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Community Question: Should General Motors Make A Bid For The Jeep Brand?

Amid reports Chinese automakers have begun eying Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles for an entire buyout, China’s Great Wall Motor Company stepped forward and publicly confirmed its interest. However, it’s really just interested in what is arguably FCA’s greatest asset: the Jeep brand.

According to Fiat-Chrysler Authority, Great Wall aspires to be the world’s largest producer of SUVs and it has a deep interest in acquiring the Jeep brand. Although FCA has officially rebuked all claims that Great Wall has reached out to begin negotiations over a Jeep or the sale of FCA itself, it didn’t rule out the notion of selling the brand off.

That’s why we’re here to ask if General Motors should step up and make a bid for the iconic Jeep brand.

Jeep has a storied history in the United States, despite trading hands with a few owners over the 20th and 21st century. FCA, arguably, has done the most to help the brand thrive, though. Per analyst estimates, the Jeep brand alone may be worth more than FCA in its entirety at roughly $33 billion.

Looking at General Motors, the automaker lacks a true off-road identity, which many believe was lost with Hummer. Purchasing Jeep would gain GM access to an avid customer base, and as the crossover and SUV market continues to steal passenger car sales, it’s not necessarily a risky bet, but rather it seems like a smart investment. And as GM moves away from unprofitable markets such as Europe, North America and China continue to print money in SUV and crossover sales.

However, there are likely some roadblocks. Purchasing just one brand from FCA would likely come with many caveats. Foremost, Jeep isn’t operated on its own as it stands. It shares dealerships with other FCA brands and the plants where Jeeps are assembled also build additional FCA product. Some serious reshuffling would be needed to make it work.

Not to get political about this, but let’s not kid ourselves either: we have a feeling most Americans would feel better about a U.S. automaker holding onto a brand like Jeep rather than the Chinese carmaker.

So, what say you? Would GM be foolish to pass up FCA’s crown jewel? Or does it not make sense with GM’s current trajectory? Vote in our poll and talk to us in the comment section below.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. GM already had Jeep & got rid. Years ago GM had Hummer (& it was making a decent profit), it got canned along with Oldsmobile & Pontiac. Again HAD it been managed right GM could of turned Hummer into a decent Jeep rival & marketed it’s rough tough heritage & it’s wartime kudos. Hummer merchandise – caps, belts etc etc could of been another lucrative business also, but Hummer was binned along with it’s potential because at the time it was not PC.

    Reply
    1. It’s could have, man. Don’t write out any professional emails or anything with “could of” – you’ll never see another promotion.

      Reply
      1. Alternatively, it’s ‘could’ve’. Use contractions and apostrophes often to confuse and befuddle others.

        Reply
    2. It should also be noted that Hummer (H2 and H3) were basically glorified pick-up trucks and really nothing special. Just an image vehicle which are really laughable today when you see one with 24+” wheels and tons of chrome. Usually driven by a skinny Hispanic or a delusional Italian. Lol

      On the other hand, Jeep has a solid reputation off road.

      Reply
      1. Bob, that’s what I was referring to regards future vision, yes the H1, H2 & H3 were not the best due to H1 being designed for war not public sale & H2 & H3 being based on GMC / Chevy SUVs. Given time & the right product/s a niche & moneymaker could of come of this & Hummer could of been GM’s Jeep or Land Rover rival division.

        Reply
        1. The H1 was sold and built by AM General and had nothing to do with GM.

          Yes with good product, Hummer could have worked especially in today’s SUV obsessed market.

          Reply
          1. GM acquired AM General & then rebranded them Hummer changed from HumVee.

            Reply
            1. 100% FALSE!
              AM General, which remains an independent company and government and military contractor, sold the rights to the Hummer brand to General Motors in 1999. It continued production of the original civilian Hummer (dubbed by GM as the H1) until June 2006 when it ceased production.[9]
              AM General built a separate factory to build a new Hummer H2, designed by and marketed by General Motors. The vehicle went on the market in 2002, and was produced under contract to GM until January 2009. AM General did not build the Hummer H3, and the firm is not part of General Motors Corporation.

