Blame Giulia For Jeep Grand Cherokee Redesign Delay

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

The next iteration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been delayed to 2018 or 2019 and, according to reports from The Detroit Bureau, it’s all Giulia’s fault.

Speaking with reporters at Chrysler’s Chelsea Proving Ground during the annual Chrysler Model Preview event, Jeep head honcho Mike Manley stated the brand’s top model won’t be seeing a new generation for the next three to four years, but that FCA’s merger rumor mill had nothing to do with the delay.

Reports from the other side of the pond may show the real reason for the delay: Alfa Romeo. Supposedly, the money needed to redesign the Grand Cherokee in the near term has been earmarked for the premium Italian marque which needs $5 billion over the next 10 years.

Manley also reiterated, “There will be only one vehicle” when it comes to the Jeep Compass and Patriot, though Jeep has not made a final decision on which will get the axe.

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • Skink Skink on Jun 29, 2015

    I am cheered by FCA's decision to delay reiñventing the Grand Cherokee. 1. As others have noted, the Liberties weren't Jeepy enough. 2. Nor is the new, squinty, aerodynamic, compound curvy car named Cherokee. 3. Nor is the new warpy, misshapen, clubfooted Renegade. Mark my words, it is a latter day PT Cruiser. Once the novelty wears off, people will discover it's a poorly packaged Beanie Baby. Sales will dive. Notice a trend here? Cute cars with Jeep labels? From at least a styling point of view, the next Jeep Grand Cherokee will be less Jeep, and more of a trendchaser. As one who is too cheap to buy a new GC, keeping the status quo fora couple more years beyond what we had expected means more of the current style GCs will be available longer.

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Jun 29, 2015

    FCA has already spent the funds to develop the Giulia. Now its just a matter of producing and marketing it and hoping it accomplishes what it is intended for. It is too late now. As for the GC it will probably become more like the Ford Explorer, a downsized model that will be based on a front wheel drive car platform. Possibly this Giulia could become the platform of the new GC which in this case the expenditure would be spread out over several models. With a couple of refreshes the GC could go to 2020, but it should be redesigned after that. Fiat-Chrysler should be building cash reserves up now and looking at trimming brands such as Dodge or Chrysler. Eventually FCA will be taken over by a competitor but they need to become a more attractive candidate for such.

  • Slance66 Slance66 on Jun 29, 2015

    Why does anyone care? It was updated in 2014. It is currently the best looking SUV in its class. It sells very well. What is the rush?

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Jun 30, 2015

    I realized after a minute what that particular JCG in that trim and color looks like to me. A raccoon.

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