Could this mean a change to the popular brand? 05/16/2011
With each year, car companies try to develop something new in order to attract consumers with a better look. As more of us are looking for smaller vehicles in an effort to combat high gas prices, more auto companies are beginning to offer compact versions of their lineup in an effort to continue to drive sales.
One of the automakers working on their next lineup is Jeep. Motor Trend Magazine reports that the SUV manufacturer is planning a brand new subcompact SUV crossover to debut during the middle of 2013. Although the look will be different, the news provider reports that it will still have the same off-roading capabilities that have drawn customers in for years.
"It will be a true Jeep," the company's chief executive officer (CEO), Mike Manley, told the news provider. "It has to be, for us. There will be an all-wheel-drive version, and a Trail Rated version."
Although the company will offer the new vehicle in the U.S., executives said that their main focus will be in Europe, as the continent is known for favoring smaller cars to get around tight roads.
Auto Blog reports that some of the new car's main competition will be the Mini Cooper and the Audi A1. As Fiat currently has a major stake in Chrysler, Jeep is looking to use the international automaker's 1.6-liter and 1.3-liter JDTm diesel engines, which could suggest that this partnership is crucial to developing the new subcompact.
Despite executives promising that although it has a different look it will still be a typical Jeep, some of us are skeptical on whether or not a company that focuses mostly on SUVs will be able to pull off such a change. Stay tuned!