Jeep still undecided on next-gen Wrangler plant

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles still hasn’t set a date for when it will decided whether to build its next-generation Jeep Wrangler at its Toledo plant or another facility altogether, the company’s chief executive said on Friday.
Toledo, Ohio, has been the home of the Wrangler since 1991, but FCA is weighing other production locations for the next-generation of the rugged SUV, due out in 2017. Despite that fast-approaching launch date, Jeep CEO Mike Manley says the company has no timetable for a decision.

“There’s no set date for a decision, but obviously there’s a lot of pressure and interest to make a decision as soon as possible,” Manley told The Detroit News. “There’s a lot of vested interest in it, and I think everybody wants to understand where we’re going.”

The city of Toledo and the state of Ohio have reportedly been lobbying FCA to keep Wrangler production at its current location, but details of the negotiations have remained sealed. Officials have, however, purchased 100 acres of land adjacent Toledo Assembly Complex.

Although the future production spot of the Wrangler remains up in the air, it sounds as if Jeep is leaning toward building a pickup truck version of the SUV.

“It is certainly a place the brand can go,” Manley said when asked about a future Jeep pickup. “If you were going to do it, you would probably do it on a new-generation Wrangler.”