Significant is an understatement for the next generation Grand Cherokee for some obvious and some not so obvious reasons. First, the growth in size and seating configurations is a major change that better positions as well as improving the overall character and capacity of the GC to be more in line with competition in the near luxury class. One could actually argue this is a whole new GC in a whole new segment. Second, the new additional and reconfigured factories to build the GC is more than increased build capacity, it opens the door to new products spun off this architecture adopted from the Alfa Romeo platform. I predict the next generation Cherokee will be built off this platform in RWD configuration. Longer, wider and more capable off road, the next generation Cherokee will better mesh with tradition Jeep characteristics, offer shared drivetrain assets with GC and eliminate most of the drawbacks of the current Cherokee. It also creates for Cherokee a better space, a better definition if you may, in the Jeep portfolio for the Cherokee separating its current and less capable FWD character and size from the now overlapping FWD Compass and Renegade, a necessary move for all three vehicles, Additionally and less obvious, this allows the Cherokee to be built in the same assembly line as the GC and also points to a three row Chrysler SUV off the Cherokee platform. Even less obvious and my number three, this major new platform commitment also opens current Cherokee factory build capacity to new products for Dodge and Chrysler in the old factory, all utilizing this GC platform architecture for RWD vehicles for Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler. I'm predicting mid-size RWD/AWD sedans, hatchbacks and a possible performance coupe for Dodge and a convertible for Chrysler on this flexible assembly line. Let us not forget about the next generation Challenger, Charger and Chrysler 300, which quite logically will utilize a modified version of this platform, which is V-8, RWD and AWD capable. Can a large SUV for Chrysler be far off too?
Yes indeed, at first blush we see the new Grand Cherokee as a major development, but speculating and applying Mopar Willy thinking, we see far more just below the surface here. Oh the tea leaves ! It will be interesting to see how right or wrong Willy has gotten it, but it's just as much fun to dig deeper into a report so important.