FCA's Boss, Manley, CONFIRMS That A 7-Seat Jeep Is On The Way And It Won't Be The Grand Cherokee Or Wagoneer

When it comes to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), there's no brand more important than Jeep. The sport-utility vehicle and truck maker really is carrying a heavy amount of the load for FCA.

In other words: It cannot fail.

Wisely, the brass have decided to expand the brand's lineup. Given how buyers are moving forward with SUVs and trucks, this is an obvious and wise move. With much speculation surrounding the Wagoneer and a potential three-row Grand Cherokee, Manley cleared up what's coming down the 'pike.

A seven-seater Jeep will join the Grand Cherokee in that respective class.

Sitting above that will be the all-new Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer.

That said, we've got to ask: Is this AWESOME or AWFUL? Would you rather have a seven-seater Grand Cherokee? Should it be a standalone model?

A new seven-seat Jeep SUV will sit above the Grand Cherokee and below the new Wagoneer

Jeep’s growth is set to continue at pace with FCA boss (and still Jeep head) Mike Manley confirming that a new seven-seat model will be launched as well as the often-rumoured, bigger, Wagoneer model.

“We’ve made some announcements for investments in our US plants, which are really important for us because that brings two additional products to our Jeep portfolio, segments that frankly I've wanted to be in for a long time,” said Manley. “One is the large SUV segment. There are relatively few competitors in there, but it could be a great segment for Jeep and we'll bring back the Grand Wagoneer at that time...

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mre30 - 3/13/2019 6:38:52 AM

+2 Boost

Get ready for a stretched 500X I guess?

jeffgall - 3/13/2019 7:25:24 AM

0 Boost

Where is the Gladiator?

MDarringer - 3/13/2019 8:25:07 AM

-2 Boost

It looks like Mike Wimpley is as adrift as Sergio Maricon was.

If we're talking Jeep, there are two glaring needs: The ancient Grand Cherokee needs to be replaced, but because the Alfa Romeo fixation continues, the new Grand Cherokee will be the old one reskinned. #NotIdeal.

The second issue is that the truly terrible Cherokee needs a full rethink and replacement. It is a class trailing design that is about to get pummeled in the market due to it not aging gracefully. Using the Grand Commander to become the new Cherokee would be a genius move.

So what's this about a 3-row above the Grand Cherokee? Is it going to be another dismal disaster like the horrible Jeep Commander of a decade ago? Is it going to be a Grand Cherokee "RXL" so that it is a 3-row in name only?

And what in hell is taking so long getting the Wagoneer to market?

FCA is strapped for cash and they do not have the resources to design the products they need.

dumpsty - 3/13/2019 4:40:28 PM

+2 Boost

I agree. A next-gen Grand Cherokee is way past overdue. Just seems like FCA doesn't really have a real answer to the Grand Cherokee/Durango. What's next? This is like asking Tim Apple what new flagship device is in the pipeline & he consistently doesn't really know.

The Commander was interesting though. It was an easy R&D exercise of re-visioning a different exterior on an existing platform. It was basically the square version of the Grand Cherokee. Minimal differences in dimensions - just enough to be a different model on the inside.

Remember that the Durango is a 7-seater huh. If Chrysler was healthy, all of this would've been hashed out by now. The larger corporation needing to focus on Fiat has been a real drag.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/13/2019 8:52:25 AM

+3 Boost

FCA is likely to do a Suburban sized SUV from what I read above. And then some 3 row "something" above the Grand Cherokee. To MD's point they have left this far too long and current models need a redo before new products come out.

dumpsty - 3/13/2019 4:07:48 PM

+4 Boost

Seems like FCA is truly afraid to make a Tahoe/Suburban-sized Jeep. Which is totally weird - the Ram 1500 has matched-up well with the competition.

It's all BS.

mini22 - 3/13/2019 11:57:03 AM

+3 Boost

Most of Jeep products are class trailing designs yet they keep selling. Unfortunately FCA policy tends to be reactive rather then proactive. Clear example is the slow move to electric and hybrid. FCA has been trailing its competitors in the area for a long time. Sergio said there was no money to be made in electric vehicles. But technology marches on, costs start to come down and FCA needs to be in the forefront of development. But then again it is still obvious that FCA wants to merge with another large company. This could be the real reason that they don't develop or update their existing products or replace with better ones.

malba2367 - 3/13/2019 6:07:02 PM

+2 Boost

Makes sense to make a 7 passenger Grand Cherokee Variant. The stretched GC platform already underpins the Durango so a Jeep version won't be too costly to develop. Also, it is a good option to have for people who want the seven seats but want a more compact vehicle than a full size body on frame SUV.