"The Jeep Wrangler Pickup Truck is Finally Going to Happen"

by Larry
(Texas)

This article appeared in AutoGuide.com 9-1-15 posted by Stephen Elmer:

"According to Automotive News, production of the Wrangler will stay in Toledo, Ohio, which is also where Jeep will be building a new pickup truck based on the Wrangler. The fate of Wrangler production has been up in the air for nearly a year, but today Jeep execs revealed these plans to plant management. They also revealed that production of the Cherokee will be leaving Ohio for a nearby State, likely Michigan or Illinois.

Details on the Jeep Wrangler pickup truck are still unknown, besides the fact that it will be based on the next-generation Wrangler which will use some aluminum parts to cut weight while it will also likely adopt a diesel and or a small turbocharged gasoline motor to get good fuel economy ratings. It is likely that the truck will be a midsize to compete with the new Chevy Colorado along with the redesigned Toyota Tacoma.

A modern Jeep Wrangler pickup was teased back in 2005 with the Gladiator concept (seen above) though that truck was based off the larger Ram 1500 frame.

Having a new pickup to build in Toledo will help to negate the loss of the Cherokee, which is Jeep’s best-selling vehicle. Combined, FCA wants the redesigned 2018 Wrangler along with the pickup to move 350,000 units a year."

Source: Automotive News