Holy Toledo: Jeep Wrangler–Based Pickup Is Happening!

[ccap41]

"Less than 24 hours after reports began to circulate that the long-rumored Jeep Wrangler–based pickup was seriously being considered for production, Automotive News has seemingly confirmed that the project is a go. The news, which comes tied to the announcement that Wrangler production will remain in Toledo, Ohio, was confirmed to AN by independent sources. According to the outlet, the vehicle is still under development and is slated to debut in either the 2017 or 2018 model year after the next-generation Wrangler. Car and Driver’s inquiries to various Jeep representatives for an official confirmation were met with a “no comment” response.

Although FCA isn’t expected to make any additional official announcements or comments until the current round of talks with the UAW conclude, Sergio Marchionne divulged a small part of the plan to AN: “We found a solution that accommodates a variety of other interests to us because of the way in which we can move some product around,” the CEO said. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist [to know] that the only way I can move around the Wrangler is to move it into the other Toledo plant.”

Currently, the Toledo plant is made up of two facilities, one of which produces the body-on-frame Wrangler and one that assembles the unibody Jeep Cherokee. By shifting Cherokee production to another facility (such as the Belvidere, Illinois, plant that makes the Dart), the second Toledo line could then be retooled to assemble body-on-frame vehicles and bring the next-gen Wrangler online without stopping assembly. If a single Wrangler line was forced to retool, that could cause the off-road ute’s scorching-hot sales to cool off ..."

 

http://blog.caranddriver.com/holy-toledo-jeep-wrangler-based-pickup-is-happening/

[smk4565]

This is a good idea, the Wrangler still sells well and has a following, and people like pickups.  And FCA doesn't have anything smaller than the Ram.  So it fills a void and expands upon a popular existing model.

[Stew]

Cannot wait for this!

[furioustee]

Can't wait to see it released!