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Jeep’s long-term direction will be released on Thursday with the debut of two new SUVs: a concept edition of the resurrected Grand Wagoneer and an electric hybrid edition of the Wrangler flagship SUV.
Both cars are new opportunities for the American logo par excellence and its parent company, Fiat Chrysler, which has taken time to adopt electric cars and expand Jeep as a giant SUV. These are new segments for the automaker in order to increase its market percentage and profits.
The Grand Wagoneer concept is expected to be the long-term design and production version generation of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs, which are expected to be shown in the showrooms next year. Concept cars also outline a new design direction for the logo as a whole. .
“The most vital thing for Jeep is that it puts them in a segment they don’t compete in,” said Stephanie Brinley, senior automotive analyst at IHS Markit. “This is probably the most powerful resolution for them to increase sales and continue to expand the brand. It makes sense for Jeep to enter this space, and it will be a successful space. “
Vehicles are expected to compete in the customer and luxury segments of giant SUVs. Mike Manley, CEO of Fiat Chrysler, who ran the Jeep logo in 2016, said the high-end Grand Wagoneer could exceed $100,000.
It is not known whether the Grand Wagoneer, which was last produced in 1991, will be a separate style or a high-end edition of the Wagoneer, which was discontinued in 1983.
On Friday, a corporate spokesman refused to comment on the positioning of the long-awaited vehicles.
The Resurrection of the Grand Wagoneer, better known for its carpentry, was first shown through Manley’s previous predecessor, Sergio Marchionne, in 2011. Since then, the vehicle has been delayed several times due to adjustments to product plans and other issues.
Jeep has released teaser photographs of the Grand Wagoneer concept as videos of the Wrangler hybrid electric SUV on social media prior to its debut. Both cars will show up at nine a. m. September 3 on Jeep’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
The Wrangler will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV, which means it will have a classic internal combustion engine and electric propulsion system. This is the first of its kind for Jeep in the United States. The vehicle will play a “4xe” badge, a game about Jeep’s reputation as a 4×4 off-road brand.
The company said all of its Jeep models, historically known as energy-intensive SUVs, will offer full or partial electrification until 2022 and already has pluggable hybrid versions of its small Renegade and Compass SUVs in Europe.
“To opt for the PHEV area for them is to expand the electrification of the company,” Brinley said. “They are the other Array . . . [Fiat Chrysler] made the decision to let this market mature a little before embarking on it. “
The Wrangler 4xe is expected to be in the US showrooms. But it’s not the first time In December, for the company.
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