Fiat Chrysler considers pick-up double-up

Rather than making a choice between building a Jeep Wrangler ute and a metric one-tonne Toyota HiLux rival, Fiat Chrysler Group could adopt a dual pick-up strategy.

A Wrangler-based utility has been a favoured hobby horse of the iconic off-road brand’s global boss Mike Manley for around two years, but other divisions within the conglomerate are pushing for a work ute which would be cheaper to build and have superior carrying capacity.

Neither a Wrangler ute or a metric-tonne utility is currently green-lighted for production, but Mr Manley told motoring.com.au at the Detroit motor show this week that they are a good chance to be built.

“I would think there is space for both,” he said. “Definitely different target audiences based upon the use and value they are looking for in the vehicle.”

A metric-tonne HiLux rival could be developed by the group’s RAM Trucks or by Fiat Professional division, or in a combined effort.

“For sure, we have a very big commercial division,” Mr Manley said. “Not only do we have RAM here, which is expanding its portfolio massively, we also have Fiat Professional.

“Think about Fiat in Brazil. Pick-ups, especially metric-tonne pick-ups, are very important. So there are going to be people clearly that want a more traditional metric-tonne pick-up and I think their brands are probably more appropriate to carry it.”

A Wrangler-based pick-up would be more expensive to build because it would need to retain the Jeep brand’s traditional ‘trail rated’ go-anywhere ability.

Mr Manley said he maintains his commitment to the concept because he was “inundated” with queries about it from the public.

“What I would like to see is a pick-up that’s appropriate to the Jeep brand, because it would have to have a level of capability that you may not see in a metric-tonne utility,” he said.

However, with a B-segment SUV, unified C-segment replacement for both the Compass and Patriot and a seven-seater dubbed Grand Wagoneer already in the development pipeline, there is no chance for a Jeep ute to appear before the second half of this decade.

“We are now a long way through the development of those vehicles so the next thing that becomes important comes on to the table,” Mr Manley said.

He also revealed that a name had yet to be selected for the Patriot/Compass replacement because it is still two years away, but confirmed one of those existing badges would probably be retained.

Further, Mr Manley, said a name hadn’t been selected for the new D-segment replacement for the Cherokee/Liberty, codenamed ‘KL’, that will be revealed at the New York and Shanghai shows in April.

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