              Reply
            2. **You guys should really stop making ***t up. It’s obviously in fashion right now in the US but there is such thing as facts.

              Try Wikipedia dot org

              Reply
    3. @V8 Jon re “GM already had Jeep & got rid. ” — Could you please fill that in with a few basic facts?

      Reply
      1. In found some information in the en.Wikipedia.org article on “Jeep”, which contradicts V8 Jon’s claim that “GM already had Jeep”. I allow myself to quote the first two paragraphs of section:


        The Jeep brand

        The brand has gone through many owners, starting with Willys, which produced the first Civilian Jeep (CJ) in 1945. As the only company that continually produced Jeep vehicles after the war, in June 1950 Willys-Overland was granted the privilege of owning the name “Jeep” as a registered trademark.[16] Willys was sold to Kaiser Motors in 1953, which became Kaiser-Jeep in 1963. American Motors Corporation (AMC) purchased Kaiser’s money-losing Jeep operations in 1970. The utility vehicles complemented AMC’s passenger car business by sharing components, achieving volume efficiencies, as well as capitalizing on Jeep’s international and government markets.

        The French automaker Renault began investing in AMC in 1979. However, by 1987, the automobile markets had changed and even Renault itself was experiencing financial troubles. At the same time, Chrysler Corporation wanted to capture the Jeep brand, as well as other assets of AMC. Chrysler bought out AMC in 1987, shortly after the Jeep CJ-7 was replaced with the AMC-designed Jeep Wrangler or YJ. Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998 to form DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler eventually sold most of their interest in Chrysler to a private equity company in 2007. Chrysler and the Jeep division operated under Chrysler Group LLC, until December 15, 2014, when the name was changed to FCA US LLC.

        No General Motors in there. GM is only mentioned further down in that section, in this sentence:


        The General Motors Hummer and Chrysler Jeep have been waging battle in U.S. courts over the right to use seven slots in their respective radiator grilles. Chrysler Jeep claims it has the exclusive rights to use the seven vertical slits since it is the sole remaining assignee of the various companies since Willys gave their postwar jeeps seven slots instead of Ford’s nine-slot design for the Jeep.”

        Reply
        1. GM won the legal battle with Chrysler/Jeep over the grill design!

          Reply
  2. I don’t think FCA would ever cut loose the Jeep brand.

    Maybe some form of a merger?

    FCA could spin out Jeep with an IPO, while still owning a majority interest. That’s how they can determine the true value of the Jeep brand.

    Reply
  3. No!
    GMC is here! And I would love to see it go after Jeep and Land Rover.

    Reply
    1. That what I would like to see. Even if they just go after Jeep and let Cadillac go after the high end Range Rover would be fine with me.

      Reply
  4. Everybody wants Jeep. There’s nothing left at FCA is you break out Jeep and they won’t sell it on it’s own. This is just journalistic nonsense.

    What if a Chinese brand says that they would like to bid on Cadillac tomorrow? Is that news?

    Reply
    1. Everybody wants Jeep for the reasons I have already mentioned, hence why Hummer managed right would of put it alongside Jeep & Land Rover in the few brands with unique pedigree, yet with massive appeal.

      Reply
  5. For no reason other then to keep it an American company, why not. From a business standpoint it is profitable,
    Opel out Jeep in! But GM look’s to be getting serious with off road worthiness so maybe not.

    Jeep purists would hate the idea (in the beginning) but it’s better then seeing it go the other way.

    Reply
    1. FCA and Jeep ARE NOT AMERICAN AND HAVEN’T BEEN SINCE THE 90’S!!!!!

      Reply
      1. Are you referring to the Diamelrizing? What is your ideal scenario?

        Reply
        1. MB took over Chrysler and later dumped it. What are you asking?

          Reply
          1. Fate of Jeep? and Daimler-Benz acquired Chrysler, different co. then MB!

            Reply
            1. Jeep is an extremely valuable brand which is recognized around the world. FCA is for sale and has been for over 2 years now. It would not be a good business decision to break off Jeep and Sergio Marchionne has no intention of doing so. I still think FCA will be sold as a whole.

