Hyundai to buy Fiat Chrysler?
 

He's been trying to sell FCA for years - I guess Hyundai is the latest suitor?

Hyundai Jeeps anyone?

Supposedly, Jeep is one of the most valuable brands of any in autodom. Ram is decent too. The rest? Not so much. Dodge is barely holding on, Chysler has a couple models and should go the way of Plymouth. I don't know what owning Fiat means outside of Europe. Alfa , Lancia and Maserati could all be sold off to someone else.

Chrysler brands are quite the red headed stepchild. Just can't find a home anywhere. Without Jeep they would have folded long ago.

The funny thing with Jeep is, that literally every company that's ever owned Jeep has gone under. So bizarre.

Took a long time for Jeep to become what it is on the global stage. I miss the Grand Wagoner; the best looking Jeep product to date.

I always felt that jeep could be a brand like Porsche in that they cater to a lifestyle. Of course I'm not saying that they could charge Porsche prices, but they have serve an automotive addiction and can really create a lifestyle image. Especially these days people are becoming more outdoorsy and are seeking a more utilitarian look out of a vehicle. The jeep is an iconic shape with a dedicated following and fills a niche. Their resale value says alot and while alot of other makes tried to compete, they just couldn't stay with it.

It's funny you say that, considering Jeep Wranglers are $40-58k depending on trim and options already, which is almost 718 money, and that's before aftermarket mods Jeep owners are known for.

Of course I need an offroad jack on my hood for my daily commute! Jeep could totally take the P car options model and buyers would go nuts.

Jeep has a strong brand image and DNA. Ram has that as well to a lesser degree. Those are the two with any value.

Agreed. If you see the money the off road types pour into their rigs and lifestyle, it would give Porsche track rats a run for their money. Theres money to be made there, the resale value on wranglers are insane. Shift their focus on making a more quality product, make it profitable at a lower production price point and you have an object of desire. Heck pro athletes are buying them and tricking them out as well. Then develop a thoughtful lineup of vehicles and you have the makings of a successful brand. Just like Porsche keeps the 911 rear(ish) engined, keep the wrangler DNA in tact but create new models to conform to market trends like EV while keeping an eye on not diluting the jeep brand.

Cars etc are becoming more of a luxury good in densely populated areas. I believe younger folks arent buying cars because they are figuring out they can love without them and the ones they want they cant afford. In this marketing/post for likes society why would anyone desire a Corolla or a HRV? Sedans are dying meanwhile the 3 series, let alone m3 live on. People want to buy something special to make them feel special. That doesnt mean it needs to be exclusive or expensive. Sell people on the lifestyle, get them excited about what they're buying into, and they buy it.

As far as ram goes, great way for Hyundai to enter the truck market. Perhaps merge the ram and dodge name back together as if anyone cares that they're separate. Turn Chrysler into a true luxury brand that could share platforms with genesis and it may just work.

They could then keep Hyundai focused on competing with the japanese vehicles, keep dodge in a more utilitarian brand to address fleet vehicles, ram for trucks, and Chrysler for luxury. I will say though that with genesis Chrysler does become redundant and probably the biggest challenge to get going.

I really like Grand Cherokees. If you get the gussied up one they are so nice I actually prefer them to any other SUV. Rather have one than a Range Rover. But the get expensive and they are brutal on gas with a hemi. They need to find a way to get them over 20 mpg in daily driving. (don't quote me EPA because everyone I know with one gets well under EPA)

And speaking of Porsches, my local dealer built a swanky new building and I went over to schedule an oil change. They have 2 CPO GT4's if anybody has cash eating a hole in their pocket. I did not even want to know what they are asking for them.

Jeep stopped putting the Hemi's in a couple years back, they only offer the Hemi in the SRT now. I rented a GC in the spring and drove it from MI to CO and thought it was quite nice. I do prefer my Range Rover to it though ;)

Well, I went with the V6 Durango for the reasons above. Nice driving like a GC, but 5" longer means real usable space in back, and the "normal" V6 is more livable and lower maintenance than the V8. I get 17/22 mpg with a lead-foot wife driving it, which for a truck I think is good, the body is big but narrower than typical for the class, so its easier to maneuver and park. Plus, I think they are more reliable than Rovers. ;)

The Durango looks nicer than the GC in most trim.

The pentastar v6 is a really good engine, our '13 Wrangler had it and I never once thought anything negative of it. If the GC had more towing capacity I would've strongly considered one, but as a vehicle I like them a lot. I was hoping Jeep would bring back the Wagoneer, but that doesn't seem to be happening, or at least not quick enough for me.

FTR, my Rovers have been trouble free (except the 04 Disco, but we don't talk about that one anymore) :D