The long-awaited pickup truck version of the Jeep Wrangler SUV is reportedly delayed. News of the delay is being reported by The Detroit News after speaking with Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley, who spoke to reporters in Texas recently at the launch of the 2017 Jeep Compass.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed a pickup would be built off the underpinnings of the Wrangler awhile back after rumors of such a truck have surfaced on and off for years. Originally, analysts expected production of the new Jeep pickup to begin in 2018, shortly after production of the all-new Wrangler SUV begins in the fourth quarter of this year.
Manley stated his primary goal at this point is to ensure that the Wrangler SUV starts off on the right foot, then he’ll worry about the pickup truck.
Given that FCA has never publicly committed to a timeline of the Jeep pickup, this is technically an unofficial product delay. Unfortunately, product delays are the thing of routine at FCA in recent years. In recent months FCA has allegedly delayed updates to the RAM as well as all-new versions of its LX cars.
FCA is in the process of executing on a $700 million investment into the company’s Toledo, Ohio assembly plant that will produce both the new Wrangler and its pickup truck brother. The changeover of the plant is slated to end later this year so that production can begin.
Details of the new Jeep pickup are still fairly vague. Manley did say he and FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne are considering bringing back a legacy nameplate for the new truck. The last pickup truck Jeep produced was the Comanche.
They need to get the Wrangler right then follow with the pickup version.