New details about the new Toledo built Jeep SUV. We will get our first official look at the new SUV in March. It will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show.
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says full production gets underway on May 23rd and the new SUV should be in most showrooms this July.
Although he won't talk specifics, Marchionne makes it clear he is excited about the new Toledo built product, "I need that car. You go back to Toledo and tell everyone to get ready because we are going to push this vehicle as hard as we can!"
Marchionne jokingly talked about just how important the launch date is, "May 23rd is the date that car goes into production. Tattoo it on your arm if you have to."
While we wait to see the new Toledo product, the other Toledo built vehicle just keeps on breaking records. There are more models of Wrangler than any other nameplate in the Chrysler line up and they unveiled the newest one today. The latest Wrangler to roll off the lines here in Toledo is the Rubicon 10th anniversary edition. It is the most capable Rubicon ever built. It has all kinds of special features, everything from custom bumpers, to a heat vented hood and bigger tires . Designers say it is all Jeep.
The Wrangler set record after record in 2012 and the plant has been unable to keep up with demand, so the question is how to expand production. Mike Manley is the CEO of Jeep, "I think there is an opportunity to squeeze more production out where we are, but we need to find a long term fix for the Wrangler in terms of fulfilling demand."
Marchionne says the long term solution will likely be an expansion of the plant, "One thing we will look at is finding ways to physically expand within the Toledo environment, whether it is at the plant where we will build the Liberty successor or if it's at the current plant that makes Wrangler. We need more breathing room."
The auto Show opens to the public this Saturday at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.
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