Jeep Pickup edges closer to Oz

Jeep Australia has reiterated last April’s news that the all-new Wrangler-based ute – to be known simply as the Jeep Pickup – is indeed headed Down Under, confirming that only price and market positioning issues remain unresolved.

Speaking to motoroing.com.au at the local launch of the revised Grand Cherokee range in New Zealand this week, Jeep Australia’s new head of brand Guillaume Drelon said understanding how to best position the ‘lifestyle’ oriented Jeep ute was critical to its success here.

“In a market like Australia, where 20 per cent of [new vehicle] market sales are utes, there is a massive opportunity for us,” he said.

“We will have the Jeep Pickup in Australia, that’s confirmed. Now the exact way we position it, the exact way we price it, and the exact volume we are expecting is the next step.”

Indicating that Jeep’s first ute, based on the new-generation Wrangler due on sale early next year, was still at least 18 months away from local dealerships, Drelon said Australia was not the only market clambering to get it.

The new Jeep dual-cab is already in high demand globally, forcing a rethink of production capabilities since current Wrangler production is already at capacity.

“The Jeep brand isn’t a one trick pony,” said Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia president and CEO Steve Zanlunghi.

“There’s no one vehicle driving our sales and volumes. It’s pretty evenly spread-out, but with Wrangler, that number is actually capacity constrained. If we had more capacity, which we’re working on, you’d see that number up in the 90s [90,000 units per annum globally]”.

Jeep has invested more than $US1 billion in new manufacturing facilities in recent times, growing its three-plant American production base with the addition of nine others in a total of six countries.

And while the Jeep Pickup will certainly be built in the US, alongside two- and four-door wagon variants, it’s still unclear how the model will compare to existing Australian ute stalwarts like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

“I can tell you that we are looking really carefully into the Pickup, because it’s something we’ve wanted for a very long time. There’s not just one international market asking for that car, because the trend (globally), like Australia, is pretty strong,” continued Drelon.

“What we can do with the Pickup is bring a true lifestyle product (to the Australian market), and that’s what we plan to do with that car.

“That goes with the future Wrangler as much as any car we’re going to launch. We are looking carefully at the market conditions, and the market segment, to find the ‘sweet spot’ in which to position our car.

“We have value in our brand, as Jeep, that we have been consistent with since the beginning. The value for money is ingrained in the car. There is no reason the Pickup won’t follow the same path.”

Asked whether the Pickup’s commercial application will make it subject to a limited warranty, as with other brands, Drelon made it clear the brand’s first ute will be covered by the same five-year warranty as Jeep’s passenger-oriented SUVs.

“Our There and Back warranty, servicing and roadside assistance program is our brand truly backing itself, and this will be offered on the Pickup,” he confirmed.

The 2019 Jeep Pickup was spotted testing last month, revealing a clear relationship with the new Wrangler on which it’s based despite heavy camouflage.

The Pickup will feature LED headlights and a new-look seven-slot grille, and like the 2018 Wrangler is expected to bring updated infotainment and electronic safety systems including 360-degree cameras.

The model appears to boast generous tray dimensions and, in true Wrangler style, off-road ground clearance and geometry that should best current class competitors.

Engine choices are expected to include Chrysler’s Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 petrol and the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel familiar to the current Wrangler, plus the possibility of a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol offering upwards of 220kW.

As with the next Wrangler, the Pickup is also expected to come with Jeep’s ZF-sourced (built under licence) eight-speed automatic transmission, with the ancient five-speed auto finally given the heave-ho.