2 Door Gladiator Version?

[drogers]

Good point! What I am basically trying to say is that - a lot of money has been invested by Jeep in a whole new dedicated assembly line and I don't think they're going to limit themselves to building just one singular crew cab truck. They need to maximize the return on this investment so I think (hope) many varitations will be forthcoming to maximize their return. After all the hard part and costly part of committing to engineering and building this new chassis is over - comparatively speaking developing and offering new and varied cabs and bodies is now easier and relatively inexpensive.

That whole ‘maximize their investment’ theory only really applies if FCA can’t sell their full capacity of 100-150k 4 door short beds every year, and I’m guessing that at least for the next 4-5 years they absolutely can.

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[2015er]

That whole ‘maximize their investment’ theory only really applies if FCA can’t sell their full capacity of 100-150k 4 door short beds every year, and I’m guessing that at least for the next 4-5 years they absolutely can.

Not to be argumentative but there's no way FCA sells 150k or even 100k per year of a single body mid-size truck. For all of 2017 the Tacoma - the perennial no. 1 selling mid-size truck sold just over 198,000 units - with three cab variations (crew, extended, and regular) and not just one. The next best seller was GM at just 112,000 units and that's sales spread over two brands (GMC and Chevy) and once again three cab variations. These numbers support the need to offer more configurations. The unique advantage of the Jeep brand is its heritage as evidenced in the vehicles that have been part of its name. The FC and the Crew Chief as shown above are assets that no other manufacturer can ever have and if they're smart they'll take advantage of these assets and maximize them as well as selling the Gladiator in multiple configurations. This variety will grow sales to profitability where one offering of a crew cab truck will not.

 

[drogers]

This variety will grow sales to profitability where one offering of a crew cab truck will not.

Given that the vast majority of trucks sold today are crew cabs, you’d have to show me a lot more data than you have to convince me (or FCA likely) that the work involved in tooling a second and third truck would be profitable.

A standard cab would require a new (3rd now) chassis, it’s not as simple as chopping the back doors off a crew cab. And do t even get me started on what would be needed to design an FC - it’d start with a completely different power train, cooling system, and frame to begin with.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Not to be argumentative but there's no way FCA sells 150k or even 100k per year of a single body mid-size truck. For all of 2017 the Tacoma - the perennial no. 1 selling mid-size truck sold just over 198,000 units - with three cab variations (crew, extended, and regular) and not just one. The next best seller was GM at just 112,000 units and that's sales spread over two brands (GMC and Chevy) and once again three cab variations. These numbers support the need to offer more configurations. The unique advantage of the Jeep brand is its heritage as evidenced in the vehicles that have been part of its name. The FC and the Crew Chief as shown above are assets that no other manufacturer can ever have and if they're smart they'll take advantage of these assets and maximize them as well as selling the Gladiator in multiple configurations. This variety will grow sales to profitability where one offering of a crew cab truck will not.

If you look at the 4 Door Wrangler vs 2 Door the 2 Door makes up about 18% of total sales:

If you assume a similar take on the JT it would easily allow them to sell 100,000 trucks in a 4-door config.

 

[2015er]

If you look at the 4 Door Wrangler vs 2 Door the 2 Door makes up about 18% of total sales:

If you assume a similar take on the JT it would easily allow them to sell 100,000 trucks in a 4-door config.

Comparing the sales of the established Wrangler that just about has its own market niche with no competition to that of a mid-sized pickup is apples and oranges. If Jeep stays on a foolish track of making billions of dollars of investment to build one single cab configuration truck then my prediction is it will sell much like the Honda Ridgeline - a "truck" with a single cab offering and another short bed. The fact is the Ridgeline is made on the same platform as the Honda Pilot which is the same wheelbase. So the Ridgeline is essentially an open air station wagon. The sales figures for the Ridgeline are as follows: In 2017 it sold 34,749; 2016 it sold 23,667 as the new body style came into the market. This is where the Gladiator if offered only as a crew cab will end up.

