GMC boss Duncan Aldred effectively swept any chance of a Jeep Wrangler rival from GMC with his most recent comments. Following news that GMC is still intrigued by the possibility of a subcompact crossover SUV, Aldred said a Wrangler rival was off the table at GMC.
“I don’t think it’s worth trying to take on Wrangler,” he told Automotive News. “But I think there’s an opportunity somewhere in that space.”
Rumors have been floated for a couple of years now, which pegged GMC to be working on a body-on-frame SUV. Some believed this would be the Jeep Wrangler rival many have been hoping for. It remains unclear if plans for some sort of new body-on-frame SUV are still on the table at all, however. It’s also been rumored that GMC may take on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and there’s a vacant spot atop the brand’s lineup now that the 2017 GMC Acadia is a mid-size crossover.
With the Blazer name all but confirmed to be revived for a Chevrolet mid-size crossover—based on the Acadia’s C1 platform—General Motors may sit out the rugged SUV space for the foreseeable future.
Comments
GM should buy Jeep from FCA.
Sad!
One thinks of higher trim levels when they think of GMC, the last place you would want that is out on the Rubicon trail.
It would be a Chevy if anything from GM going up against the Wrangler!
Until GM figures out that OFF-ROAD means GROUND CLEARANCE, . Why waste the money trying to compete with the Ford, Dodge and Jeep’ Off-Road market, if they don’t understand TIRE SIZE MATTERS. These could really be a awesome looking off-road truck WITH larger fender well OPENINGS to clear LARGER TIRES. The engineers working on these obviously came from the car division. It is true people are not buying these to take to the woods, but they want to be able to, if they choose. This is coming from a die hard GM fan! But with GMs poor QUALITY lately and poor understanding of the meaning OFF-ROAD, This could change !
There has been a lot of arguments inside GM on this. It appears one side has one finally.
I agree GMC is not really targeting the off road people. Just look at the latest the ZR2 will not be offered in GMC form as they got a Denali and Chevy will not get a High Country Colorado.
GM really is working to make them more diverse as time goes on.
I expect GMC to get a vehicle that is more like a Renagade with more up level trim.
Part of the argument at GM on a Wrangler fighter is that it should be a Chevy. Could it be Chevy won this one?
Now as for GM buying Jeep that is a mixed bag. Yes Jeep is profitable as it is now and holds global name equity.
But who ever buys Jeep will have to pay a high price. Then once it is purchased they will need to remake most models as who wants leftover crappy Fiat re bodies and under powered Fiat engines. That will take more money to get them to where a new buyer will want them.
Yes you will make the money back but how long will it take?
Now GM could do their own product and do it for less than half the cost and no left over Fiat liabilities. It would take more marketing but a Wrangler fighter at Chevy and a Grand Cherokee fighter at GMC would make for a much cheaper and better investment.
Let’s face it the money spent buying Jeep would more than cover the whole GM programs and then some.
Easy fix, roll bars and removeable hardtop for the Zr2
or they could just bring hummer back
They haven’t got the nerve or the brains to get it right to begin with.