Photo: Jeep
While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne continues to ask for industry consolidation, FCA now has what can be labeled as a delay plan. The company’s suppliers have recently opened up on the matter, explaining FCA has delayed at least a dozen mid-cycle revamps or all-new models over the past year.
We’ve discussed this, from the delayed models such as the Fiat 500 facelift, to the cars at the other end of the FCA scale, namely Ferraris, whose status means they remain unaffected by such issues and are actually on a development roll. Nevertheless, we are here to discuss the new Jeep Wrangler.
The iconic offroader should be introduced in July 2017 if the FCA suppliers’ claims turn out to be true, as Automotive News writes.
The company had released a set of plans one year ago, explaining the new Wrangler would enter production in early 2017. Nevertheless, the FCA CEO talked about the redesigned Wrangler last month, explaining a decision on the production location for the next generation hasn’t been taken yet. We’ll remind you Wrangler currently comes into the world in Toledo, Ohio.
Then there are the engineering challenges. The Wrangler was reported to turn to an aluminum body while it would ride on independent suspension. Nevertheless, Marchionne recently said the redesigned Wrangler won’t pursue serious aluminum construction. The reason? The CEO says the costs would outweigh the benefits.
Such an explanation obviously contradicts many other big names in the truck and SUV industry, from the Ford F-150 to the Range Rover.
The iconic offroader should be introduced in July 2017 if the FCA suppliers’ claims turn out to be true, as Automotive News writes.
The company had released a set of plans one year ago, explaining the new Wrangler would enter production in early 2017. Nevertheless, the FCA CEO talked about the redesigned Wrangler last month, explaining a decision on the production location for the next generation hasn’t been taken yet. We’ll remind you Wrangler currently comes into the world in Toledo, Ohio.
The challenges
Any new development requires a certain investment, but the Wrangler’s case is a special one. First of all, the status of the cars means every little detail has to be perfect. Let’s take the design, for instance. Sure, the Wrangler needs to look boxy and manly, but let’s keep in mind that Fiat Chrysler has one of the lowest average fuel economy ratings in the industry.Then there are the engineering challenges. The Wrangler was reported to turn to an aluminum body while it would ride on independent suspension. Nevertheless, Marchionne recently said the redesigned Wrangler won’t pursue serious aluminum construction. The reason? The CEO says the costs would outweigh the benefits.
Such an explanation obviously contradicts many other big names in the truck and SUV industry, from the Ford F-150 to the Range Rover.
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