              VW was a candidate before the emission scandal. Now we are left with Hyundai/Kia or the Chinese.

              Reply
          2. Yeah, thanks former GM’er Bob Eaton for that one! Lee Iacocca stated bringing Eaton in from GM was the biggest mistake of his career and that he should have put Bob Lutz into that position. Lutz would have told Daimler to pound sand. For those around back then Chrysler was in a strong place in 1998 when that happened and was sitting on a ton of cash. Daimler just drained them dry and left the bones. Having spent time at GM then Chrysler as a contract employee and now back at GM I have see how that all played out.

            Reply
  6. Didn’t Mary Barra already rejected Sergio Marchionne’s overtures in acquiring Fiat-Chrysler and then merging with GM?

    Reply
    1. A lot has changed since then, Open and Vauxhall are now gone. And Sergio may be more desperate to make a deal.

      Reply
  7. This is a mixed bag.

    GM would be buying a iconic brand which is good. But it would take a lot of investment to maintain it.

    GM would not want to continue the Fiat based products or FCA engines.

    This would mean they would need to invest in both.

    That or just keep the Wrangler and sell it though GMC.

    But for the price they need to build more than that.

    Or GM could just build their own Wrangler like model as a GMC and not be boxed in by styling.

    Let’s face it the Wrangler is like the Mini and you can’t change it much or improve some areas limited due to styling.

    Reply
    1. Reply
      1. Styling is why Jeep sells so well.

        Reply
        1. Styling helps sell it but it also limits it too.

          It is a blessing and curse all at once.

          They have done well to evolve it but one has to wonder wher it would be if it was given a more open chance to grow.

          Reply
  8. I’m not sure . I can see both sides of the equation , but if GM got busy it could build a direct competitor to Jeep .
    In the old days if a company thought that a sale of a product from another firm would hurt its bottom line they would buy it and keep it out of their competitors hands or just kill off the brand that was seen as a rival .
    Buying it to keep it out of the hands of the Chinese would be great , but GM would have to sink alot of money into the brand to make it a more quality SUV ( the Grand Cherokee for ex. ) .
    Tough call ……………

    Reply
  9. One reason Jeep has done so well is that GM and Ford quit the mid-sized 4wd segment and left the field open to FCA. Bringing back Trailblazer/Envoy type vehicles would fill that gap (Ford’s pending reintroduction of the Bronco is intended to cash in on this segment). Jeep wouldn’t be worth as much as it is if it had been faced with American branded competition and FCA might not even be around anymore if GM and Ford had been in the game.

    Reply
  10. I would love for Jeep to become American again but I feel GM is not the right partner.Perhaps Ford but they Cant afford it. Would love to see a group of independents purchase and produce them just to save the iconic brand. WE are becoming second tier auto producers in our own country and losing ground every year.

    Reply
  11. Now that GM is rid of Opel and other offshore assets it might make more sense for GM to acquire FCA and their assets and make use of them. Jeep of course is the crown jewel but they have other product that sells well and have a good offshore marketing and sales network. Another thing is FCA has put TONS of money into refurbishing their assembly and manufacturing plants and GM could add significant US based capacity should NAFTA be restructured to make manufacturing in Mexico or elsewhere not advantageous for sale in the US.

    Reply
    1. With the move to electrification and automation, all companies have too much production capacity already. And electric car production will mainly come from China. Think Apple, where 100% of products come from China. Ford is moving the Focus production to China and are sourcing more parts from there just like all the others.

      Reply
    2. I would be ok with GM taking over FCA for nothing. They already paid the 2 Billion to not have to buy them. This time around it should be free.

      Reply
      1. The Italian company who owns and controls FCA may not agree to this… Lol

        Reply
    3. GM to acquire FCA?

      The reverse is has more probability in my humble view.

      BTW, Alfa Romeo, the other global brand of FCA, has just been re-introduced to North America, offering the Stelvio and Giulia (the greater sister of Giulietta).

      Alfa Romeo has been assigned the role of global premium performance brand — it makes me think of BMW.

      A TV station here just recently reaired the 1967 film “The Graduate”, where Dustin Hoffmann plays a young graduate who doesn’t know what to do in his life and gets in erotic troubles with the mother of a girlfriend. Music by Simon and Garfunkel.

