Going Aluminum Part 2 – Jeep and Toledo

We mentioned what would happen to Jeep body shops that would have to change if the new Wrangler goes aluminum, but what about the rest of the Wrangler? How will Jeep handle a new aluminum Wrangler?

That question may be the most important question of all if Jeep goes Aluminum for the Wrangler. Recently, Automotive News quoted Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler, as saying, “We firmly believe that we have to downsize the engines that are going into the Wrangler, just in terms of displacements, and then increase the capabilities by putting turbos in and doing other things to that engine. This requires a complete rethink of the architecture.”

That’s the hint that something drastic is coming to the Wrangler. Most are saying it is all but confirmation of aluminum-body Wranglers. However, there is another major problem with using that metal: the production facility. Again, from Automotive News quoting Marchionne: “If the solution is aluminum, then I think unfortunately that Toledo is the wrong place, the wrong setup to try and build a Wrangler, because it requires a complete reconfiguring of the assets that would be cost-prohibitive. It would be so outrageously expensive that it would be impossible to try and work out of that facility.” However, not that long ago Marchionne was quoted saying Wranglers would not be made outside of Toledo.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>