DanW
Well-Known Member
That 58% number counts the 3.6 sourced in Mexico. If you have a 2.0, you would have significantly higher US parts content in your JL. Plus, look at all the supplier investment in and around Toledo. It was massive. To offset the parts sourced outside the US, the JL also is exported in larger numbers than the JK or any previous Wrangler or CJ.I (mostly) agree . . . however, a "Cautionary Tale," When One looks at Parts/Manufacturing %-ages over recent Years/Generations (JK/JL) I (speaking only for myself) find the #'s Concerning. For Instance, after a few Local Dealership inventory searches . . . i.e.; 2015-20
17 JK's Parts breakdown varied from 71 to 73% USA/Canada // the new JL comes in at a mere 58% with ~ 16 TO 18% MEXICO . That's quit a drop off ! So I'm wondering how much further will the WRANGLER Brand "heritage" be Diluted with a "French Twist" Tickling up the works ? I'm sure there will be those who feel that, "As long as the Quality Remains 'Up to Jeep Standards' it shouldn't matter!". BUT, a Long Standing JEEP Advertising Rallying Cry has been IT's JEEP HERITAGE . What will Jim Morrison be saying at The 2021 Detroit Auto Show ? Thinking he will say, " Well it IS called the Detroit INTERNATIONAL Auto Show . . . after all, right?" . . . / ? !
Also, in 2019, the Jeep Cherokee is the top vehicle sold in the US in terms of US parts content. If that is important, then guess what car company's products hold 9 of the top 15 spots, including numbers 2, 3, 4. GM? No. Ford? No. It is Honda.
For us flag wavers who are Ford fans, only the F150 made the top 15, and it was way back in 13th place.
Fiat has done a great deal to honor Jeep's heritage, including late CEO Sergio reversing a decision to move production of the JL to Canada and keeping it in Toledo. He invested billions after that reversal.
I don't have a crystal ball, so who knows, they might screw it up, but I'm not expecting the sky to fall this time around. I'm just saying that all the same logic out there about PSA is the same that stoked my fears of Fiat when they took over. Fiat surprised me and produced the best Jeep yet, in my humble opinion. Btw, they are buying lots of Jeeps in Italy and they love them. I saw lots of Renegades and JK's when I was there a year and a half ago. Lots of them. I saw far more Jeep advertising there than Fiat, too.
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