In the pickup market, toughness matters. So does rugged, iconic, like-no-other styling...such as that of the Jeep Wrangler.
Well, then; what about a pickup truck based on the Jeep Wrangler?
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been considering it for some time—actually for many years, if you consider the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept. And now, based on recent reports, citing Jeep global chief Mike Manley and FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, it’s a go.
You’ll have to wait a while. No exact name has yet been announced for this 2019 Jeep Wrangler pickup—Scrambler would be the natual, of course, but a few more details, including the potential name of the model, are expected to be revealed later this month as part of a new product plan.
The Jeep Wrangler pickup will be built in Toledo, Ohio, alongside the next-generation version of the Jeep Wrangler.
It’s hard to imagine a more rugged take on a compact pickup, and it’s an idea that could go over well as a niche truck in overseas markets.
While most other SUVs are built on platforms that are shared across several models, the Wrangler is one-of-a-kind, and it’s built essentially on a standalone platform—one that’s become increasingly expensive to keep modern and updated to tightening safety and fuel economy requirements. So a wider range of Wrangler variants should help assure more return on investment.