Photo: Jeep
We don’t know what it is about that iconic grille, but we would put the Jeep bars on every off-roader platform imaginable. Back in 2005, they put together a concept car called the Gladiator, combining the Wrangler platform with a pickup bed. Chrysler’s Mopar division even put together a kit called the JK8 Independence, which changed the Wrangler into a pickup, but it wasn’t enough, as people still want the real deal.
Obviously, if there was a huge market to be had in Jeep pickup, they would have built them already, but the company is still considering the idea. The all-American brand’s president Mike Manley told CarAdvice that a decision on Gladiator production will be made “pretty soon”.
He added that Jeep might be able to offer a pickup version of the Wrangler with the next generation, expected in 2015 or 2016.
“Even though you could say it is a different Wrangler to your mainstream one, you would have to be very, very careful that the pick-up is a true Wrangler. Because it is such an icon, it is so important for Jeep,” Manley said.
The Jeep president seems to favor a two-door pickup over a four-door one, as this is much better off-road, thus preserving the Wrangler identity and prestige.
He added that Jeep might be able to offer a pickup version of the Wrangler with the next generation, expected in 2015 or 2016.
“Even though you could say it is a different Wrangler to your mainstream one, you would have to be very, very careful that the pick-up is a true Wrangler. Because it is such an icon, it is so important for Jeep,” Manley said.
The Jeep president seems to favor a two-door pickup over a four-door one, as this is much better off-road, thus preserving the Wrangler identity and prestige.
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