From 973,227 vehicles sold in 2018 to 643,000 units in 2023, that’s quite a fall for Jeep. It has experienced five consecutive years of decline. The removal of the affordable Renegade and Cherokee certainly hasn’t helped, but new CEO Antonio Filosa has a plan. The Wagoneer S and Recon will be electric SUVs. In addition, gasoline versions would also be considered.
Talk with Automotive News, the Jeep boss admitted that the two future electric SUVs could be joined by conventionally powered derivatives. This would be possible thanks to the STLA Large platform that already underpins the new Dodge Charger. This is an EV-centric architecture that can also accommodate ICEs. The new generation Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio also benefit from this equipment.
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The big boss of Jeep said Automotive News that if opportunities present themselves for ICE releases, “we have to take them or someone else will.” Given that the electric vehicle market appears to be cooling, selling these two gasoline-powered models at a presumably lower price seems like a no-brainer. That would make sense, especially since the company’s new goal is to achieve one million annual sales in the United States.
Even with gas-powered derivatives of the Wagoneer S and Recon, hitting 1M still seems like too ambitious a goal at this point. Cheaper vehicles to indirectly replace the Renegade and Cherokee would help increase volume. The European Jeep Avenger could be a solution in the United States, but that wasn’t mentioned during the interview.
Meanwhile, the 600-horsepower Wagoneer S is expected to go on sale in the third quarter of the year for a short period of 2024MY. With 0 to 60 mph in less than three and a half seconds, it will be the fastest Jeep vehicle ever. It offers a range of around 400 miles and all-wheel drive with a dual-motor setup. The company boss says the large electric SUV can attract Tesla buyers who “want something more sophisticated.”
The smaller Recon will arrive by the end of the year and will be on sale for its first full year in 2025. Aside from the STLA Large platform, technical specifications have not been disclosed, but it is expected to be smaller than Wagoneer S. Filosa projects that interest Wrangler customers. electrified off-roaders will want the Recon.
