Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is rearrange its product mix to focus more on trucks and SUVs and less on conventional cars, the automaker announced in its latest business report on Wednesday.

FCA cited low fuel prices that it sees as “permanent” as the main reason for shifting away from cars and toward SUVs and trucks. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne also believes that “there’s been a permanent shift toward SUVs and pickups” in terms of consumer demand.

As a result, FCA will “re-utilize … plant infrastructure to try and deal with the development of both Jeep and the Ram brands,” Marchionne said, according to Automotive News.

That plan to move Jeep and Ram to the forefront will result in the delayed United States rollout of the Alfa Romeo brand. The Giulia, which Alfa Romeo revealed last June, will go into production by the end of March. Alfa won’t add its second mainstream model, a midsize SUV, until 2017. A full-size sedan, two addition utility vehicles, a hatchback and two “specialty vehicles” won’t appear until sometime between 2017 and 2020.

The Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, meanwhile, could be sourced from another automaker in the future. Marchionne says the Dart and 200 “will run their course,” after which FCA will re-tool their plants to build more trucks and SUVs.

As with the Fiat 124, which is based on the Mazda Miata, FCA could contract another automaker to produce its small and midsize sedans. Such practice is becoming commonplace in the industry, as seen with Infiniti’s recent introduction of the Mercedes-base QX30.

In all likelihood, FCA will use the 200′s Sterling Heights production facility to build the next-generation Ram 1500, due out in 2018. That Ram will utilize body-on-frame construction, but will gain a hybrid powertrain option.

Photo by Drew Johnson.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed that it is working on both hybrid and diesel versions of its next-generation Jeep Wrangler SUV.

After years of rumors, FCA announced on Wednesday that is moving forward with alternative powertrains for its next-generation Wrangler. Those powertrains will include both a hybrid and a diesel.

Exact timing for the new powertrains wasn’t announced, but the next-generation Wrangler is due in dealer showrooms sometime in 2017. So far FCA has only said that the Wrangler will get the diesel treatment sometime before 2022. A hybrid will launch after the diesel makes its market introduction.

FCA didn’t mention which of its available diesel engines is earmarked for the Wrangler, but the company currently uses a 3.0L turbo V6 in its Ram light-duty pickup. It would make financial sense for the Wrangler to share common parts with another FCA product like the Ram.

The hybrid destined for the Wrangler will likely be of the mild hybrid variety. However, FCA is keeping the details of its electrified Wrangler a secret at this time.

It’s also rumored that the next Wrangler will use aluminum in its construction, but so far FCA has not confirmed those reports.

Lexus is recalling a small batch of its new-for-2016 RX 350 and RX 450h over an issue with the crossovers’ knee airbag module.

Lexus announced on Wednesday that it is recalling about 5,000 units of its 2016 RX 350 and RX 450h crossovers to address a knee airbag module that might not have been manufactured properly. The potentially faulty airbag might not performance as intended in the event of a crash, which Lexus says could increase the likelihood of injury.

Lexus did not mention if any injuries had been linked to the defect.

Lexus dealers have been instructed to inspect and replace the knee airbag where required. The service will be provided free of charge.

Photos by Mark Elias.

Kia has released a teaser clip of the 60-second commercial it will air during this year’s Super Bowl broadcast.

Titled “Walken Closet,” Kia says the commercial is intended to “spotlight the next-generation Optima as the vibrant alternative for those determined not to blend in.”

Although we won’t have access to the full commercial until after kickoff, the teaser provided by Kia shows a man wearing a beige suit asking his wife if she’s seen his beige socks. He continues his search in his closet, which is full of beige clothing. A that point, Christopher Walken (hence the Walken Closet spoof) holds up a pair of beige socks, asking “are you looking for these?”

Kia has positioned the Optima as a stylish alternative in the mid-size segment for the last several years, and it’s clear the automaker will play up that fact in its Super Bowl commercial. Kia is in the midst of launching an all-new Optima for the 2016 model year.

Kia is probably thanking its lucky stars that it hired Walked for its Super Bowl spot rather than its normal pitchman, NBA star Blake Griffin. The Los Angeles Clippers’ forward admitting this week that he broke his hand punching one of the team’s equipment managers.

Photos by Drew Johnson and courtesy of Kia.

Chevrolet has announced that it will introduce two new vehicles at the upcoming Chicago auto show. The Chicago unveilings will follow closely on the heels of the production debuts of the Chevy Bolt and Cruze Hatch, both of which bowed at the 2016 Detroit auto show.

First up will be a mid-cycle refresh for the Trax compact crossover. Introduced just 13 months ago, the Trax’s 2017 update is expected to be relatively minor, with just slight revisions to the CUV’s exterior and interior styling.

Chevrolet will also travel to the Windy City with a new 1LE performance package for its all-new Camaro. Set to become available for the 2017 model year, Chevy hasn’t dished out the details on its latest 1LE pack, but last year’s version included 20-inch wheels, sticky Goodyear Eagle tires, a performance suspension, a unique rear spoiler and a flat bottom steering wheel. The 1LE package should add about $3,500 to the Camaro SS’ bottom line.

Although not a new model line, Chevy will also show off its latest Midnight Edition package for its Colorado, Silverado and Silverado HD pickup trucks in Chicago.

The Chicago auto show will kick off on February 11.