As with everything else these days, the auto industry isn’t short of rumors. One of those sorts that was mildly interesting and not at all disturbing was Jeep considering a re-entry to the pickup truck market.
Well, a reasonable amount of time later we’ve found that a few voices from within Jeep are saying something which can’t really be classified as a Christmas present.
Word out there is that Jeep’s return to this segment is far from reality and may continue to be so for a reasonable amount of time.
In case you’re wondering as to why would Jeep make a decision, it’s simple, they didn’t make such a decision. The decision to drop the pickup truck idea was made for them, by the bosses at Chrysler.
In the interest of balance, if Jeep made a pickup truck it would pretty much compete with the Dodge Ram. It would be an interesting showdown for us to see but it would be ruinously expensive for Chrysler.
And given that they’ve been bailed out before and are in some serious debt, this sort of action probably will never happen.
There is still a chance for a Jeep pickup truck but it’s not really anywhere in the foreseeable future.
I don’t see this vehicle really hurting Ram sales, sure some chrysler loyalists might chose it instead of their next 1500 but the company would still be getting their money. What it would do is siphon off plenty of Tacoma and ranger sales. They should make this and drop the dakota if anything.
Maybe the American automotive industry would be in better shape if they listened to the public instead of telling people what they will or won’t buy. I’ve never seen so much positive feedback on a concept, that would share so many parts with current production, completely ignored. I would love one of these, then again I’d also like a 4cyl diesel in it, according to Chrysler focus groups I’m an anomaly. Better off introducing yet another crossover/ suv into the lineup.
The points in favor of probably outweigh those against, but this is a public view.
Business doesn’t always come out the same way at the other end.
I’m not completely familiar on the intrinsic nature of the American market but I can’t see the point in having the same brand produce different variations of the same body shape over and over again when each company could have one of each.
After all, VW has shown that even though it has many cars under its umbrella that are basically in the same size, engine and close pricing department they all sell well.