      The graduate gets a present from his parents for passing the exam:
      an Alfa Romeo Spider.
      In red, of course.

      Reply
      1. Alfa Romeo another brand (include Saab here too) that wasn’t marketed right, yes the occasional wrong model here & there but doesn’t everyone now and again. Brands with much heritage, sporting DNA & yet undersold & left fighting for their very existence

        Reply
  12. Leave Jeep where it is, otherwise, GM will ultimately find a way to kill it. They can’t help it. It’s in their DNA. GM is doing “o.k.” and they’ve got their hands full with that.

    Reply
  13. There should be a law that states that GM is not allowed to buy anything that’s worth keeping.

    Reply
  14. Can GM buy jeep and rename it hummer?

    Reply
    1. The greatest value of Jeep is the value of the name. It is known globally and also not just seen as a American brand but a global brand.

      You can’t create name equity line that you have to earn it.

      Reply
    2. Wow that would be a marketing move right up there with New Coke!

      Reply
  15. Jeep is a brand with world wide recognition value as the car with which the USA conquered the world in the previous world war.

    FCA is the first owner of the brand to recognize its potential and has developed it with huge success.

    While in 2009 (before the Fiat-Chrysler merger) 340 thousand Jeeps were produced and sold, this rose to 1.42 million in 2016, with production no longer only in North America, but also in Europe, South America, China and India (my information comes from another blog, not own research). Jeep also shares engines and platforms with other brands in the FCA empire (the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X look quite different, but ride on the same underpinnings).

    Oh, say others, we didn’t know what Jeep can be, and now we want to have it!

    I think it is ridiculous to think that FCA would sell its cash cow, and cripple its other brands by the same token.

    Reply
  16. If FCA wants to sell Jeep I’d love for GM to buy it. But I’d be ok with Ford buying it too. I’d hate to see jeep become a Chinese brand.

    Reply
    1. Why? Like most Americans, you most likely spend most of your money on Chinese made goods and Asian cars dominate the sales charts in the US.

      Reply
  17. Does this mean that dodge is in serious trouble? Are they bleeding this much cash that they have to sell off pieces to stay in business?

    If so then I am all for jeep being sold to anyone, seeing dodge have a downward slide would make me happy!

    Reply
    1. Seeing folks laid off at Dodge shouldn’t make anyone happy.

      Reply
  18. It makes more sense for the Chinese to buy FCA. It gives them instant access to vehicle distribution and dealerships to sell their vehicles in counties they are trying to penetrate.

    Reply
    1. Totally! If FCA would be bought by a state owned Chinese company, Ford and GM would have no other choice but to accelerate their plans to move production and parts sourcing to compete. This is exactly what the Chinese are doing to Volvo. New models are now made in China.

      Ford is betting the farm in China (with 6 new plants) and transferring significant production to China from Canada and the US. Let’s hope the Ford family is learning the language… 70% of Fords built in China (including those for exports) will be full electric by 2025.

      https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2017/08/22/ford-furthers-global-electrification-expansion.html

      Sales of EVs in China far outpaces the rest of the world and now Ford is getting in on the action. It just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company called Zotye Auto. the companies will explore how they could build a new line of all-electric passenger vehicles in China. The 50:50 joint venture would sell the vehicles under a local brand name. The two will also look into developing, marketing and servicing the new line of EVs. Foreign automakers cannot get subsidies for EVs unless they manufacture those cars in China. And they have to get a Chinese partner to manufacture there.

      Reply
  19. I thin k it is too late for that. If GM shows any typed of interest the little Italian man will say, “A ha! I knew it! You want me. Admit it. You. Want. Me. You. Need. Me.” And even it was maybe almost true that GM wants a little slice of Chrysler, the whole messy can of worms would be wide open again. And this time, some folks might start to believe it. If GM wants it, the best thing to do would be to let the Chinese buy it from FCA, then buy it from the Chinese. It may cost a bit more, but it would keep the little Italian’s mouth shut, and that is one cost we can ALL live with, but not without. More, though, I am with Jon V8. Rebuild Hummer before anything else. At least you still have all the dies, etc.

