To Wagoneer or not to Wagoneer? That seems to be the question right now as one news outlet claims Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is scrapping those full size SUVs because of engineering concerns.
According to Autoline Daily and car industry planning company Auto Forecast Solutions, FCA now believes the Grand Cherokee platform cannot be properly re-engineered to support the larger full-size Grand Wagoneer.
However, FCA’s Dodge Durango – which is a seven-seat SUV – also shares this platform and that vehicle is a full 11.4 inches longer than the Grand Cherokee. Plus, Autoline also said in the report that FCA is mulling utilizing its Dodge 1500 truck body-on-frame platform for the Grand Wagoneer.
So the automaker definitely has options regarding the vehicle, and we’re not sure why they would scrap something so far into the production cycle.
Asked about the report, FCA said in a statement Wednesday that it does not comment on future product.
If the Autoline report is true, while not extraordinary unusual as things happen in the engineering process, the news is certainly a bit of a surprise as Jeep CEO Mike Manley indicated several times recently the vehicle was ‘moving forward’ for a 2019 release. In fact, during recent dealer meetings, FCA even displayed the Grand Wagoneer in a promotional piece.
Speaking at the 2016 Paris Motor Show back in October, Manley said he believed the vehicle could be a prime competitor to both the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne models – which would make Grand Wagoneer FCA’s most expensive vehicle to date.
“Pushing the car up to $130,000 to $140,000 may be possible, but we need to establish Grand Wagoneer in its own right first,” Manley said at the Paris show.
Time will tell, of course, but we feel pretty confident 2019 will see a launch of both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
Thoughts?
