Say What? Marchionne Says Ram Studying Expedition/Suburban-sized SUV
During a call to discuss its third-quarter financial results, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne hinted that the automaker may launch a Ram-branded large SUV to compete with Ford’s Expedition and General Motors’ Suburban/Yukon XL.
The battleship segment is “the near-exclusive use of some others. We have a reasonable chance of getting at least part of that market,” Marchionne said, according to Automotive News.
Marchionne pointed toward Ram’s pending upgrade as a reason to suggest spreading its vehicle portfolio wider to pull closer in vehicle sales rankings to Ford and General Motors.
“I think we have a unique opportunity with renewal of the pickup line, with the powertrains we selected, to significantly increase output,” he said, according to Automotive News. “We will also be exploring, as a result of that investment, some other segments.”
What about the Jeep Grand Wagoneer? The three-row SUV that has been all-but confirmed for 2019? Would a Ram SUV cannibalize any of those sales?
Marchionne said the Grand Wagoneer would be more akin to a luxury SUV than a family team bus.
“I don’t think anybody who buys a large SUV is confusing it with a Range Rover,” he said.
A large SUV could also be a big driver of profits for the cash-strapped company. (Pun intended.) So, welcome back Ramcharger?
More by Aaron Cole
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Magnum + lift kit + Hellcat
Wow, gas is cheap for a few months and we get giant SUV's back.. /facepalm/
So is Marchionne still talking about killing the Durango? Because I still think that's a mistake. I believe that Grand Wagoner sales would be "IN ADDITION" to Durango sales, not "INSTEAD OF". Unless the replacement for the Dodge Journey is going to be more Highlander/Pilot/Traverse sized.
"I don’t think anybody who buys a large SUV is confusing it with a Range Rover" Like hell they aren't. Yukon Denali, LX570, Escalade, Land Cruiser, GL, G-Wagen - all of these are interchangeable to the vast buying public. Range Rover drivers don't confuse things with Range Rovers, because they chose that in particular and wouldn't settle for something else.