The Jeep brand is the only among the Chrysler sphere that has any real standing internationally. So it's not a surprise that the Fiat bosses will focused more than little attention to what has become an SUV brand.
Here's the plan for Jeep through 2014:
Extra-Small SUV: This entry which is expected for 2013 will be based on a Fiat Group product, almost certainly the Panda.
Small SUV: This space is currently cluttered with the less-than-dynamic duo, the Patriot and its uglier sibling, the Compass. Both will get some modifications for 2010, but by the end of 2012, both will have been killed in favor of one offering, based on a Fiat Group offering.
Mid-size SUV: The Liberty will be slightly refreshed for 2010 and will be replaced by a Fiat Group-based mid-sizer in 2013.
Wrangler: It appears that the Italians know enough to not mess with the heart of the Jeep brand, the Wrangler. It will get some updates for 2010 and will get more for 2011, when Jeep celebrates its 70th anniversary, but it will otherwise be left alone.
Commander: On the chart Chrysler/Fiat gave us, the timeline for the big-'n'-boxy Commander goes all dotted-line after 2010. Above the broken line is written "International Reallocation" whatever that means exactly.
Grand Cherokee: With the new model coming out around the middle of 2010, there's not much to change, nor much reason to apparently. Even the lux Grand Cherokee will get a Rubicon Trail-capable "Trail Rated" version.
bankerdanny says:
12:35 PM, 11/ 4/09
I'm surprised to see that the Liberty will switch to a Fiat based product. The Liberty, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee form the core of the Jeep brand and I would think that Fiat would want to preserve that. American designed and made is reasonably important in this demographic.
By all means dump the Commander, which I like but doesn't have much reason for being, and the Compass/Patriot. I have always liked the look of the Panda, so it will be interesting to see how it translates to America.
powell_jr says:
12:43 PM, 11/ 4/09
They need to maintain some ruggedness with the Liberty even though it's a chick car. I'm glad they are leaving the Wrangler alone but adding a diesel (really glad). I hope they remember that Jeep is a rugged AMERICAN brand and leave some of that heritage intact.
thegrocer says:
06:52 AM, 11/ 5/09
Keep in mind, the XJ Cherokee, which arguably kicked off the SUV craze in the US was unibody and small and lead the way...it took until '89 to get a credible competitor from Ford in the Explorer and I think '89 for Chevy to come out with a 4-door S-10 Blazer....while the compact XJ had been on sale since '78...so for the midsizer to borrow from Fiat could potentially be disastrous, Jeep could re-think the SUV in this era of crossovers into something with broar appeal like the original XJ Cherokee...