Changing to Larger Jeep Models Might be Too Late

It might be a good idea for FCA to look at Jeep and scrap the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer plans that are on the way with changes to the market.

Why do we see so many automakers clamoring to capture a part of the market when a shift takes place? The reason for this is because automakers understand how fickle and finite the market can be. The timeframe for capturing part of a new shift is small and once models establish themselves in the automotive world, it harder for others to break in and gain traction. 

Announcement Made, Delays Took Place

The late Sergio Marchionne, the former CEO of FCA, announced the arrival of the Grand Wagoneer to bring back a respected and admired name in the market in 2011. He next predicted we’d see the SUV arrive in 2013, which would have been amazing.

In fact, if the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer had been offered starting in 2013 the FCA group would have been profitable much sooner and wouldn’t have faced as much trouble for the past few years. Unfortunately, fitting this SUV into the production line, deciding what it needed to be, and a necessary investment in Alfa Romeo have caused the Wagoneer name to be delayed.

Even though it’s been delayed to this point, FCA still intends to bring the pair to the market around the 2021 model year. Right now, the challenge is the production line which can’t simply be squeezed into the mix and FCA has two lines running for the Ram 1500 that will eventually phase out the previous generation.

Once the Ram is down to one line, the Wagoneer pair will be able to take this space and begin to be made, but it might be just a little too late for these two to come to market.

Failure of the Wagoneer is not an Option

While it could be smart to scrap the project and take the losses, FCA has been in a fragile state financially for a long time. The Jeep brand is one of the few brands under the FCA umbrella that has been a heavy contributor to the profitability of the company, which means this brand lineup needs to continue to grow.

Because of this, the new Jeep models that will make their way to the market need to be a success. Thankfully, Jeep chose to use names we know to help make this possible.

There’s a better than average chance that the Wagoneer pair will be successful. As long as FCA doesn’t expect the Jeep Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer to sell at the same level as some of the smaller models, they will likely be a success.

We’re also going to see a new Jeep Grand Cherokee with three rows of seats for you to have more room for people to ride along which will also be a hit when it arrives. Hopefully, the Wagoneer names aren’t too late to the market, and with a name we know from many years ago, they might just make the impact needed; let’s hope so for the sake of FCA.