I heard this in the radio a few minutes ago and checked Allpar.com for the story. Here it is;

New crossover coming by 2010 to Jefferson North

Chrysler is spending $1.8 billion to convert the Jefferson North plant in Detroit, which now makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee, to production of a car-based sport utility vehicle ("crossover"). Tom LaSorda told radio station WWJ that the money will be spent on new tooling and a flexible body shop at the plant, and that the new vehicle will use the Phoenix V6 engines. Production is scheduled to start in early 2010.

Good news for Detroit and at least Chrysler is planning for a future. It is somewhat sad to see more and more suvs going to car platforms.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080813/bs_nm/chrysler_dc_3

. . . . and the Grand Cherokee name will be retained. The 'new' car-based SUV will be the legendary Grand Cherokee.

Has anyone come across any pictures/drawings of what this vehicle will look like? If not, I would think something would start showing up soon, with the Detroit Auto Show only a few months away.

Car-based Grand-Cher? Yeah, that's great news, for Jeep, bad news for the die-hards and the traditionalists.

Jeep will only have two truck based SUVs. The Liberty and Wrangler--if the Liberty doesn't get axed beforehand.

The Liberty is not truck based, neither is the Grand Cherokee. Unibody.
the Wrangler is it's own platform body on frame not based on any truck.

Technically, you're right, but most people view the Liberty and GC as truck-based.

I can tell you, if this is true, Chrysler is NOT listening. They have been chewed up one side and down the other for not having straight axles, low range, and loads of torque in all vehicles. If they were listening we would be seeing a Patriot with straight axles, diesel engines, and a low range transfer case available on all models. Toughen it up as much as possible without cutting into the impressive mileage.

A poser, like an all wheel drive, IFS, crossover will kill the Jeep brand if it carries the legendary Cherokee name. The Compass does not need a big sister.

The Compass does not need a big sister.

:icon_rolleyes: lol nor does the patriot. fellas should remember the patriot/compass are twins, just not identical! :blah:

My only thought would be whether there'll be a Chrysler in 2010. I've read of a co-op with Nissan for smaller vehicles. Maybe Chryssan or Nissler, eh?

It would be nice that if all of this is true about our beloved Grand, that they would offer a version that would be "real Jeep". In other words have your economical version for all the urban folks and then have an "option package" that would make it a real "trail rated" Jeep.
Pure speculation though on what really will happen.

Chrysler will die if they don't adapt. There are only a few people that will buy $30K+ 4x4 large vehicles when gas is $4 or more per gallon. (which has been proven by the diving sales in the last year)

I think they are trying to respond to market conditions.

What they should be doing is just making a Diesel/Electric Hybrid and keep the GC the same! Not sure why Chrysler hasn't joined the Hybrid bandwagon.

Chrysler will die if they don't adapt. There are only a few people that will buy $30K+ 4x4 large vehicles when gas is $4 or more per gallon. (which has been proven by the diving sales in the last year)

I think they are trying to respond to market conditions.

What they should be doing is just making a Diesel/Electric Hybrid and keep the GC the same! Not sure why Chrysler hasn't joined the Hybrid bandwagon.

Chrysler has laughed in the face of federal fleet mileage standards for years (since 2000) because of their GEM electric vehicle fleet. These electric cars allowed them to sidestep real efforts to build fuel efficient combustion engines. http://www.gemcar.com/
Why they do not attempt to adapt this vehicle for light highway and commuter use is a mystery.

I heard this in the radio a few minutes ago and checked Allpar.com for the story. Here it is;

New crossover coming by 2010 to Jefferson North

Chrysler is spending $1.8 billion to convert the Jefferson North plant in Detroit, which now makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee, to production of a car-based sport utility vehicle ("crossover"). Tom LaSorda told radio station WWJ that the money will be spent on new tooling and a flexible body shop at the plant, and that the new vehicle will use the Phoenix V6 engines. Production is scheduled to start in early 2010.

Good news for Detroit and at least Chrysler is planning for a future. It is somewhat sad to see more and more suvs going to car platforms.

Why don't they just call it what it is.....A STATION WAGON!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080813/bs_nm/chrysler_dc_3

. . . . and the Grand Cherokee name will be retained. The 'new' car-based SUV will be the legendary Grand Cherokee.

Has anyone come across any pictures/drawings of what this vehicle will look like? If not, I would think something would start showing up soon, with the Detroit Auto Show only a few months away.

Here is a Detroit news article as well..

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/AUTO01/808130452

Why don't they just call it what it is.....A STATION WAGON!!!

Yeah, I wonder if the Grand Cherokee won't end up being a rebadged Dodge Journey.