate.