Report: Jeep’s CEO said diesel Wrangler may come by 2015-2016, confirms Grand Wagoneer revival

WardsAuto reported last week that Jeep’s CEO Mike Manley has reportedly said that the Jeep Wrangler could see a diesel powerplant by 2015-2016.

“Wrangler is on the radar to get (a) diesel. Remember we’re also going through the product change of Wrangler for 2015-16. That will probably be the right time to introduce the diesel into that vehicle,” Manley told WardsAuto.

“I’m confident that the Grand Cherokee will show just how large a demand there is for diesel, and I think what that will do is reinforce the need for us to target Wrangler as a vehicle that can take a diesel.”

Chrysler has began trickling its own diesel motors for passenger car use beginning with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 pickup. That said, Chrysler expresses interest in expanding those offerings.

Manley also admitted to being very ingenuous to Jeep’s customer base by staying in touch via advent of social media, promising that he’s there and that he listens.

“I try and stay as close to social media as I can, because ultimately it has to mean something,” Manley commented when describing how some Jeep fans have gone through various ways to contact him. “If they don’t believe they’re having a dialogue with the house, then for me it’s disingenuous.”

Manley also went as far as to confirm that the Grand Wagoneer nameplate will be making a return, most likely in the form of a larger SUV that’s placed above the Grand Cherokee.

“We want to make sure it comes off one of the platforms we have today,” Manley added. “It won’t be an adaptation of a vehicle we have in the Jeep range. This has to be very distinctive within its own right. Really, it’s going to play in a premium segment.”

Source: WardsAuto