    Reply
    1. Why do you think GM still has the dies and after all these years why do you think they are worth anything? Do you actually think that you could just re-start production of old and totally outdated products?

      Reply
  20. I say … go for it. Jeep is an American brand, let’s keep it that way. Maybe GM will do something with Jeep that FCA never did that’d do great. What? Take that 1941 model, update it with the safety specs required, keep it simply appointed. Offer it up with few options, auto, a/cm, cruise, hard top/doors, one engine option (4 cyc like the original). This will open the door to 4WD buyers who can spend $20K …. not $35K to $40K. Now … for those who’d like “more” offer up an accessories catalog with all he modification parts others want.

    Reply
    1. @Brad Barefoot:

      Actually, Jeep is today an international brand. Produced on four continents.

      “Maybe GM will do something with Jeep that FCA never did that’d do great. What? ” — Yeah, what?

      When FCA took over, Jeep sold ~340,000 units per year, in 2016 1.42 million. 2 million are projected for next year (2018).

      “open the door to 4WD buyers who can spend $20K …. not $35K to $40K.” — the Jeep Renegade would the one for you: “MSRP* STARTING AT $17,995”

      Others may look rather for the 2018 “Grand Cherokee Trackhawk” with its “supercharged 6.2L V8 engine” delivering 707 HP, but OK, this is with MSRP starting at 85,900

      More on the www at jeep.com or the August 24 article on “Automotive News” by Jamie Butters and Tommaso Ebhardt: “FCA envisions Jeep as global SUV giant to fulfill auto dreams”

      Reply
  21. The last thing I want is a 4 wd with a four banher in it

    If you can’t build a v8 powered 4 wd then why bother!

    As for the cost making something cheap is the wrong way to make money.

    Offer a 4×4 north of 35k so only the people who really want them can have them!

    Reply
    1. Really Brian … it’s not always about what you want. Like it or not we live in a global market, and outside of the United States 4 an 6 cylinder engines are the mainstay power plants of choice. You may not be aware but in the E/U gas sells for upwards of $7 per gallon, so thirsty V-8’s need not apply. And of you really think $2.15 a gallon gas prices are going to always be around I guess you forgot 2013 when in NC gas prices flirted with $4 per gallon, in CA it was closer to $5 per gallon. OPEC could wake up today and raise oil prices. Now … economics lesson. If you live in the US Snow Regions 4WD is a necessity, not a luxury. The smaller SUVs w/all wheel drive like the Buick Encore for instance have done well. Now … a lesson in practicality … after WWII the humble Jeep like the Army rode to victory in came home and like the soldiers who drove it, and found it’s way into Americans hearts … especially in the farming community. The humble jeep was outfitted with an optional rear pto (power take off) like a tractor and could be fitted with a generator for instance to supply electric power in an emergency … among other uses. It’s aftermarket accessories GM can control an sell that’d make them money. The Jeep in my thoughts could do this job, it could be a vehicle for the masses in the Snow Regions around the world, it could be again used in the Military, it could again be found working on America’s farms as well as farms around the world. Again, we live in a global market, and that buyer in South America whose needs are dramatically different from yours really could care less about “the last thing Brian wants”. Today it’s insane that people are buying Surburbans, Expeditions, and Escalades among other 14 mpg SUV’s to be family haulers. I … personally would love to see the Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon come back. A woman once told me that she’d not be caught dead in a “station wagon” … to which I replied … really … you’re merely driving a jacked up, 4WD station wagon, that you paid close to $55K for the privilege. She blinked as she realized that statement was true. We walked out together from Little Caesars I climbed into my Malibu Maxx … her into a Surburban.

      Reply
      1. I am not like most people in this world!

        I for one could care less what other people are doing around this world.

        I also could care less what other laws or rules countries around the world have.

        I don’t care how much fuel cost in another country.

        I am probably the only person that would love to see the gas prices go back up to 5 bucks a gallon and stay there for a couple of years.

        All of these gas guzzler cars and trucks that people will dying to sell will be able to pick up on the cheap.

