No Wrangler refresh until 2015
11-30-2011, 08:49 AM
#41
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I take exception to your hypothesis above. The rest can be argued to be fact but don't underestimate your own home grown auto industry. Having worked in auto for 12 years, as a supplier and OEM, and seeing all sides of the playing field including the insides of Toyota, Honda and their suppliers, we're not only within striking distance, we're almost equal. The bankruptcies were our payment for sins committed in the 70's and 80's when our car companies got complacent. Things are different now. Expect great things ahead.
Back to the topic, it's also funny/ironic that the 2012 Wrangler was on MotorWeek last night, and their contention was that "[The Wrangler] soldiered on without notable changes until Fiat gained control of the Chrysler Group. The new management ordered a dramatically upgraded interior for 2011, and for 2012, their efforts to juice up this global icon run all the way to the ground."
Now I don't know if that's true, or if it's just coincidental timing. It's likely a combination of both. If it took some Italian dude in a $5k suit to demand they drop the Pentastar in the Wrangler, I for one say Grazie!
I wonder how much influence Fiat and their culture will have on any Wrangler refresh?!? I just hope they don't go overboard.
11-30-2011, 12:30 PM
#42
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Originally Posted by jsb432
Sounds like maybe we agree more than we disagree. I wasn't saying the US auto industry as a whole is incompetent, I'm well aware there are tens of thousands of smart hard-working folks in the business. I was just observing (like anyone in the industry will admit if you get a couple of beers in them) that the insane overhead from high wages and benefits, and outrageous legacy costs are a (if not the) major hindrance to US auto industry profitability and longevity.
Back to the topic, it's also funny/ironic that the 2012 Wrangler was on MotorWeek last night, and their contention was that "[The Wrangler] soldiered on without notable changes until Fiat gained control of the Chrysler Group. The new management ordered a dramatically upgraded interior for 2011, and for 2012, their efforts to juice up this global icon run all the way to the ground."
Now I don't know if that's true, or if it's just coincidental timing. It's likely a combination of both. If it took some Italian dude in a $5k suit to demand they drop the Pentastar in the Wrangler, I for one say Grazie!
I wonder how much influence Fiat and their culture will have on any Wrangler refresh?!? I just hope they don't go overboard.
11-30-2011, 01:23 PM
#44
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sent from my otterbox'd jeep camera
12-16-2011, 06:23 AM
#45
JK Enthusiast
And I'd like fried chicken to fly into my mouth. You can't repeal the laws of physics, and nothing in the pipeline will give you this sort of mileage other than reducing weight and drag. That means no ladder frame, solid axle, high ground clearance, etc.
12-16-2011, 06:59 AM
#46
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Agreed. The latest Defender concept is a completely new direction for the model.
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