Head of Jeep® Design, Mark Allen Sits Down With Autoline After Hours:

Every week, Autoline Detroit’s John McElroy and on Automotive’s Gary Vasilash, sit down for an hour and discuss the latest news in the automotive industry with another guest panelist and a special guest. This past week, the “Autoline After Hours” team had a chance to sit down with the Head of Jeep® Design, Mark Allen to discuss the Jeep brand’s newest vehicle lineup (including the Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer), this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari concepts, the Jeep brand’s intentions with electric offerings, as well as the design challenges with the all-new fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL).

The hour-long broadcast is a must-listen for those who are diehard Jeep fans. There are several in-depth conversations about each of the 2021 Moab Easter Jeep Safari concepts like the Wrangler Magneto, Jeepster Beach, Jeep Red Bare, Jeep Orange Peelz, Jeep Farout, Jeep Top Dog, and even the Wrangler Rubicon 392 which was meant for the 2020 event that was canceled.

There is even talk about what might be in the works for next year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari.

During the broadcast, Allen lets us in on several hints about the future Jeep lineup. The first is he is not a fan of the wood paneling on the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer (SJ) and that it won’t be an option on the new models due to the market the brand is looking at pushing the Wagoneer sub-brand. There was also the hint that a new exterior color called “Earl” from the Farout concept will indeed be making it to market (more than likely on the Gladiator and Wrangler).

He also hinted that the Jeep Product Design Office in Auburn Hills is one of the busiest automotive design studios in Detroit and is “packed to the gills” with work. With the introduction of the new Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer, the Jeep design team is hard at work on the next-generation Cherokee (KM), as well as mid-cycle action (MCA) on vehicles like the Wrangler and Gladiator for 2023, according to our sources.

There was even talk about why doesn’t the Jeep brand make a side-by-side utility vehicle. Obviously, that discussion was a nod about the Mahindra’s Roxor brand’s lawsuit with the Jeep brand.

For those who are on the go and can’t watch the full video, Autoline has posted the broadcast on iTunes, Podcast, and Stitcher.