Uhhh...Acela Trucks just launched a 2-door Jeep Comanche on a Gladiator!!

[biodiesel]

@jeepmojave, thanks for posting the video. It was super helpful. I wished they would have showed what the inside (behind the seats) looked like. The price is very impressive. If it had a diesel option, then I'd place an order today. Even without the diesel option, I'd still place an order if they put a better engine in it. I would like to see either a V8 option or the inline 6 Hurricane.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Jeep brings back a diesel option. Stellantis has recently said they are now investing heavily into diesel again. The new Dakota will have an inline four-cylinder 2.2L turbodiesel engine overseas. From what I've read, it's slated for 200 hp/332 lb.-ft torque and mated to an 8-speed transmission. I'm hoping the U.S. Dakota will get a diesel engine at some point, but I'm not holding my breath.

Nonetheless, I'd be willing to pay $60,000 (after discounts) for the Jeep in the video with a few upgrades. That would be a near perfect truck for much of what I do. It's very fitting to our lifestyle.

Sponsored

 

[Mud Pie]

Everything appears that they do NOT sell to the general public (yet), only government/company contracts. If they do eventually supply Jeep dealerships, you can guarantee the price will skyrocket. Jeep will mark it up, dealers will mark it up, and replacement parts will be hard to find. Warranty ? Jeep or Acela ? I can't swing into an Acela dealership because one of the drop panel hinges went wonky... Jeep will most likely say, "Contact Acela, it's not an official Jeep/Mopar product.".

I fear these Jeeps will not get much further than the concept stage. Cool idea, though.

 

[NC_Overland]

Everything appears that they do NOT sell to the general public (yet), only government/company contracts. If they do eventually supply Jeep dealerships, you can guarantee the price will skyrocket. Jeep will mark it up, dealers will mark it up, and replacement parts will be hard to find. Warranty ? Jeep or Acela ? I can't swing into an Acela dealership because one of the drop panel hinges went wonky... Jeep will most likely say, "Contact Acela, it's not an official Jeep/Mopar product.".

I fear these Jeeps will not get much further than the concept stage. Cool idea, though.

I’ve said that twice now. They will probably ignore the third time it’s posted also.

 

[Mud Pie]

I’ve said that twice now. They will probably ignore the third time it’s posted also.

Yep.

When the president of the company says they ONLY have government and large company contracts, well, guess what ? They DO NOT sell to the general public !! Guys, you can want, plead and cry all you want. You can send wish list emails to them. It doesn't matter, they aren't going to change their business model. Acela wants to sell FLEETS of these vehicles at once, not onesie-twosie trucks here and there to those that think they are "cool". They do not want to deal with Farmer Joe calling to complain about an issue. The company that bought 20 of them in one shot ? They'll listen. You as an individual ? Nah.

Look at the video. It wasn't filmed at a open to the public car show, it was filmed at a professional event, everything around it was company related; no shiny Jeeps perched on fake rocks. No flashing light shows of a vendor selling rock lights. No vehicles thumping with 80 speakers onboard. No scantily clad girls hawking the latest must-have-but-not-needed gadgets.

Think of it like a HMMV. Not a Hummer wannabe, I'm talking a true military-issue HMMV. Can you place an order for a new military issue ? Nope. Not sold to the general public. People whined and cried, so they came out with the Hummer, a castrated vehicle with loads of plastic and comfort inside but resembles a HMMV to satisfy the wannabes. You can buy clapped-out surplus HMMV's on the used market, that's your only choice.

The odds of you having a Dispatcher in your driveway any time soon is as likely as you winning the Powerball next week. But it is to dream....

 

[NC_Overland]

Yep.

When the president of the company says they ONLY have government and large company contracts, well, guess what ? They DO NOT sell to the general public !! Guys, you can want, plead and cry all you want. You can send wish list emails to them. It doesn't matter, they aren't going to change their business model. Acela wants to sell FLEETS of these vehicles at once, not onesie-twosie trucks here and there to those that think they are "cool". They do not want to deal with Farmer Joe calling to complain about an issue. The company that bought 20 of them in one shot ? They'll listen. You as an individual ? Nah.

Look at the video. It wasn't filmed at a open to the public car show, it was filmed at a professional event, everything around it was company related; no shiny Jeeps perched on fake rocks. No flashing light shows of a vendor selling rock lights. No vehicles thumping with 80 speakers onboard. No scantily clad girls hawking the latest must-have-but-not-needed gadgets.

Think of it like a HMMV. Not a Hummer wannabe, I'm talking a true military-issue HMMV. Can you place an order for a new military issue ? Nope. Not sold to the general public. People whined and cried, so they came out with the Hummer, a castrated vehicle with loads of plastic and comfort inside but resembles a HMMV to satisfy the wannabes. You can buy clapped-out surplus HMMV's on the used market, that's your only choice.

