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Jeep Pickup: Wrangler-based or Not?

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JAY

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By now we know that Jeep will build a pickup. What remains unknown is whether the Jeep pickup will be a Wrangler JL variant or be offered as a standalone model with a different badge.

New comments by Jeep design chief Mark Allen allude to Jeep's dilemma:

Next-gen Wrangler ready to rock but ute spin-off in flux

Jeepā€˜s all-important fourth-generation Wrangler has already been secretly shown to North American dealers at a top-secret conference in Las Vegas recently, but itā€™s the ute version thatā€™s piquing the interest of the brandā€™s Australian importer.

Especially so if Jeepā€™s first ute develops into a one-tonne light-commercial vehicle to rival the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux ā€“ which looks increasingly likely.

During an interview at the Jeep Renegade national launch in Far North Queensland, Jeepā€™s head of design Mark Allen said: ā€œYouā€™re not going to be terribly surprised by it [the new Wrangler].ā€

But the ute?

ā€œItā€™s [design] is less stable. Itā€™s not really a project yet. We hope it to be. Thereā€™s been planning on it,ā€ confirmed Allen.

He also revealed that development of the Wrangler utility ā€“ or pick-up truck in American parlance ā€“ is fluid, and wouldnā€™t confirm whether it would be based on the Wrangler SUV or another platform.

ā€œThatā€™s some of the homework weā€™re doing right now. How much desire is there, is it a pick-up truck or a Wrangler variant? Thatā€™s the line,ā€ said Allen.

That means the Jeep ute could be based on the new Wrangler or something like the just-released Fiat Toro, which is believed to be based on the new Jeep Renegadeā€˜s platform and will be a direct rival for Renaultā€™s compact Oroch dual-cab, or it could be a full-size one-tonner in the same vein as the Toyota HiLux.

The former two options would see the Jeep variant become a ā€˜lifestyleā€™ ute aimed at the US market, not unlike Hyundaiā€™s Santa Cruz, while the latter would make it a rival for mid-size US pick-ups like the Toyota Tacoma, but Allen wouldnā€™t be drawn on which was more likely.

ā€œItā€™s something we all desire and have for a long time. Iā€™ve never been shy about that. Itā€™s just not ready for prime time yet,ā€ he said.

Thereā€™s clearly momentum within the company to deploy a new ute and itā€™s something that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australiaā€™s CEO, Pat Dougherty, is keenly aware of.

Jeep has a number of engines to draw upon from within the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, so sourcing the powertrain wonā€™t be an issue. However, finding a factory within which to build it could be problematic.

ā€œWe sell every Wrangler we make, thereā€™s no extra room at the plant, so thereā€™s other issues beyond the vehicle itself. Thatā€™s all gotta be sorted out,ā€ Allen said of the Toledo plant in Ohio, USA.

If Jeep did deploy a Toyota HiLux rival in Australia, as Renault and Mercedes-Benz will do in the next few years, it would significantly boost sales and profit for the importer.

Dougherty pointed out that the Wrangler is ā€œthe icon of the Jeep brandā€ and that a Jeep ute ā€“ no matter what its foundation ā€“ would be high on the wish list.

ā€œWeā€™ve got a vehicle [Wrangler] thatā€™s unique, that has exceeded its global demand for a number of years and as we get to the ute, if thereā€™s an expansion in capacity it could result in something meaningful for us,ā€ said Dougherty.

http://www.motoring.com.au/jeep-plotting-hilux-rival-54595/
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RobNY

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Would be smart of them to make it Wrangler based, the most popular and capable of the Jeep models.

Wrangler is also the only body-on-frame Jeep platform, which a lot of pickup guys care about.
 

AWD

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Would be smart of them to make it Wrangler based, the most popular and capable of the Jeep models.

Wrangler is also the only body-on-frame Jeep platform, which a lot of pickup guys care about.
Body on frame counts for a lot in the truck world. Lots of guys don't even consider it a true truck if it's not BOF construction.
 

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The former two options would see the Jeep variant become a ā€˜lifestyleā€™ ute aimed at the US market, not unlike Hyundaiā€™s Santa Cruz, while the latter would make it a rival for mid-size US pick-ups like the Toyota Tacoma, but Allen wouldnā€™t be drawn on which was more likely.


Please Marchionne make it the Taco's direct competitor. We already have the 4 door Jeep for lifestyle consumers. I want to see a pickup that can back up its looks and live up to the Wrangler badge.
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