Rumorpile: Grand Wagoneer Not Canceled, Just Put On Hold

Last week, we brought forth the rumor the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles canceled plans for the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The issue dealt with the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform could not be stretched out to accommodate the size of the vehicle.
Many of us here at Cheers & Gears along with some other outlets smelled something fishy with rumor. Wouldn't FCA think to consider whether or not the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform actually work for a larger model?

Automotive News has done some investigating into this rumor and has learned from supplier sources that the Grand Wagoneer has been put on hold. No reason was given by the sources as to why, but Automotive News has a theory and it comes down to money.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles doesn't have enough to work on this project. At the moment, the company is trying to relaunch the Alfa Romeo brand in the U.S., finish work on the redesigned Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500, and launch a Jeep Wrangler pickup. There is also the retooling of FCA's Sterling Heights, MI and Toledo, OH plants to get them ready to build more SUVs and pickups. 

FCA could build the Grand Wagoneer at their Jefferson North plant — home to the Grand Cherokee and Durango production. But the plant isn't setup to build a long-wheelbase model, which means more money has to be spent. Money that FCA doesn't have.

Like our story from last week, Automotive News floats the idea of the Grand Wagoneer possibly using the Ram 1500's platform

We'll end this piece with the last lines of Automotive News' story as it sums up the choice FCA has to make.

"If covering FCA for a decade has taught me anything, it is that the company has its own internal Occam’s razor: If there are two choices, and one is cheaper and easier, that’s the choice FCA will make.

Let’s see if that’s the case with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer."

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)