        I could care less about what the window sticker says in terms of MPG.

        People in America need to stop worrying about the rest of the world. Stop building crap for other countries and put this counties priorities first.

        Having a big v8 in every vehicle should be a priority!

        If you haven’t figured it out I am not a planet loving tree hugger

        Reply
      2. The American economy is large enough it does not need to bow to the whims of the EU. I don’t care what little pieces of junk pass for cars in Europe. I don’t live in Europe. We like our power – 500+ just for the fun of it – Camaros, Corvettes, Mustangs, and Hellcats! And yes, range matters. To hell with electric cars. That idiotic precept seems to forget that the electricity they run on starts it’s life as FOSSIL FUEL burned in a POWER PLANT and concentrating fuel burning by increasing power plant fuel burn is worse for the environment than having multiple fuel burning cars disperse the exhaust over a wider area (research “temperature inversion”).
        If the Socialists wanna be Socialists – let them. When they ruin their economy and their culture, we’ll be waiting here, Constitution in hand willing to point them to a copy of it to fix their messes (again).

        Research the Bakken formation.
        We have more oil in this country than in all of the Middle east combined. It is not as easy to get to as we don’t have the luxury of sticking a straw in the sand, but there are ways. We only depend on others because we allow ourselves to with idiotic legislation. But now that we got the Clown-In-Chief out of office and grown ups are in charge again (well, OK, Capitalists), I am far less concerned about what cute pieces of junk sell in Europe. We sell cars with 700+ and 800+ horsepower in this country – and we’re ready for a return to the Big Block and anxious to enter the era of 1,000+ horsepower supercharged engines. We may be the fringe, but Dodge had no problem getting orders for the Demon – dealers were charging between $20,000 and $70,000 just for the rights to pay another $85,000 to get one (they were auctioning off the purchase rights). We even have a 707 horsepower grocery getter – https://www.jeep.com/hostc/bmo/CUJ201803/models.do (Trackhawk).
        The Ford Raptor is also selling well as a 400+ horsepower racing truck.

        Europe can keep their Socialist heads of state (way to go Greece!), their 300 kph governors and their 4 bangers and six cylinder junkers. We don’t need that crap here.

        Reply
        1. I have a 1970 chevy c10 with a 600 hp 383/700r4 3.73 12 loc right posi. It drinks fuel like a big dog drinks water!

          I love high hp GM cars and trucks and I hope that never changes, I also don’t mind if battery based cars are built for the us!

          My only issue or concern is that they won’t both always be a option. As long as the big cubic inch high hp engines are offered then I have zero problems with fuel sipping cars and trucks.

          Just don’t take away my right to have either or!

          Reply
        2. NoisewithoutReason,
          I won’t go over all the falsehoods in your diatribe but you should know that your so called American car companies (the 2 of them) are in a zero growth environment in the US and can’t survive without business outside the US. Haven’t you noticed that Cadillacs are now designed to cater to the taste of the new wealthy class of Asians. (larger mirrors, back seats and wheelbases) Take a look around you, the US is becoming a third world country and all the growth on the planet is taking place in Asia. The world is moving away from fossil fuels with or without the US. The Chinese Communist party has dictated that all transportation is to move to electrification with clear targets. China is emerging as leaders of the world and France and Germany the new leaders of the free world. The US is becoming irrelevant and isolated. The entire world is laughing at the gross incompetence, arrogance and impotence of your government. Your Village Idiot in Chief and his Soviet born prostitute are an embarrassment.

          Oh and for the climate change ass holes like you, mother nature is coming your way and let it be known, this is just the beginning. Miami, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana, Texas, California, New Jersey, New York better figure out how Venice was built before they become part of the world oceans. I doubt they will.

          Reply
          1. I don’t live anywhere near any of those states so I could care less what happens when the hurricane hits! It doesn’t matter what happens around the world I will still drive my v8 gas guzzler and be proud of it!

            There is this movement to small underpowered cars and trucks because the world has realize that they can’t compete with the US in terms of hp at the us price point! So what does the rest of the world do? Make up this crazy climate change crap to force people and countries to conserve fossil fuel!

