JK pickup coming in 2012??

[elcoyote]

Here is another article reference for the same announcement

http://www.fastlaneresearch.com/jeep_pickup_on_the_way.html

They really are not saying much

 

[Root Moose]

I've been thinking about this... Remember that Japanese TV show called "Banzai!"? "Place your bets!".

Here's my "official" prediction:

New Jeep pick-up based on the Ram or Dakota platform with a Nukiser style cab. The Gladiator concept that they are ensuring is front and centre in the marketing BS right now is noise, FUD, misdirection. They've learned their lesson from the new Grand Cherokee with respect to releasing detailed information too early in the marketing cycle.

Gladiator concept is very cool looking truck but it will not have the mass market appeal that a "normal" looking cab on a pick-up will have. FSJ style cab allows them to bling out the interior with "luxury" items without the package being incongruent at the same time. And it gets away from the H3T problem of being too "flash" for normal pick-up buyers..

Which platform? I say leave the Ram alone, use the Dak platform (i.e. discontinue the Dak) and move it to Jeep to differentiate the purpose of the two platforms while undoing a lot of cross segment canniblization. Yes, that means this new product would be IFS. I don't care personally, I can fix it when I get it home.

Sergio, you still haven't called me and I'm mildly miffed. That pot of coffee got too old and I heard a rumour that you weren't bringing the 500 Abarth to North America. Call me so we can fix this!

 

[Hawkz]

I would love a truck similar to the Nukiser, but it is too different from everything else to keep the cost down. My bet is it will be similar enough to the Wrangler to use a lot of the same parts. Dash, seats, engine, trans, ect...

I would absolutely buy a Nukiser tho. :sombrero:

 

[haven]

"New Jeep pick-up based on the Ram or Dakota platform with a Nukiser style cab."

There's a possibility this may come true. In the same meeting with dealers earlier this week, Chrysler execs said that they are considering building a smaller RAM pickup to replace the current midsize Dakota. The new "RAM Dakota" is expected to be built at Dodge's plant in Windsor, Ontario using a modified version of the Chrysler minivan platform. Chrysler's minivans are available with all wheel drive. This would be a RAM in name only, no Hemi, no body on frame construction. It sounds a lot like the Honda Ridgeline.

The alternative is to put a small pickup bed and short cab onto a Wrangler Unlimited, like the 2005 Gladiator concept vehicle. I think Jeep enthusiasts would be more likely to accept this vehicle as a true Jeep.

The Nukiser concept started with a J8, stretched the wheelbase, and added the bed from AEV's Brute kit vehicle. The Nukiser keeps the J8's 4 cylinder diesel. This version of the pickup would also be possible, particularly if Chrysler plans to add a longer wheelbase version of the J8 to regular production. There would have to be a lot of testing of this vehicle to pass USA safety and emissions standards before it could be sold in a Jeep dealership.

Of these three options, I think the second is most likely. It would give the manufacturer the ability to build the pickup on the same line as the current Wrangler, and would not require much investment in new sheet metal. And everyone would accept it as a real Jeep, not a poser like the Patriot or Compass.

 

[matthewp]

I'd be interested to see how this goes. I could see Jeep building a Wrangler-based pick-up due to the high "fan base" in the same way they did with the Liberty CRD (another marketing "excercise" that well exceeded corporate expectations). Even with new ownership, I don't see Jeep using an exisiting drivetrain and chassis off another brand. I feel Jeep has has been determined to stay true to the "Jeep heritage"... But there have been the Patriot and Compass, so we may never know until it happens.

If they do come out with the Wrangler-based pick-up, I'm trading the wife in!:Wow1::elkgrin:

I've been thinking about this... Remember that Japanese TV show called "Banzai!"? "Place your bets!".

Here's my "official" prediction:

New Jeep pick-up based on the Ram or Dakota platform with a Nukiser style cab. The Gladiator concept that they are ensuring is front and centre in the marketing BS right now is noise, FUD, misdirection. They've learned their lesson from the new Grand Cherokee with respect to releasing detailed information too early in the marketing cycle.

Gladiator concept is very cool looking truck but it will not have the mass market appeal that a "normal" looking cab on a pick-up will have. FSJ style cab allows them to bling out the interior with "luxury" items without the package being incongruent at the same time. And it gets away from the H3T problem of being too "flash" for normal pick-up buyers..

Which platform? I say leave the Ram alone, use the Dak platform (i.e. discontinue the Dak) and move it to Jeep to differentiate the purpose of the two platforms while undoing a lot of cross segment canniblization. Yes, that means this new product would be IFS. I don't care personally, I can fix it when I get it home.

Sergio, you still haven't called me and I'm mildly miffed. That pot of coffee got too old and I heard a rumour that you weren't bringing the 500 Abarth to North America. Call me so we can fix this!

 

[winkosmosis]

I've been thinking about this... Remember that Japanese TV show called "Banzai!"? "Place your bets!".

Here's my "official" prediction:

New Jeep pick-up based on the Ram or Dakota platform with a Nukiser style cab. The Gladiator concept that they are ensuring is front and centre in the marketing BS right now is noise, FUD, misdirection. They've learned their lesson from the new Grand Cherokee with respect to releasing detailed information too early in the marketing cycle.

Gladiator concept is very cool looking truck but it will not have the mass market appeal that a "normal" looking cab on a pick-up will have. FSJ style cab allows them to bling out the interior with "luxury" items without the package being incongruent at the same time. And it gets away from the H3T problem of being too "flash" for normal pick-up buyers..

Which platform? I say leave the Ram alone, use the Dak platform (i.e. discontinue the Dak) and move it to Jeep to differentiate the purpose of the two platforms while undoing a lot of cross segment canniblization. Yes, that means this new product would be IFS. I don't care personally, I can fix it when I get it home.

Sergio, you still haven't called me and I'm mildly miffed. That pot of coffee got too old and I heard a rumour that you weren't bringing the 500 Abarth to North America. Call me so we can fix this!

Here is why I'm sure you're wrong and it will be a JK pickup:
-The vehicle they showed dealers was a JK with a pickup bed
-Brand identity is important and automakers today KNOW that. The old generically styled FSJ with no Jeep styling cues whatsoever (or even a Jeep logo on the front) has no place today.
-While they could reskin a Ram like the Gladiator and not fall into the generic/boring FSJ trap, what would be the point? The Ram is already the work truck, so why does the "lifestyle" truck need to be capable of hauling horse trailers? The niche they're going to aim for is offroad/offroad image, because it's a JEEP!
-They already have the platform for a JK pickup, the JK Unlimited!
-With the Dakota getting axed there will be no small or medium pickup so it makes sense to make a small Jeep truck

 

[406to417]

I wonder if Jeep trademarking the name Mojave has anything to do with this.

 

[winkosmosis]

I wonder if Jeep trademarking the name Mojave has anything to do with this.

Hmmm... Wrangler Mojave? Jeep Mojave?

 

[SafariPacific]

A quick search at the U.S. trademark site shows Chrysler Group LLC has registered both "Jeep Mojave" and "Mojave" as "Motor vehicles, namely, passenger automobiles, their structural parts, trim and badges"

 

[mountainsoul]

A Rubicon Gladiator (or whatever it will finally be named) with an AT Habitat would make a great rig. Solves the whole issue of the roll bar getting in the way of standing room in the JK.

 

[AmericaOverland]

If I could get one of these here in the US I would buy tomorrow

Me, too, but make it about 3 feet longer to make a campers out of it. Oh wait, I have a Scout II...

:wings:

Stephanie