The odds of you having a Dispatcher in your driveway any time soon is as likely as you winning the Powerball next week. But it is to dream....

Well put. Enthusiasts can buy them used at actions years from now, but very likely never as a new vehicle.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

The Gr8tops option that was mentioned before is probably your best option at this point. Reinforce the frame find or make an aluminum bed and set it up how you like. If I had more cash than I knew what to do with I’d go that option.

 

[montechie]

Everything appears that they do NOT sell to the general public (yet), only government/company contracts. If they do eventually supply Jeep dealerships, you can guarantee the price will skyrocket. Jeep will mark it up, dealers will mark it up, and replacement parts will be hard to find. Warranty ? Jeep or Acela ? I can't swing into an Acela dealership because one of the drop panel hinges went wonky... Jeep will most likely say, "Contact Acela, it's not an official Jeep/Mopar product.".

I fear these Jeeps will not get much further than the concept stage. Cool idea, though.

Acela as a company does sell their Monterra to private buyers, I've talked to them when they've showed off the Monterra reman around Bozeman. They do marketing at overlanding shows and will sell direct, they just don't bother with consumer marketing online. I doubt the new Monterra II or JT will be available anytime soon for individuals, but that's because of queues, nothing in the video says they don't sell direct anymore.

 

[smlobx]

is that $56K in addition to the cost of the Truck? HAHAHAA

No. It’s $56K in a Sport S configuration as shown on the TFL video

 

[biodiesel]

No. It’s $65K in a Sport S configuration as shown on the TFL video

He said the Jeep in the video, with its options, is $56,000 delivered to anywhere in the United States.

 

[smlobx]

He said the Jeep in the video, with its options, is $56,000 delivered to anywhere in the United States.

You’re correct. I changed my comment.

 

[biodiesel]

You’re correct. I changed my comment.

In my opinion, that's a pretty good price. Back when Jeep was offering 25% off MSRP, we paid $53,000 for our 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel.

 

[BourbonRunner]

He said the Jeep in the video, with its options, is $56,000 delivered to anywhere in the United States.

So when it hits Iron Planet in 5-7 years as a surplus lot I can bid $5K and win it, right?

 

[biodiesel]

So when it hits Iron Planet in 5-7 years as a surplus lot I can bid $5K and win it, right?

I would guess that commercial demand alone will keep them busy. A small company like this won't have to worry about surplus. Acela Truck Company is an upfitter not an assembly line. Jeep might have a surplus, though. And surely that would work in your favor.

My dealer in Utah is an upfitter. For a long time, he was upfitting the European Jeep J8 diesel for underground mines. I don't think people fully understand the need and demand for this type of application. The owner talked about fire, rescue, and mining, but I can see this Jeep being bought my utility companies, forestry divisions, oil and gas companies, and numerous other small businesses that have to get into very remote places, especially here in the mountain west.

On the non-commercial side, I think the demand will be high enough that consumers might have to wait many months, which is probably normal for upfitters. I know of a business in Indiana that puts custom hauler beds on HD trucks. It's pretty common for their customers to wait 3 - 5 months.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I would guess that commercial demand alone will keep them busy. A small company like this won't have to worry about surplus. Acela Truck Company is an upfitter not an assembly line. Jeep might have a surplus, though. And surely that would work in your favor.

My dealer in Utah is an upfitter. For a long time, he was upfitting the European Jeep J8 diesel for underground mines. I don't think people fully understand the need and demand for this type of application. The owner talked about fire, rescue, and mining, but I can see this Jeep being bought my utility companies, forestry divisions, oil and gas companies, and numerous other small businesses that have to get into very remote places, especially here in the mountain west.

On the non-commercial side, I think the demand will be high enough that consumers might have to wait many months, which is probably normal for upfitters. I know of a business in Indiana that puts custom hauler beds on HD trucks. It's pretty common for their customers to wait 3 - 5 months.

I suppose you're right. I figure since govt agencies have to cycle through their inventory and unload it I could at least dream.

With regards to the specialty market: My understanding is Toyota imports a small number of 70 series currently to Canada for mining operations.

 

[biodiesel]

With regards to the specialty market: My understanding is Toyota imports a small number of 70 series currently to Canada for mining operations.

It looks like my dealer is also using the Toyota. They still list the Jeep J8, but I'm not sure if it's available. Here's a few links to their underground mining trucks.

MSHA Approved Vehicles | Underground Mining Trucks | Classic Motors

Fuel Trucks | Lube Vehicles | Classic Motors

Sponsored