Jeep News: FCA Dealers Worried About Grand Wagoneer Missing Its Opportunity

[William Maley]

Since 2014, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne proclaimed that Jeep needed a three-row luxury SUV to better compete with the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. But this SUV, known as the Grand Wagoneer hasn't materialized. Numerous delays and debates about the design has caused the launch to be pushed time and time again. These delays have a number of dealers concerned that Jeep may miss its opportunity with this new model.

"I think our window of opportunity is closing. We could have killed with [the Grand Wagoneer] if it had been available when they first told us about it, but it's a much tougher sell with interest rates and gas prices going up," said an unnamed FCA dealer to Automotive News.

John Murphy, research analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said last week at a meeting of the Automotive Press Association that the "Goldilocks" era in auto retailing was coming to a close. Murphy said the next five years would be tough on auto sales due to a number of factors, especially for those trying to sell high-end models.

• Higher interest rates
• Increasing gas prices
• Raw materials becoming more expensive
• Increasing competition in the light-truck sector

The current plan is to launch the Grand Wagoneer in 2019, but production could be pushed back till late in the year or even into 2020. This is due to FCA's plan to keep building the current Ram 1500 at their Warren Truck Plant until the end of year. But depending on demand, this could extend production into 2019, pushing back the time needed to retool the plant for the Grand Wagoneer.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[David]

Sergio the MORON has missed his profit window due to Alfa waste. Jeep should focus on their existing products now and get everything Plug-In Hybrid or EV.

[smk4565]

They should build a Wagoneer 7 seat SUV to compete with the Pilot/Traverse/Explorer, and a Grand Wagoneer to compete with the Escalade and Navigator and an Ultimate Wagoneer priced at $150,000 with Wrangler off road capability and Maserati level interior with a twin turbo V6, and offer a Ultimate Wagoneer Hellcat for $200,000 and an Ultimate Wagoneer Enzo with a Ferrari V12 for $350,000.

The demand is so high for SUVs all 3 will sell out.

[riviera74]

When it comes to any American car marque, Sergio DGAF.  FCA should ideally be broken up and out of Sergio's hands.

[daves87rs]

Too late now.....can't even see it at an auto show.....

[Suaviloquent]

A Jeep EV. A Jeeevp.

 

Or an EV-Jeep (eve-jeep)

 

 

 

 

[Robert Hall]

Since they have Trailhawk, Trackhawk and Sandhawk coming, maybe future Jeep EV versions will be badged as Electrohawk...

[David]

45 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Since they have Trailhawk, Trackhawk and Sandhawk coming, maybe future Jeep EV versions will be badged as Electrohawk...

Do not forget the most important one, Rockhawk! 

Then for those that like to do it mile high, Milehighhawk!  

[Robert Hall]

Speaking of Jeep naming, I saw on a Jeep FB page recently the 'Mall Rated' badges as a counterpoint to the 'Trail Rated' badges...

[David]

10 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Speaking of Jeep naming, I saw on a Jeep FB page recently the 'Mall Rated' badges as a counterpoint to the 'Trail Rated' badges...

Then they have to have a Soccer Mom rated badge!