1947 Jeep Wrangler on 2040-cars

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Fiat Chrysler CEO: No plans to sell brands to Chinese

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has no intention of breaking up the company or selling individual brands to China or other parties, the company's chief executive said on Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, adding that the group was counting on its coveted Jeep brand to drive future profits. "We're not going to break up anything," Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said at a news conference at the Detroit Auto Show. "We have no intention of breaking it up and giving anything to the Chinese." Marchionne said the Jeep sport utility vehicle brand could help FCA double its net profit. FCA's portfolio also includes luxury Maseratis, sporty Alfa Romeos and tiny Fiats. FCA's share price has jumped more than 30 percent this year on a bullish outlook for the auto sector, Jeep growth expectations and speculation that Marchionne's final year at the helm could prompt strategic deals such as spinoffs, technology alliances and disposals. The popularity of the Jeep brand, which is targeting sales of 2 million vehicles this year, has prompted talk it could be spun off from the group, as happened with tractor maker CNH Industrial and supercar group Ferrari, or sold off. Rumors have resurfaced that Guangzhou Automobile Group might be interested in snapping up part of FCA. Marchionne said on Monday that while GAC has partnered to deliver Jeeps to the Chinese market and FCA is talking to the Chinese automaker about helping it enter the U.S. market, "none of these things are designed to impact on the independence of FCA." FCA has often been the subject of merger speculation, especially after its unsuccessful 2015 attempt to tie up with larger U.S. rival General Motors. Its share price jumped to record highs in August after reports of interest from China's Great Wall Motor Co and South Korea's Hyundai. Marchionne said while both Jeep and truck brand Ram are strong enough to exist on their own, "we need to talk about ... what will be left behind." Marchionne said he has recommended to the company's board that the automaker spin off Magneti Marelli, a maker of components for lighting, engines, electronics, suspension and exhausts, to shareholders by the end of 2018. Marchionne confirmed FCA's targets for 2017 and for 2018, including a plan to erase all debt and generate up to 5 billion euros ($6.14 billion) in net cash.

NYIAS: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, ooh-rah!

I was very happy to see Jeep offer a stand-alone, off-road-oriented model to the Grand Cherokee for 2017, the Trailhawk. This is not the first time for a GC Trailhawk, as they offered a limited run a few years ago to see if there might be a market for such a model. Looks like there is, as there are Trailhawk models for the Cherokee and Renegade, and now the Grand Cherokee as well. Just to be clear here, Jeep has always offered off-road ready packages (tow hooks, one inch more ground clearance, skid plates) for the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee in the past. They were called "Up Country," or more recently, "Off Road" groups. That was all well and good but, at least where I was living, almost impossible to find. Rarely would you ever find one so-equipped on dealer lots. If you ever saw one on the street, most likely the owner special-ordered it. Having said that, now that I'm living by the beach, I am seeing a few Up Country-equipped older Jeeps; not many, but more than I've seen in the past. As to the new Cherokee and Renegade Trailhawks; I'm seeing a bunch of them. It took a little while for the public to discover this trim level, but now I see them everywhere. Must be the orange tow hooks? Speaking of orange tow hooks... I'm not a big fan of them. Tow hooks for sure, orange ones, not so much; same with the matte black hood decal, not a fan. If I were ever to get a Trailhawk, it would be either dark gray or black, as that effectively hides the hood decal. So Jeep has packaged the Trailhawk as a premium model within each respective model line. While I fully understand the thinking, I do wish Jeep would also offer an entry-level off-road model, one with all the Trailhawk off-road goodness, but minus all the visual and luxury fluff. A lot of off-roaders don't want to pay, or can't pay top dollar for stuff they don't want or need. As to a name, how about "Trail," that being Trailhawk minus the "hawk;" or perhaps "Pioneer?" That's an old name from Cherokees of yesteryear. Back then the Pioneer was positioned as a mid-low level model. I think either name would work well for a back-to-basics-off-road-focused Cherokee and/or Renegade. Content it like the current entry-level Sport or mid-level Latitude models, but include the Trailhawk's off-road prowess. The Grand Cherokee should probably pass on that suggestion, as it would run counter to that model's high-end image. Related Video: Image Credit: Jeep Jeep open road

FCA Recalls 400K Jeep Wranglers | Autoblog Mintue

FCA recalls 400K Jeep Wranglers for an airbag issue. In the U.S. the recall affects 2007-2010 models. Recalls Jeep Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video FCA