To further support my argument about the need for multiple cab offerings - look at the recent announcement from Ford concerning the newly redesigned and once again USA-offered 2019 Ranger. They are building a crew cab with a 5 foot bed AND an extended cab with 6 FOOT BED!!! I think Ford as the manufacturer of the planet's best selling vehicle (the F150) knows a thing or two about the truck market. Just like all their competitors (Toyota, GMC, Chevy, & Nissan) do with their mid-size truck models. Why? Because there's a market for it - some buyers want the longer bed and have no need for all that cab space - this is not a hard decision.

 

[2015er]

Given that the vast majority of trucks sold today are crew cabs, you’d have to show me a lot more data than you have to convince me (or FCA likely) that the work involved in tooling a second and third truck would be profitable.

A standard cab would require a new (3rd now) chassis, it’s not as simple as chopping the back doors off a crew cab. And do t even get me started on what would be needed to design an FC - it’d start with a completely different power train, cooling system, and frame to begin with.

All I am saying is - if Jeep wants to really penetrate the mid-size market and make a profit with the their mid-size truck then they are going to need multiple offerings to compete in the same market as their competitors. And Jeep has the advantage of a rich heritage with successful trucks that could be reintroduced to the market and keep them leverage over their competitors.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Comparing the sales of the established Wrangler that just about has its own market niche with no competition to that of a mid-sized pickup is apples and oranges. If Jeep stays on a foolish track of making billions of dollars of investment to build one single cab configuration truck then my prediction is it will sell much like the Honda Ridgeline - a "truck" with a single cab offering and another short bed. The fact is the Ridgeline is made on the same platform as the Honda Pilot which is the same wheelbase. So the Ridgeline is essentially an open air station wagon. The sales figures for the Ridgeline are as follows: In 2017 it sold 34,749; 2016 it sold 23,667 as the new body style came into the market. This is where the Gladiator if offered only as a crew cab will end up.

To further support my argument about the need for multiple cab offerings - look at the recent announcement from Ford concerning the newly redesigned and once again USA-offered 2019 Ranger. They are building a crew cab with a 5 foot bed AND an extended cab with 6 FOOT BED!!! I think Ford as the manufacturer of the planet's best selling vehicle (the F150) knows a thing or two about the truck market. Just like all their competitors (Toyota, GMC, Chevy, & Nissan) do with their mid-size truck models. Why? Because there's a market for it - some buyers want the longer bed and have no need for all that cab space - this is not a hard decision.

You're missing the point of the Gladiator. It's a "lifestyle" vehicle that was never built with the intent to take over the mid-size market. its similar to the ZR2 from Chevy. FCA is coming out with a Ram Dakota that will accomplish what you're talking about in 2020 or 2021, so they have no NEED to make the Gladiator in different configs.

FCA has already dont internal projections which are much better than anything you and I can put out, as they have a dedicated market research team that costs millions to do these types of projections.

 

[DaveNH]

All I am saying is - if Jeep wants to really penetrate the mid-size market

They don't.

They don't intend the JT to compete in the broader mid size segment. They've said as much.

They likely view the competition as the ZR2, TRD Pro and possibly (along with the JL) the Bronco (which Ford has also pegged as a lifestyle vehicle). Higher end, niche market.

That said, I'd bet that even in the mid size segment as a whole, the demand for standard and extended cabs is limited, just as with the half ton trucks.

 

[Jeep_VB]

Comparing the sales of the established Wrangler that just about has its own market niche with no competition to that of a mid-sized pickup is apples and oranges. If Jeep stays on a foolish track of making billions of dollars of investment to build one single cab configuration truck then my prediction is it will sell much like the Honda Ridgeline - a "truck" with a single cab offering and another short bed. The fact is the Ridgeline is made on the same platform as the Honda Pilot which is the same wheelbase. So the Ridgeline is essentially an open air station wagon. The sales figures for the Ridgeline are as follows: In 2017 it sold 34,749; 2016 it sold 23,667 as the new body style came into the market. This is where the Gladiator if offered only as a crew cab will end up.

