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Jeep CEO- new Wrangler "probably" not debuting until second half of 2017

Taimaishu

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I just came across this Detroit News article (dated Nov. 20) and thought you all might want to know. It looks like we could have more of a wait before they reveal the JL. At least production doesn't seem to be pushed back for both JL and JT.

Since Detroit is only a month away I would that means they will not be showing it there. Any guesses as to why if production is still on track?

Next-gen Wrangler

Following the rollout of the Compass and Trackhawk, Jeep will close the year with the introduction of the next-generation of the brand’s icon — the Wrangler.

Manley said the company is debating on when to unveil the SUV, which he said this summer was expected to be unveiled in the first half of the year. He said the Wrangler “probably” won’t debut until the second half of the year, but stressed there is no delay in launching the vehicle.

Manley said the vehicle “is looking fantastic.” He declined to provide specifics on the all-new SUV, which is expected to begin arriving in showrooms at the end of the year.

Ralph Gilles, Fiat Chrysler head of global design, separately told The News that the Wrangler is always a challenge to redesign, as the vehicle has such a cult following.

“The Wrangler is a critical pilot light of the brand,” Gilles said. “Because of how much we’ve invested in Jeep, the Wrangler can remain true to itself. We’re not trying to make the Wrangler be what it’s not meant to be.”

Manley said a Jeep pickup based off the next-generation Wrangler is still slated for mid-2018.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...eep-chief-lays-plan-keep-sales-roll/93999698/
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Biker Dan

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Good find. So that would rule out both Detroit and NY shows and also Easter Jeep Safari since they're all in the first half to the year. And the LA show is way late in the year.

An independent reveal by Jeep itself seems most likely then?
 

Vegas_Sirk

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So that would rule out both Detroit and NY shows and also Easter Jeep Safari since they're all in the first half to the year. And the LA show is way late in the year.
Seems like a missed opportunity from a marketing perspective IMO
 

JoKer

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Probably don't want to shoot themselves in the foot early since the JK is still being built and even after the JL debuts. Then they better release EVERYTHING at the reveal, the full specs, pricing etc.
 

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Man I was hoping to see it revealed sooner than later but at least production date isn't being pushed. Wonder if they'll do any official teasing of any kind leading up to the reveal. It's been quiet on the spied prototype front.
 

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http://www.wzzm13.com/mb/money/fiat...-show-for-reveals-picks-ces-instead/366072105

Well that confirms it won't be at Detroit and no way they reveal it at a consumer electronics show. NY or later it is then. Trying to be patient...
Makes no sense to me to pick CES over Detroit to make a car related press reveal. How many automotive press and auto enthusiasts visit CES compared to Detroit?

And why no chance to reveal the Wrangler at CES? Article suggests it could even be a vehicle.
 

E in DC

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I just came across this Detroit News article (dated Nov. 20) and thought you all might want to know. It looks like we could have more of a wait before they reveal the JL. At least production doesn't seem to be pushed back for both JL and JT.

Since Detroit is only a month away I would that means they will not be showing it there. Any guesses as to why if production is still on track?
Oh well, it's not like FCA could use the good press anytime soon. Clearly they're on a roll.

In all seriousness, if they don't have a 100%-spec mule to show off by the NY show, that seems to be a big issue for a vehicle they plan to mass produce and sell by Q4.
 

MrDinkMan

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Rockcrawler

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Makes no sense to me to pick CES over Detroit to make a car related press reveal. How many automotive press and auto enthusiasts visit CES compared to Detroit?

And why no chance to reveal the Wrangler at CES? Article suggests it could even be a vehicle.
That's just my own speculation. CES car reveals are very tech focused which the Wrangler has never been. It seems like a very unlikely venue for a JL reveal but who knows. Maybe as DinkMan said the hybrid tech or they want to show off the new power roof options? I'd still be very surprised.
 

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JoKer

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Chinster

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Makes no sense to me to pick CES over Detroit to make a car related press reveal. How many automotive press and auto enthusiasts visit CES compared to Detroit?
We're starting to see more car manufacturers debut new cars at CES for a reason - it's a much bigger media event than any auto show. There's tons more overall press coverage there from big mainstream media outlets and not just automotive media. So debuting a car there allows a car company to reach a bigger general audience and not just enthusiasts. And then they can also bring the cars to the traditional auto shows. This way they get to have their cake and eat it too.
 

CorpCow

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Read somewhere a rumor that we might see the JL hybrid at CES and the rest of the JL models at Detroit a few days later.

A mild hybrid JL is supposed to debut 2018-2019 -- Timeline: New Jeep Wrangler to include gasoline, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid
Here's an article saying the opposite -- to not expect the Wrangler at CES:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2016/12/09/Vegas-is-site-for-Fiat-Chrysler-launch.html

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will take the unusual step of skipping traditional media announcements at its hometown auto show in Detroit in favor of debuting a new vehicle at a major Las Vegas tech show a week earlier.

