The future of the Chrysler and Jeep brands are much clearer this week after Fiat Chrysler announced a five-year plan for each. Historically, five-year plans have led to famine and crimes against humanity, but by the sound of these, we expect they’ll bring a great deal of profitability to these two Detroit mainstays.
Photo: Autoblog
“The Chrysler brand is not luxury – it’s not premium,” said Chrysler CEO Al Gardner. “Chrysler is the mainstream American brand.” Big words from a brand that currently offers three cars, but he backed it up by announcing what comes next. Following the rollout of the 2015 Chrysler 200 this year, we should expect to see a concept for a refreshed 300 at the LA Auto Show. That will go into production the following year, which will clear the room for an all-new Chrysler 100 in 2016. The 100 will be able to compete with the likes of the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Chevy Cruze, among others, and Autoblog has already named it the most important vehicle in Chrysler’s five-year plan.
The 100 will, however, share the floor with a revamped Town & Country (while the Dodge Grand Caravan sees its line extinguished). The new minivan will be available as a plug-in hybrid model, which Chrysler expects to be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. Then in 2017, the 200 will be refreshed, and the following year we can expect some sort of crossover. Honestly, we’re surprised Chrysler hasn’t gone for a CUV sooner, given the trends, but maybe they’re trying to be mainstream without appearing to be a poseur.
Photo: Autoblog
On the more rugged side of Detroit, the Jeep plan starts with the Renegade, a model that we have only started to get to know. The fate woven for the Jeepster by the FCA already shows it getting refreshed in 2017. Other plans for Jeep include a Grand Wagoneer revival, an all-new Wrangler, a compact SUV smaller than the present Cherokee, and a refresh for the Grand Cherokee. It appears that there will be no future for the Patriot or the Compass, at least not after 2015.
So there you have it, a rare if selectively detailed glimpse of the future. What do you think of the five-year plans for Jeep and Chrysler? Both of these reports came from Autoblog, and you can find Chrysler’s here and Jeep’s here. Read them in full and then tell us what you think in the comments. Whatever the future has in store, Leith Chrysler Jeep will be excited to meet it head on.
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