To further support my argument about the need for multiple cab offerings - look at the recent announcement from Ford concerning the newly redesigned and once again USA-offered 2019 Ranger. They are building a crew cab with a 5 foot bed AND an extended cab with 6 FOOT BED!!! I think Ford as the manufacturer of the planet's best selling vehicle (the F150) knows a thing or two about the truck market. Just like all their competitors (Toyota, GMC, Chevy, & Nissan) do with their mid-size truck models. Why? Because there's a market for it - some buyers want the longer bed and have no need for all that cab space - this is not a hard decision.

I disagree, as you said the wrangler just about has it's own market niche with no competition. I believe the Jeep Gladiator is the same, no competition. You can argue that the Tacoma is competition but then I could argue that the 4 runner is Jeeps competition. I believe the Gladiator is going to take sales from the Tacoma, GMC, Chevrolet and the Ford Ranger. It's a niche vehicle and I think the sales of the 4 door jeep show why Jeep doesn't need to make different cab configurations at all. Jeep is making a 2 door Jeep at this point for tradition of the 18% of 2 door Jeeps sold I would say 50% of those would buy a 4 door and the rest would buy a used 2 door. I don't think Jeep will sell as many Gladiators as they do Wrangler (they are not going to make that many) but I think they will do just fine.

Now if they are selling really well and their focus groups tell them they can make a substantial profit if they offer an extended cab then yeah they may offer it in a couple of years. But for now I think we are going to see only the 4 door for at least 3 years.

 

[2015er]

I disagree, as you said the wrangler just about has it's own market niche with no competition. I believe the Jeep Gladiator is the same, no competition. You can argue that the Tacoma is competition but then I could argue that the 4 runner is Jeeps competition. I believe the Gladiator is going to take sales from the Tacoma, GMC, Chevrolet and the Ford Ranger. It's a niche vehicle and I think the sales of the 4 door jeep show why Jeep doesn't need to make different cab configurations at all. Jeep is making a 2 door Jeep at this point for tradition of the 18% of 2 door Jeeps sold I would say 50% of those would buy a 4 door and the rest would buy a used 2 door. I don't think Jeep will sell as many Gladiators as they do Wrangler (they are not going to make that many) but I think they will do just fine.

Now if they are selling really well and their focus groups tell them they can make a substantial profit if they offer an extended cab then yeah they may offer it in a couple of years. But for now I think we are going to see only the 4 door for at least 3 years.

If not available in the first year I think an extended cab is available by the third year at the latest. Furthermore, lifestyle truck does no necessarily always translate to crew cab. There are many lifestyle needs that prefer a longer bed than 60 inches and paying all that money for a second bench seat that people like myself rarely if ever use. I will not buy this truck if crew cab only and there are many buyers out there with same attitude. Evidence of this is the 2019 Ranger - available immediately with crew and extended cab configurations.

 

[2015er]

The J-12 .....Now this is a truck!

 

[jeepthing88]

If you look at sales stats for JK and JL 2 door vs 4 door, the 4 door is dominating the market. Probably 5:1 sales 4dr vs 2dr. I doubt they will commit to a regular cab truck with development costs, etc for such a small market. Even crew cab pickups are killing standard cabs in all other brands.

actually i just watched a video on this the other day and its 80 percent 4 door 20 percent 2 door. I still want at least a double cab long bed configuration.

 

[2015er]

actually i just watched a video on this the other day and its 80 percent 4 door 20 percent 2 door. I still want at least a double cab long bed configuration.

I agree that a two door configuration probably will not happen as you're correct the market does not appear to be there for two door trucks anymore. But I hold out hope for the extended cab as seen in the original Gladiator concept that started the modern movement towards another Jeep pickup truck 13 years ago....

 

[JK2JL]

I could see a cheap Jeep based on the JLU frame, 2 door with body integrated utility 5’ bed (like the actual scrambler design).. drop in the eco-diesel, lose the 30” of extra truck. Offer this as a very stripped down model and build up as you like. Would be great internationally as well for FCA...

 

[bilash31]

Just fanning the flame here, but as @Moabite mentioned here

Under Clearances: "Measurements the same for both 2-door and 4-door models." Hmmm

the marketing material mentions 2-door

Now we all know FCA marketing material is known to be riddled with inaccuracies. But considering this should be a completely newly developed spec sheet, it certainly could be foreshadowing things to come...

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