chrysler still has $1.8 billion?

No joke, they still have $1.8b to spend?

I really dont see the logic in this move. They are investing a gigantic sum of money into a plant to produce more of their trademark SUVs. Albeit small SUVs, but Im sure their numbers are hurting like everybody elses.

Are they really so blind to see what is happening around them in the automotive industry? You dont hear everyone else dumps BILLIONS into truck/SUV assembly. If this money was spent wiser, Chrysler might not be on the decline theyve been in over the last decade...

a plant that produces 120k cars? Thats not a plant, thats a workshop.

I think the 1.8b is from the pensionfund....

"It is expected that the new car based Jeep will actually be the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee"

Huh? I remember the early 90's Grand Cherokee. It was much like every other "suv" of the time. A rectangular box on top of a truck platform. And because of that it could actually do Jeep stuff, like go off road. (I seen lift kits put on these things...)

And now you are redesigning it with a car platform? (Not saying a lot of the newer Jeep stuff isn't quite as offroad as it used to be) Great another big SUV that really can't go anywhere it's not paved...

I admit my wife's Rodeo doesn't have a great ride, but it's built like a truck. And I have little fear when she accidently goes urban commando and hits a curb or something...

The whole point of the Grand Cherokee was the fact that it was a mainstream vehicle that is fully capable offroad. If they take that away, they're taking away what made the Grand Cherokee a Grand Cherokee. My dad had 2 Grand Cherokee's, my first vehicle was an '89 Cherokee. They're wonderful vehicles and I'd rather them just discontinue the line than change it to a car based SUV aka crossover aka glorified minivan. Isn't that what the Compass, and Patriot are for?

@D!:

"The whole point of the Grand Cherokee was the fact that it was a mainstream vehicle that is fully capable offroad. If they take that away, they're taking away what made the Grand Cherokee a Grand Cherokee.... They're wonderful vehicles and I'd rather them just discontinue the line than change it to a car based SUV aka crossover aka glorified minivan. Isn't that what the Compass, and Patriot are for?"

Dude, I could NOT have said it better myself.
I totally agree with you!!!

Please dis regard my first comment...

I think desperation for the automakers survival is the reason for the stupid decision.

Speaking of stupid, I'm the exact definition,
I bought and now drive a used pontiac Aztec, now that my sunfire broke down. (I have terrible taste in cars but am okay with that)

As usual, i'm feeling lonely and just wanna listen to sad love songs by Anita Baker.

Who in their right mind would want a car based Jeep?

Just like how the H1 was (and all ways will be) the only true Hummer, the Jeep Wrangler is the only true Jeep.

Brian you are so right.

This could kill the Jeep brand name, just basically turn it into another car line that isnt made well.

Jeep customers have certain expectations, it does the job while others look the part but never see dirt.

How are they going to justify the extra cost of buying a Jeep when you are just getting another station wagon?

Do they really want to compete with Honda and their line of "trucks"? Thats death!

And whats worse is that will be a Dodge version of it. Why buy a Jeep?

I am a proud Jeep owner. I'm on my second right now. I think the inline 6 engine is the best engine ever made. I purposely bought a 2004 Grand Cherokee used instead of a brand new one so I could still have that wonderful engine.

I started thinking about a year ago what a Jeep car would look like and I had a lot of the concerns others are expressing, that it won't be a real Jeep. I think they could make something neat. I'm not all for the Compass or Patriot but it would be pretty cool to see them make a Baja-like car with 4-wheel coil springs with a lot of travel and a good Subaru-like awd system that works.

Think about a wide, low profile car that can take a 2-track. Now think of it with a Jeep grille. That sounds sexy to me.