While the decision to stay on the sidelines at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall is raising some eyebrows, industry analysts say it’s not necessarily a bad idea for Fiat Chrysler to use the Consumer Electronics Show to demonstrate that it too is working to develop new technology in the mobility sector.

“FCA needs to show the world it is in the advanced technology game,” said Michelle Krebs, an analyst with AutoTrader. “CES is a good locale for such a debut. Fiat Chrysler has not ventured to CES before, while its competitors have.”

Though the Consumer Electronics Show remains a gadget-centered exhibition of new smart phones, televisions, in-home robotics, and other high-tech items, automakers have increasingly looked to the show as a place to introduce their own technological advances. Last year, for example, Mercedes-Benz debuted its wildly futuristic F 015 Luxury in Motion concept, while Chevrolet used the show as a launching pad for the production version of the 2017 Bolt EV.

It isn’t clear what Fiat Chrysler will be showing at the Las Vegas show on Jan. 3. But it is not believed to be the redesigned Jeep Wrangler, though officials have been tight-lipped about when, exactly, the public will get its first look at that vehicle. The new Wrangler is expected to debut in the first half of next year and go on sale in 2018. Like the current version, it will be built at Fiat Chrysler’s Toledo Assembly Complex.

Last month, Fiat Chrysler rolled out its new Jeep Compass and Alfa Romeo Stelvio sport-utility vehicles at the Los Angeles auto show. Typically, the three Detroit automakers hold news conference to reveal new or redesigned models at the Detroit show, one of the industry’s most important shows. The show had more than 700 vehicles on display last year, including 61 vehicle debuts.

A spokesman for Fiat Chrysler declined to comment on Thursday about its auto show plans. However, in an interview with the Detroit News, which first reported the automaker would not debut a vehicle in Detroit, spokesman Rick Deneau said the plans would make more sense in the coming weeks.

“Obviously, Detroit is the biggest show and very important to us. CES is also a big opportunity,” the company spokesman told the paper. “I think it will prove more obvious why specifically we are showing the vehicle first at CES once it’s revealed.”

The last time Fiat Chrysler didn’t show a new product at North American show was in 2010 during the depths of the recession. Next year’s show opens to the public on Jan. 14, but media preview events are scheduled on Jan. 9 and 10.

Show officials downplayed Fiat Chrysler’s decision on Thursday.

Rod Alberts, the executive director of the North American International Auto Show, said it occasionally happens that the timing of a launch doesn’t work out for certain carmakers.

Even though it isn’t hosting a news conference, the company will still have a major presence on the show floor. In recent years, the display for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, and Maserati has been one of the show’s largest. But the display next month will be much like what can be seen on car dealership lots.

Max Muncey, a spokesman for the show, said organizers don’t have a tally on the number of vehicles to be debuted, but they are expecting the figure to be close to last year. Among them are the worldwide debut of the new Lexus LS, Toyota Camry, and BMW 5-Series.

Mr. Alberts touted the technology and motoring to be on display. Show organizers announced this week that the press and industry preview events will include a 120,000-square-foot startup showcase dedicated to more than 120 firms working on autonomous driving, e-mobility, connected car technologies, and other mobility services.

Auto show officials said 90 percent of the companies to be featured in the AutoMobili-D display are working with global automakers or suppliers. The show claims to be the first auto show to have such an exhibit.
 

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They didn't actually say it wouldn't be the JL, just sounds like the author doesn't expect to be it for a lot of the same reasons already mentioned in this thread. They could still surprise everyone and this statement below also makes it known that they ARE going to reveal something at CES.

“Obviously, Detroit is the biggest show and very important to us. CES is also a big opportunity,” the company spokesman told the paper. “I think it will prove more obvious why specifically we are showing the vehicle first at CES once it’s revealed.”
 

JoKer

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Here's an article saying the opposite -- to not expect the Wrangler at CES:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2016/12/09/Vegas-is-site-for-Fiat-Chrysler-launch.html

It isn’t clear what Fiat Chrysler will be showing at the Las Vegas show on Jan. 3. But it is not believed to be the redesigned Jeep Wrangler, though officials have been tight-lipped about when, exactly, the public will get its first look at that vehicle. The new Wrangler is expected to debut in the first half of next year and go on sale in 2018. Like the current version, it will be built at Fiat Chrysler’s Toledo Assembly Complex.
This directly contradicts some of the info that everyone has been told or come to believe from inside sources. Just a few days ago they said probably second half of 2017 and all of the order info we have says it will go on sale in Fall/Winter 2017.
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