REPORT: No, That Is NOT A Typo — The Next-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee WILL Feature Three-row Seating

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV plans to convert an idled engine plant in the city into an assembly plant as part of the automaker's plans to add a new three-row Jeep SUV to its lineup, The Detroit News has learned.

The Auburn Hills-based automaker plans to revive Mack Avenue Engine II, which has been idled since 2012, as an assembly plant building a new three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee for model year 2021, multiple sources familiar with the plans told The News. The move could add as many as 400 new auto jobs in the city...

...When Mack II starts production of the three-row Grand Cherokee, FCA would begin retooling Jefferson North Assembly Plant — directly across the street from the Mack Avenue Engine Complex — to make way for the next generation of the two- and three-row Grand Cherokee. A public announcement is tentatively scheduled for the end of next week...

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jeffgall - 12/7/2018 7:03:59 AM

0 Boost

The lack of a third row at the current Grand Cherokee price point has been keeping families away from the brand. To make this attractive in support of the occasional third row user, it would mean the next generation Grand Cherokee will need to grow in size. Part of me likes the current size, but to make a 3rd row model more expensive then the current GC would price them out of the market for the likes of the Explorer, Acadia, And Pilot.

MDarringer - 12/7/2018 8:12:56 AM

+1 Boost

So if this report is true, does this mean that the Wagoneer is not happening? Jeep's naming convention is screwed, but the ideal think would be for the 2 row model to be the Cherokee and the 3 row model to be the Grand Cherokee. The Fiat mess sold as the Cherokee could be given a different name so as to stop crapping on the iconic name.

cidflekken - 12/7/2018 11:14:26 AM

+5 Boost

I was just going to say, what happened to the Wagoneer??

Sales of the current Jeep have not been hurting w/o the 3-seat. Personally, I think they need to just continue to evolve the GC as a 2-row SUV. Its current size works especially for SRT and Trackhawk modes. If they grew the GC to accommodate a 3rd row, then you essentially have a Durango.

They need a larger, Tahoe/Escalade/Navigator-sized SUV, IMO. Wouldn't be a bad idea to also bring the Commander back (I really liked) in a much more refined, luxurious form to take on the Aviator, Q7, XC90.

Agent00R - 12/7/2018 2:29:26 PM

+2 Boost

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are on, supposedly.

Truthy - 12/7/2018 12:01:07 PM

+4 Boost

See, yesterday Tesla announced the model Y (or 'why') three row crossover and today Jeep announces a three row SUV. The industry is copying Tesla;)

malba2367 - 12/7/2018 1:05:04 PM

+2 Boost

Don’t you know that Elon Musk invented the 3 row SUV?

xjug1987a - 12/7/2018 9:56:20 PM

0 Boost

I love the current GC which is approaching 10 yrs on it platform but still sells very well. Its size IMO is perfect but it’s in need of a thorough refresh but a 3 row should be a new model. The Grand Wagoneer name still has iconic status and now is the time to get it out of mothballs.

MDarringer - 12/7/2018 10:19:47 PM

0 Boost

I fear that the next one will be based on the horrible garbage from Alfa Romeo. They would be better off doing a total reskin of the superior Mercedes platform.

Foncool - 12/8/2018 6:40:59 AM

+1 Boost

Do you mean the Mercedes W220 based platform which evolved into the LX platform vs the Giorgio platform currently consider one of the best platforms in the industry?

MDarringer - 12/8/2018 7:43:43 AM

+1 Boost

No, dumbass! The Jeep Grand Cherokee shared a platform with the Mercedes ML nee GLE.

t_bone - 12/8/2018 7:36:29 AM

+1 Boost

If Spirit and Frontier airlines can make it happen, why not more suvs? Check that box. #yeswecan

AutoAficionado - 12/8/2018 4:03:12 PM

+1 Boost

I hope they don't merge the two, what if they call the three row GC a GC wagoneer...