Chrysler to extend production of Avenger, Wrangler, Caravan

I wonder if any of the sources here know anything about this...

It seems like the redesigns will be radically different IF what is being mentioned is true.

I wonder what this means for the platform-mates (Town and Country and 200) of the two Dodge vehicles.

The article seems to only tell half a story.... (meaning the platform-mates). Are they going to continue making the current Avenger but a new 200? Seems illogical...

Paul J. Reed said:

The article seems to only tell half a story.... (meaning the platform-mates). Are they going to continue making the current Avenger but a new 200? Seems illogical...

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200 is being built upon a new platform, however that could mean the new platform is not at SHAP, it could also mean nothing as the platform is only a set of dimensions, NOT architecture or parts.
What concerns me is the Wrangler staying the same until 2018, that means continued production constraints and no pickup or diesel, or 8 speed.
If true it demonstrates more problems in the execution of the original plan, likely caused by cash flow issues stemming from both the financial mess in Europe and the delays from the incompetent judge deliberating the VEBA issue.

MoparNorm said:

200 is being built upon a new platform, however that could mean the new platform is not at SHAP, it could also mean nothing as the platform is only a set of dimensions, NOT architecture or parts.
What concerns me is the Wrangler staying the same until 2018, that means continued production constraints and no pickup or diesel, or 8 speed.
If true it demonstrates more problems in the execution of the original plan, likely caused by cash flow issues stemming from both the financial mess in Europe and the delays from the incompetent judge deliberating the VEBA issue.

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Why wouldn't they be able to add a diesel or 8-speed until then? They did so on the GC.

JKU12 said:

Why wouldn't they be able to add a diesel or 8-speed until then? They did so on the GC.

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The current Wrangler, because of packaging can't accept the diesel, Hemi and or 8 speed, economically.
They could do it EXPENSIVELY, so the original plan was to wait until the entire Wrangler was redesigned and do everything at once.
They can do it piecemeal, but that increases costs, increases issues and makes packaging the parts into the same sized vehicle more difficult than it would have been.
I'm starting to think that they have an acute shortage of qualified engineers that are ale to pull this all off in the time frame originally given us.

To directly answer your question, the WK redesign made provisions for a diesel, it was just the Merc model and was reworked to accept the VM diesel.
The Wrangler CAN accept the 2.8 VM, but it's underpowered for US customers and does not pass emissions in the US.

MoparNorm said:

200 is being built upon a new platform, however that could mean the new platform is not at SHAP, it could also mean nothing as the platform is only a set of dimensions, NOT architecture or parts.
What concerns me is the Wrangler staying the same until 2018, that means continued production constraints and no pickup or diesel, or 8 speed.
If true it demonstrates more problems in the execution of the original plan, likely caused by cash flow issues stemming from both the financial mess in Europe and the delays from the incompetent judge deliberating the VEBA issue.

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JKU12 said:

Why wouldn't they be able to add a diesel or 8-speed until then? They did so on the GC.

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It would be a very costly redesign, and from what I understand the current JK and JKU can't accommodate the extra length of the 8 speed. The 2.8L VM 4-cylinder diesel mounts in the Wrangler, the US 3.0L V6 does not. If they can't redesign the next models due to budget concerns (purely speculation of course), why would they have the money to redesign the existing platform to fit the new components?

Norm, on the bright side, we get two more years of solid axle Wranglers! :erikpot:
Wasn't the next 200 on the CUSW platform, like the Dart?

MoparNorm said:

The current Wrangler, because of packaging can't accept the diesel, Hemi and or 8 speed, economically.
They could do it EXPENSIVELY, so the original plan was to wait until the entire Wrangler was redesigned and do everything at once.
They can do it piecemeal, but that increases costs, increases issues and makes packaging the parts into the same sized vehicle more difficult than it would have been.
I'm starting to think that they have an acute shortage of qualified engineers that are ale to pull this all off in the time frame originally given us.

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Could it be that the Wranglers are selling like hotcakes, so squeeze every ounce of profit out of this model for a couple more years? Maybe combo of this and all the above.

So sounds like another product delay! New Wrangler now late 2018 come on!

JKU12 said:

Could it be that the Wranglers are selling like hotcakes, so squeeze every ounce of profit out of this model for a couple more years? Maybe combo of this and all the above.

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They ARE selling like hotcakes and they can't build enough, fast enough on the current line. It's costing them money on a sure thing while they pursue unproven products like Dart and KL.
They are losing potential income because they can't produce the models that people want to buy, fast enough.
All of this is happening because of a lack of understanding of their marketplace, their customers and their brands.
I just received a questionnaire about my new 2013 Wrangler purchase and it was comically juvenile and ignorant.
I had a great deal of joy, filling out the essay parts.

SHAP can build the current Avenger and new 200.

Look at Belvidere. They pull it off just fine!

It makes sense though. Why replace something that still sells well!?

marlon_jbt said:

Why replace something that still sells well!?

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In regards to Wrangler, it's not a replacement, it's a major refresh.
It allows them to sell 100,000 more units per year, that's why it makes sense.
If Jeep insists upon selling posers, then former XJ and WJ owners need another alternative and JKU appears to be the only game in Mopar Town.

Good point, Norm. But my post was in reference to the Avenger.

But to those who are not in the know...

in regards to Trim/Chassis/Final, all it has to do is fit on the line carriers. I'm not sure about Body and Paint.

marlon_jbt said:

Good point, Norm. But my post was in reference to the Avenger. But to those who are not in the know...in regards to Trim/Chassis/Final, all it has to do is fit on the line carriers. I'm not sure about Body and Paint.

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Wasn't sure IIRC, SHAP just received a new and awesome paint facility, likely with this as the outcome.
Often the press confuses platform with chassis, however Ram and Viper could share a line if the platform was flexible and the robots not easily confused.
Line speed would be an issue, but it could be done....

Journey and Fiat 500 share a line.

Anyway, it's a bit absurd to assume that Wrangler is being held up so they can make Fiat-based cars. Fact is it's a different group of engineers and unless they want to build a brand new factory, since Wranglers can apparently only be built in Toledo now (never mind the AMC Jeeps in Canada), it will take a long time to boost production.

I wonder about the 3-liter FPT diesel used in ProMaster.

2018 is indeed a long distance away, where did that date come from? It shows up in the four year plan as 2016, assuming that the three new American made, American designed Jeeps include Wrangler.

I think Ram and Viper sharing a line might be a bit of a stretch. Where's Bob when you need him?
Why do I say this?

Body on frame vs. unibody...

In automotive marketing terms, the Avenger old and uncompetitive and the major reason it's selling well has more to do with incentives and financing than anything else.

The Grand Caravan was due to be replaced by a new version in mid-2016, but that program has been canceled. That suggests that the Chrysler Town & Country will be the sole minivan produced by the company at its factory in Windsor.

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Actually, to me, that doesn't suggest that at all. It tells me that BOTH minivans will continue as-is. He doesn't mention what "program" is canceled - was it a GC refresh or the new model?

Worth noting that it was said SHAP's new paint facility can paint all CGLLC vehicles except for Ram pickups and Promaster.

Stratuscaster said:

In automotive marketing terms, the Avenger old and uncompetitive and the major reason it's selling well has more to do with incentives and financing than anything else.

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IMO, there's NOTHING wrong with that as long as it generates some profit!

Pull a GM and keep it around for fleets and/or lowball financing consumers.

Stratuscaster said:

Pull a GM and keep it around for fleets and/or lowball financing consumers.

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But, but, but.......according to many people, Avenger is killing the Dart!