The Jeep Grand Wagoneer Might Be Too Late

SUVs are hot right now, especially the really big, luxurious ones. It’s too bad the Jeep Grand Wagoneer isn’t already out, because it would be hauling in truckloads of cash for Fiat Chrysler. Instead, the three-row SUV is still in development, costing the company plenty.

A new report from Automotive News highlights the bumbling of this project by Fiat Chrysler brass. It mentions how CEO Sergio Marchionne mentioned way back in 2011 that Jeep needed that vehicle. Why hasn’t it happened yet? Infighting, dragging feet, and other ineffective things have made developing the Grand Wagoneer an excruciating process.

Jeep dealers aren’t happy. They have customers constantly asking when the Grand Wagoneer will come out. They could be selling the SUVs and hauling in even more profits, but instead they watch customers buy Range Rovers, Suburbans, Expeditions, or Sequoias.

In typical FCA fashion, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer could hit the market when interest rates are much higher, car sales across the board are down even more, fuel prices are higher, and people aren’t clamoring for the thing.

Still, plenty of people will snatch it up just because it’s a Jeep. The real question is if those sales would’ve been significantly higher if the SUV had launched in say 2015 or 2017?