Article published November 04, 2009
Changes coming to Chrysler's Jeep line, including Toledo-made Wrangler 'derivatives'
By LARRY VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC officials on Wednesday revealed broad changes coming to Toledo-made sport-utility vehicles and hinted at plans to "expand the derivatives" of its iconic Jeep Wrangler.
The automaker's executives also revealed that the Toledo-made Dodge Nitro SUV will continue production through at least 2011, and that a "refresh" of the troubled model for 2012 is still "under consideration," and that the Jeep Liberty will be "refreshed" in 2010.
Michael Manley, president and chief executive officer for the Jeep brand, said that the Toledo-born and made Wrangler will remain "the anchor" of the iconic brand, and that Wrangler offerings will be expanded from the current offerings and trim levels.
For core Jeep enthusiasts, Mr. Manley said, the vehicle will remain with its traditional underpinnings of solid-axles and body-on-frame, truck-type construction. But Wrangler offerings will be expanded and pushed globally to take advantage of the brand's worldwide recognition, Mr. Manley said.
"Wrangler will remain as the ultimate expression of the brand," he said. "Wrangler product reach will be expanded and extended. It will be more capable, more versatile than ever."
Jeep enthusiasts have long requested that the automaker make a Wrangler-based pickup truck, but to date, no such truck is available.
Chrysler executive also revealed that fuel-efficient "stop-start" technology will debut on a diesel-powered Jeep Wrangler that will be available in the United States in late 2010.
Jeep enthusiasts have long asked for a diesel-powered version of the Wrangler because diesel engines, in addition to providing greater increases in fuel economy, offer increased torque that aids off-road applications.
Paolo Ferrero, senior vice president for Chrysler Powertrain, said the automaker will aggressively downsize many of its engine offerings while increasing power and fuel economy through the use of turbocharging and Fiat SpA's "multi-air" technology.
Chrysler officials are detailing their five-year product plan in front of a large crowd. Dodge brand President Ralph Gilles used the Nitro to show how the automaker will offer greater features on existing models to weather the time until new products can be introduced in 2012 and beyond. By the end of the year, Chrysler officials plan to upgrade the interior and exterior appearance of the Nitro, making it less of an off-road twin of the Jeep Liberty, and more of a youthful, urbanized, on-road vehicle.
Previous Chrysler officials had indicated that the Nitro, whose sales are down more than 54 percent this year, might not survive past a planned 2012 redesign. The Nitro is manufactured on the same line as the Jeep Liberty SUV at Chrysler's Toledo North Assembly Plant.
Jeep's Mr. Manley indicated that the Jeep brand would alter its range of offerings to include more car-like vehicles, even as it maintains "trail-rated" versions of those new vehicles. Company information indicated that the Liberty would be redesigned for 2013 based on a vehicle architecture from Fiat.
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