[MoparNorm]

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...

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]

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

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]

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.

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.

 

[MoparNorm]

Why replace something that still sells well!?

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.

 

[MoparNorm]

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.

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....

 

[MoparNorm]

Extending the Avenger - AND it's incentives and financing options - won't help Dart. Unless...they take advantage of the amortized lower costs of the Avenger, reduce it to a single model with few options, and move it DOWN in the lineup as the entry level offering.Yes, some would find it odd that the lower-priced offering from Dodge may be a bit bigger and may have a bit more power than the next-level up Dart. But it would also have fewer features and less techno-goodies.In a nutshell...Avenger SE replaces Dart SE, and Dart starts at SXT level. Unconventional? Sure. So what?Otherwise, I expect Dart to pick up where Avenger leaves off...when it leaves.

Hopefully they don't change a thing, Avenger is selling too well to play games, of course the same can be said for T&C... Maybe they read Allpar after all...

Anyway, it's a bit absurd to assume that Wrangler is being held up so they can make Fiat-based cars..

Fact is, if the rumor is true, then absurd is what we have. And yes, they blew their European pre-recession cash on building Fiat based platforms that haven't yet shown they sell in the US, while ignoring the proven profit centers, such as T&C and Wrangler..
What did the 500, Dart line and KL line cost to build???
Absurd indeed.

 

[MoparNorm]

I think it should be clarified that Avenger incentives are killing the Dart....

Two completely different vehicles.
The thing killing the Dart, is the Dart.
Too big for a compact, too small for a mid sized, it's capturing folks who want a bigger compact, or a smaller mid sized and that's revealed to be fewer buyers than anticipated.

 

[MoparNorm]

CVT2 versus the 4*TES/62TE would be my guess.Sans incentives and financing offers, yes - two different vehicles. WITH those offers in play, the cars are close enough in size to warrant consideration.I've heard and read it more than a few times - "we were looking at the Dart, but found that we could get an Avenger within 7/8s of what we really wanted at a much cheaper payment."

The cost is a big point, however the larger issues is that, for less money, you're getting a more useable car in the Avenger.
Larger, better engine selection, and acceptable comfort.