1992 Jeep Cherokee Pa Insp Thru 1/15 on 2040-cars

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Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Deserthawk and plug-in models coming soon

BOLOCCO, Italy — Today at FCA's Italian proving ground, Mike Manley rolled out the roadmap for Jeep's next five years. Manley has been in charge of Jeep since 2009 and has helped boost sales to more than 1.5 million units globally thanks to the success of models like the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler and submodels like the Trailhawk and Trackhawk. Well, there's more on the way, including new sand-prepped Deserthawk models, the return of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer nameplates, and electrified versions of every model by 2021. While the plan for these next five years is a little less firm than the last one, it does provide the American automaker with some flexibility and breathing room. If you'll remember, by 2018 we were already supposed to have a new version of the Grand Cherokee as well as the premium Grand Wagoneer. Both of those are still coming, just not as soon as Jeep had hoped. Additionally, by 2022 Jeep plans to roll out two new three-row SUVs, new versions of the Renegade and Cherokee as well as the long-awaited Scrambler pickup. All in, Jeep plans to launch two models per year by 2022. That includes eight plug-in hybrids for the North American market. We saw one of the first Wrangler PHEVs at today's presentation. There are also plans to have a Level 3 autonomous vehicle on the market by 2021. Jeep will double down on its heritage, arguably one of the biggest things the brand has going for it. Its rugged image has helped boost sales in a market already clamoring for utility vehicles. By the end of 2018, FCA expects 1 in every 17 utility vehicles sold worldwide to wear a Jeep badge. The ratio should be even better for 2019. Related Video:

FCA goes all-in on Jeep and Ram brands on cheap gas bet

It's no surprise that as SUV and truck sales remain strong in the wake of unusually cheap gas, Jeep and Ram sales are taking off. What is a surprise is that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne thinks that cheap gas will be a "permanent condition," and feels strongly enough about it to change up North American manufacturing plans. Jeep appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the product realignment. In addition to increasing the sales estimates for the brand worldwide upwards to 2 million units a year by 2018, the brand will get a flood of investment for new product and powertrains. Consider the Wrangler Pickup to be part of the salvo, as well as the Grand Wagoneer three-row announced in 2014 as part of the original five-year plan. The Wrangler four-door will get at least two new powertrains, a diesel and mild hybrid version, in its next generation. That mild hybrid powertrain may utilize a 48-volt electrical system like the one that's being developed by Delphi and Bosch – which the suppliers think will be worth a 10 to 15 percent fuel economy gain at a minimum. Down the road, in the 2020s, the Wrangler could adopt a full hybrid system. The diesel powertrain is planned for 2019 or 2020. The Ram 1500 is also pegged to receive a mild hybrid system, again potentially based on 48-volt architecture, sometime after 2020. Lastly, Jeep and Ram will take over some of the production capacity of existing plants. The Sterling Heights, MI, plant that builds the Chrysler 200 will now build the Ram 1500; the Belvidere, IL, facility that produces the Dodge Dart will take over Cherokee output; the big Jeep facility in Toledo, OH, will be used for increased Wrangler demand. In 2015, according to FCA's numbers, car and van demand went down by 10 percent, but SUV demand went up 8 percent and truck demand 2 percent. Considering that these are high-margin vehicles, FCA can't ignore the math. FCA also won't build any new factories to supplement production to meet demand, but instead are reshuffling production priorities. Think of it this way: FCA is gambling on cheap gas being a permanent part of our lives, at least into the 2020s. By doubling down on SUVs and trucks, the company stands to win big, unless a spike in gas prices changes the landscape. FCA isn't talking about a Plan B, so they're all in. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Last Jeep Wrangler JK rolls off the line in Toledo

Say goodbye to the Jeep Wrangler JK. After more than 2.1 million models made since production began in 2006, a white 2018 Wrangler JK Rubicon Unlimited rolled off the line Friday at FCA's plant in Toledo, Ohio, as the last of its kind and as factory employees snapped photos. Fiat Chrysler is planning to retool the U.S. Toledo Supplier Park plant for an all-new Jeep pickup truck for launch in the first half of 2019. The final Wrangler JK will become one of the Jeep brand's show properties. "We take great pride in the role we have played in the history of this vehicle and the impact it has made in the Toledo community," Chuck Padden, the Toledo Assembly Complex manager, said in a statement. "We look forward to bringing that same commitment to the all-new Jeep truck." The JK has been on the road since 2007 and was built as part of a co-location concept with suppliers Kuka and Hyundai Mobis, which managed the manufacturing processes of the body and chassis, respectively. They'll also oversee those same responsibilties with the forthcoming Wrangler pickup, which is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter and hit showrooms in April 2019. We've been limited to spy shots of heavily camouflaged versions of that vehicle, which is tentatively called the Scrambler, though there were those ostensibly well-educated renderings from the Jeep Scrambler Forum a few weeks ago. FCA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne has said he expects the new pickup to sell around 100,000 units per year, and the Toledo plant has an annual capacity of about 300,000 units. Meanwhile, FCA is continuing production of the Wrangler through the new Wrangler JL, which is being built on the north side of the Toledo Assembly Complex as part of a $4.5 billion production realignment to boost the Jeep and Ram brands. The Wrangler JL gets a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It's also available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which generates 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, available only with an eight-speed automatic transmission, for an extra $3,000 (technically it's $1,000 for the four-cylinder engine and $2,000 extra for the eight-speed trans). A 3.0-liter diesel version is also due of the four-door version in 2019. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: FCA Jeep Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles FCA jeep wrangler jl