            Reply
            1. 70% of the cars sold in the US are 4 bangers and the average age of the car fleet is over 11 years old. No one is asking you to give up your V8. A recent study by Consumer Affairs stated that most American families can’t even afford a new car so I’m not seeing this huge stampede to 500+ hp V8. So this comment is also aimed at you NoisewithoutReason.

              Fuel in Europe is 6 to 8+$ per gallon and look at the product line of German brands. In terms of mega horsepower models available, they put everybody else to shame. But they are also improving efficiency and will be leaders in electrified vehicles.

              Reply
          2. What a douche of a windbag.

            Reply
  22. No need to sell FCA – they are on pace to be profitable by 2019.
    Jeep driveline is shared among other FCA products and any venture purchasing FCA would lose that leveragability (could replicate it, but at cost).
    GM killed the Hummer because they’re stupid. The original was renown for it’s off-road prowess. Remember the central drive shaft, CV joints, lack of differentials? They got rid of all that and threw a modified body on an otherwise normal drive train then tried to market it by showing it driving down a beach. I used to laugh at people who bought/drove those things. They were no better than any pickup truck or Suburban off-road. They were just big and unique looking. They were lousy on road and were nothing special off-road.
    GM would ruin Jeep. Their late model trucks are hideous looking.
    This is how you design a truck:
    https://www.ramtrucks.com/limited-editions/1500/trx/index.html

    Reply
    1. You or any American have nothing say about the future of FCA. FCA IS NOT AN AMERICAN COMPANY and hasn’t been for nearly 20 years. They’re not even registered in the US. In case you haven’t noticed, F in FCA is for Fiat and they run the show. Fiat was handed the ashes of Chrysler during bankruptcy in the hope of saving a few jobs at a time when the company had negative equity. Which means they were worth less than nothing.

      FCA is just another company which can’t survive on its own and doesn’t have the money to develop future products that the “world” would want to buy. The Demon, Hellcat and TrailHawk are just cheap to develop distractions to create some excitement on an otherwise outdated product line with the lowest quality in the auto industry. Capiche?

      Reply
      1. Actually, FCA did develop new Jeep models and managed to increase the world wide sales since 2009 from about 350,00 to 1.42 million. They are now revitalising the Alfa Romeo brand, and their sales numbers keep growing.

        This said, let me add that it is not important to “Buy American”, but to “Buy Union”. Support workers, not the union-busting bosses.

        Reply
  23. I think GM would make Jeep way more reliable. The build quality of Jeep interiors is very premium at this point, with interior materials and aesthetics very well appointed and designed. Thanks to FCA. FCA really gave them that breath of fresh air and it was badly needed. Still though, as plush as they are, the mechanical reliability is still poor and Jeep still seems to produce vehicles that have many problems at premature mileage intervals compared to other brands. Electrical and drivetrain issues are still excessively prevalent. Many people dont have issues but there are also a lot of people that do, seemingly more so compared to owners of other makes and models. GM has a history of producing mechanically reliable vehicles that go well over the 200k mile mark with relatively no issues. I would love to be able to buy a Grand Cherokee with the reliability of a Tahoe. After having read thousands of owner reviews of Tahoes and Yukons, I know GM makes very reliable vehicles fit for long term ownership. For instance, every other Tahoe/Yukon review notes how little their owners have had to do to maintain their vehicles and have over 200k miles. Conversely, Jeep owners note how they have spent a fortune in maintaining their vehicles in every other review. So despite Jeep’s lavish interior quality implies the mechanical quality is just as premium, but its not according to reviews. My Jeeps unfortunately have had non stop issues, however they are older models from 98 and 2002 and may have been maintained very poorly prior to my ownership of them. Still though, I know a few people that have newer post-FCA merge Jeeps and they to have had excessive issues. I just don’t understand why they can’t be built to the same reliability standard as other brands. Jeep could make an even bigger killing otherwise and GM engineers could help Jeep achieve that by upgrading the glitchy mechanics to more sound options and keeping Jeep’s current aesthetic design cues. I’m not sure if Jeep is cutting costs where they shouldn’t or just poorly selecting where they’re buying parts from, or both.

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