GMC Still Mulling Over Jeep Wrangler-Fighter; 2020 Launch Window Considered
The 2010 GMC Granite Concept may foreshadow the look of a potential Jeep-fighter
Photo: © General Motors
Rumors have had GMC eyeballing the prospect of making an off-road-friendly Jeep Wrangler-fighter for years, and recent comments from Mark Reuss claiming that the brand is looking to cut into Jeep’s sales with the launch of the 2017 Acadia All Terrain do little to dissuade from the idea that tackling that particular task is still very much on the radar.
Neither does a report today from Automotive News that analyzes potential paths for market share growth. Chief among those paths is following up on those plans to build a body-on-frame utility vehicle on the bones of its Canyon (and Chevrolet’s Colorado), though the arrival of that particular vehicle does not seem to be likely until at least 2020 as there has not yet been anything sourced to suppliers.
Sam Fiorani, vice president of vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, told Automotive News that “Jeep is on such a growth path. GMC is the obvious one to go after them,” adding that building a body-on-frame Wrangler fighter “is a prime candidate” for its first real foray into that particular demo.
It is also noted in the article that GMC appears to be eyeballing its off-roading SUV for 2020 as a means to also compete against the likely-to-return Ford Bronco.
Brand chief Duncan Aldred said in an interview last week that new products would likely only join the lineup in 2020 as it would coincide with the kick-off of the second phase of its two-phase growth plan. In that same interview, he confirmed that cutting into Jeep’s sales are indeed in the cards.
“I do think GMC has got the brand equity and brand character in many respects to give customers a really good alternative to Jeep products,” Aldred said.
News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.