Filed under: SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge, Jeep
New Jeep Grand Cherokee coming in 2011, Durango and/or Aspen too
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is already past due for a full redesign and if Chrysler can hang in their long enough, a new one should debut in time for the 2011 model year. The privately-owned automaker has announced its intention to put $281 million in new tooling into the Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit that produces the Grand Cherokee and Commander. The perenially slow-selling Commander is expected to get the chop as the latest new Chrysler pares down its redundant model lineup. However, that doesn't mean that the Grand Cherokee, the sales of which once supported three production shifts at Jefferson, will be alone. One of the plants that Chrysler previously announced would be shuttered is the Newark Delaware facility that builds the Durango and Aspen. One or both (more likely one) of those models will likely end up using the same platform as the Grand Cherokee and be coming off the Detroit line. When production does start up, a Mercedes Benz diesel (as used today in the Jeep) and a two-mode hybrid (coming to the Durango/Aspen this fall) will likely both be available. The Jeep at least will probably be developed from the start in both right and left hand drive versions for export to other markets, as well.
[Source: The Car Connection]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MemphisNET 10:12AM (3/10/2008)
Not that I wouldn't want to see a unit-body Durango/Aspen, I'm just curious as to how it will size upwards from the size of the Grand... or would it downsize? And if it did come down, would it not just be more redundant products?
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Avinash machado 10:13AM (3/10/2008)
Just a few weeks back there was a story that Jeep might be sold to Indian company Mahindra. Now we hear that Chrysler's owners will invest $281 million in new tooling into the Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit that produces the Grand Cherokee and Commander. So does this mean that they will not be selling off the Jeep brand after all?
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jon 10:24AM (3/10/2008)
No one ever said they were selling! They were just talking to them.
I am not sure why it is said the Grand Cherokee is overdue for a refresh. The new model cam out in 2005 and was slightly refreshed in 2008. The last two generations of Grand Cherokee's have had a six year life span 1993-1998 & 1999-2004 & 2005-2010.
Tagg 10:22AM (3/10/2008)
Not really. Ford had invested into new models and green lighted a 12 year business plan just before they sold Jaguar and Land Rover to TATA. They can always work that investment into any deal to recoup the cash.
So Jeep is still not safe and it depends what they're investing the money in at Jefferson. If they are making the factory more flexible then Jeep really isn't safe.
FThorn 10:44AM (3/10/2008)
The beauty of private ownership is they don't have to tell you crap.
RW 10:20AM (3/10/2008)
good but it's really due...i wanna get a grand cherokee but there's just better and safer models out there that will serve my purpose
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Taylor 10:21AM (3/10/2008)
They wonder why their losing money. Kill the Aspen, and tone down the Durango. I'd love to see the new Ram's face on the SUV.
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FThorn 10:46AM (3/10/2008)
their losing money?
losing their money?
they are losing money?
They're losing money?
Vik 5:20PM (3/10/2008)
Taylor- I'll bet when you read that post, you knew what he meant when he misused the word "their". If you think you are teaching someone something with your posts, you are fooling yourself. Posts that offer nothing other than to act as "grammar police" are pointless and annoying, maybe even moreso than this post. ;)
Vik 5:21PM (3/10/2008)
Sorry my post above is addressed to "FThorn", not "Taylor". Now I'm officially more annoying than "FThorn".
Taylor 10:50PM (3/10/2008)
Thanks for that Vik, but you know, internet IS serious business...>_>;
300Kid 10:23AM (3/10/2008)
"The Jeep Grand Cherokee is already past due for a full redesign"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the current generation Grand Cherokee (WK) come out for the 2005 MY?? 2010 as a 2011 sounds right on time for a life cycle change-over.
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Tagg 10:23AM (3/10/2008)
I know its not the greatest (may be the worst) in terms of quality and reliability but the Grand Cherokee is a really good looking SUV.
I wonder if the Durango/Aspen will be a "normal" size when they come out? Right now the in between mid and full-size has not worked out very well. They're too big for anyone looking for a mid-size Explorer sized SUV and too small for someone looking at a Tahoe or Expedition.
You what would be great though, if the "I hate SUV's" chatter could be kept to a minimum! Thats great if you hate them but you've probably posted on every SUV post. There will be a market for SUV's for a long time.
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psarhjinian 10:29AM (3/10/2008)
Ok, so we plan to cancel the PT (which sells well and helps Chrysler make CAFE for it's truck fleet) and can the Magnum (which is still the coolest looking LX/LY car by a longshot) but we're planning to keep the _Aspen_?
Sorry. The Aspen was a dealer-driven "Me-too!" attempting (and failing miserably, I might add) to grab Escalade sales. I don't think I've seen one driven by anyone who isn't a Chrysler or dealer employee.
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dwightB 10:47AM (3/10/2008)
"already past due for a full redesign"
Excuse me?
It is only 3 years old!!!
Show me ANY mid-size SUV on the market with a life cycle that short...
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jamie 11:25AM (3/10/2008)
Don't believe everything you read.
Chryslerbus is definitely paring down and combining its dealership network in an effort to reduce operational redundancies. They are looking to produce only 15 models altogether in the entire Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge lineup. That equates to something along the line of:
1. Microcar like "smart" car
2. Subcompact car like "Toyota Yaris"
3. Compact car, DODGE NEON returns?? Yes!!!
4. Midsize car, DODGE AVENGER (major makeover and possible nameplate change required here to compete with "Toyota Camry")
5. Full size car, DODGE CHARGER. I do wish Cerberus would hang onto the Dodge Magnum. It's an eye-popper and that's what attracts customers to the showroom.
6. Small CUV, DODGE CALIBER
7. Midsize CUV, DODGE JOURNEY (may be renamed Dodge Durango)
8. Small SUV, JEEP LIBERTY
9. Midsize SUV, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
10. Minivan, DODGE CARAVAN
11. Full size van, DODGE SPRINTER
12. Small pickup, DODGE DAKOTA
13. Full size pickup, DODGE RAM
14. Sportscar like DODGE CHALLENGER. Dodge Viper may be scratched (boo-hoo! I hope not!)
15. Hybrid car like "Toyota Prius"
16. Luxury car, CHRYSLER 300. I would also like to see a slightly stretched version called the Chrysler Imperial, but that will probably never happen.
So as you can see, the field has been completely narrowed down and there is little room to maneuver.
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jamie 11:41AM (3/10/2008)
Oh, and if Chryslerbus decides to sell JEEP, Dodge would fill the SUV slots vacated by the Liberty and Grand Cherokee. One less brand to handle makes a lot of business sense, BUT not in the automotive business! That's what draws customers to the showroom in the first place. And JEEP is the iconic SUV brand recognized around the world. If they dump JEEP for a billion dollars or so, they would lose billions more in brand equity.
Reuben 12:31PM (3/10/2008)
You missed the wrangler, the day they kill that is the day that Jeep loses it's image and will stagnate.
jamie 1:58PM (3/15/2008)
Reuben
Yeah, you're absolutely right about that. I thought about that after the fact. Wrangler is a definite keeper, no doubt about it!
Brent 11:40AM (3/10/2008)
I would like to see a two-mode Hybrid with the 3.0 diesel.
@ psarhjinian
The PT does not still sell well, they dropped the ball by degrading the model instead of upgrading.
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