FCA’s money maker is Jeep. This is a fact…while Ram trucks sell and Dodge has been gaining ground with speed, Jeep is the cash cow. It is why Chrysler bought out AMC in the first place in 1987. And the sacred element within Jeep is the Wrangler. While it only just barely resembles the Willys MB and CJ-2A that started America’s love affair with all things Jeep, the lineage is direct and unbroken. We are sure that in the CEO’s operating manual somewhere, there are big bold words underscored a thousand times: “DON’T MESS WITH THE WRANGLER!” But lately, things seemed shaky as the Wrangler neared it’s next generational update. There was talk of an aluminum structure. Heretically, there was talk of moving Jeep production out of Toledo, Ohio, a move so wrong that politicians jumped in to influence FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne’s decision regarding the Wrangler.
And it seems that a decision has been made. According to Automotive News, the Wrangler will stay in Toledo and, for the moment at least, will not be moving to an aluminum structure. That alone would be news, but here’s where it gets interesting: production of the Cherokee is slated to be moved to a different plant (possibly the Belvedere plant) and that the line will be retooled for body-on-frame construction for a second vehicle line. And what will that entail? A Jeep pickup, more than likely based upon the upcoming Wrangler that should evoke memories of the 2005 Gladiator concept truck (pictured). The timing couldn’t be better. GM’s Canyon/Colorado twins have sparked a trend towards smaller trucks, and the response has been sharp, with Ford looking to bring the world-market Ranger to the U.S. market, Toyota finally refreshing the Tacoma, and Nissan finally doing something to the Frontier. A Jeep truck the size of the Colorado could be a knock out of the park, but they have to be cautious: too small and nobody will buy it, too big and it starts to cannibalize Ram sales. We should see some form of the Jeep pickup before the 2018 debut.
Its a great idea. I thought it was cool the minute I saw it. They need to build them as very base models too so they can be used for work as well.
I’m keeping an eye on this. Considering the Commanche-and CJ10-sized shoes this truck has to fill, this could be a really cool offering. Especially if they option it with a small diesel: the Taco might be on the back foot for a while.
As long as it has a Gladiator-inspired front end, I am A-OK with this.
a J-Truck front end would rule, but I’m crossing my fingers for something that closely resembles a CJ-10/10A: unusual, but still completely Jeep-ish.
http://www.4-the-love-of-jeeps.com/jeep-truck.html
Build it and they will come!
Looks good! Had a Comanche loved it. Only problem now is even more pavement princess jeeps with winches, lifts, and high lift jacks that the owners don’t know how to use will flood the streets like the four door ones
The above pics better not be it… The conversion for the 4 door looks better. and the Euro / Middle eastern military that is already produced is perfect.
It still will have fca engineering.They ruined Jeep !
The open Cherokee line will not be dedicated only to the possible pickup variant, this line will also produce the Wrangler as well. Toledo Jeep is barely keeping its nose above the water on Wrangler production as it stands.