Last fall, we heard rumblings that Jeep was finally taking a hard look at producing a Wrangler-based pickup .
2005 Jeep Gladiator concept
Enlarge Photo. Now we finally have word from the top brass that the Jeep truck is on its way to production reality. As first reported by, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that the Wrangler-based truck is coming.
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Speaking at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, Marchionne stated that the new truck will be built in Toledo, Ohio alongside the next-generation Jeep Wrangler. This all-new Wrangler is expected to arrive sometime towards the end of 2017, so we shouldn't expect the truck before then. We'd guess that you'll have to wait until 2018 for the Jeep with a bed to show up.
Regardless, this is great news as it's a vehicle that many have been pining for over the last few years. Jeep kept trotting out truck concepts like the one above, and the brand has a history of building great small trucks. In a world filled primarily with full-size and some medium-size pickups, a smaller Jeep pickup is a welcome entry.
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We're also still waiting on the return of the Grand Wagoneer. Jeep has said that it is bringing out a three-row full-size SUV that will most likely wear the Grand Wagoneer name. We don't expect a change of course there, as a vehicle larger than the Grand Cherokee should play well in the premium SUV segment. Plus, there's no way they'd ditch the Grand Wagoneer name, seeing as how much Jeep loves its own heritage. Rightly so, of course.
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