NAIAS 2016: Jeep Boss Says He and Marchionne Want Jeep Pickup
The Detroit News ran a story today claiming that Michael Manley, head of the Jeep brand, confirmed a Jeep pickup will be produced. However, careful reading of the quote given by the brand’s top executive reveals nothing but a hedge.
“Sergio [Marchionne, FCA CEO] and I work very, very closely on the Jeep product portfolio, and both of us have been a fan of a potential Wrangler pickup”, stated Manley to The Detroit News. “For me, there is a historical place in our lineup for it.”
TTAC reached out to Jeep today, but was given no comment.
Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.
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Where is FCA's replacement for the Dakota? With the Colorado mid-sizer selling fairly well (MT Truck of the year) and Ford planning a Ranger replacement they ought to come up with one, rebadge the Fiat 700 or just build this Jeep (Scrambler) Pickup.
Land Rovers all new Defender pick up could be in the US within 4 years. I bet both Jeep and Land Rover see big sales in this.
The Wrangler is exempt from the roof crush standards because it's a convertible. It could be sold, legally, with no roll bar whatsoever. The MOPAR conversion keeps the roll bar over the front seats. The rear half is a bolt-on part, easily removable.
BTW, I really like the Jeepster Commando! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/1971_Jeepster_Commando_SC-1_pickup_orange_b-Cecil'10.jpg