1977 Jeep Wagoneer, 360ci V8 4bbl Quadratrac 4x4 3" Lift Kit, Rebuilt Drivetrain on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Fiat-based baby Jeep spotted testing in US and Europe

Details remain scarce, but our spy photographers have managed to capture the upcoming Jeep B-segment crossover for the first time, testing in both the Alps and in the US. Shown here as a cobbled-together Fiat 500L mule, the new Jeep model is expected to arrive for the 2015 model year and act as a replacement for the current Compass and Patriot models.
According to our shooter, the new "baby Jeep" will share a platform with the Fiat 500X, and both models will be built on the same assembly line in Turin, Italy. We can't tell much from these images, but the added length apparent on this 500L mule would seem to dispel the recent speculation that the new entry-level Jeep model would be sized closer to the Ford Fiesta - since the 500L is already considerably larger than the Fiesta. Powertrain options will likely mirror other Fiat/Chrysler collaborative vehicles like the Dodge Dart, but this Jeep will also try to live up to its off-road roots with an optional all-wheel-drive system.

FCA profits surge in second quarter

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles gave the cash register a beating in the second quarter, improving its net profit to 333 million euros ($364M US), which is a 263-percent jump over its reported Q1 profit of 92 million euros ($108M US). At the same time, FCA improved its global profit margin to 7.7 percent. Compared year-over-year, in Q2 2014 FCA reported net profit of 197 million euros making this year's Q2 a 69-percent increase, and profit margins a year ago were 4.9 percent. The two big factors for this increase are strong NAFTA sales and Jeep. In the US alone, Jeep sold 222,940 units in Q2 this year, a jump of almost 20 percent over the same period last year. Revenue in the NAFTA region totaled $18.8 billion, adjusted earnings before interest and taxes were $1.45 billion, both of those numbers more than doubling compared to 2014. The vastly better numbers come on marginally more global sales, 1,181,000 units sold in Q2 2014, 1,193,000 units sold in the same span this year. In the US, FCA began charging dealers one-percent more for vehicles to up the margins, a move that helped boost its US margin from 4.1 percent a year ago to 5.8 percent the first half of this year. The company is holding steady on its guidance of global deliveries at 4.8 million and its net profit guidance at $1.1 to $1.3 billion. It has increased its adjusted outlook for the year to $120.5 billion in revenue, and EBIT to "over $4.93 billion." News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio Earnings/Financials Chrysler Fiat Jeep FCA

2019 Jeep Wrangler Moab spied near FCA headquarters?

If past history is any indication of future realities, expect to see a bunch of special editions and new model designations for the new JL Jeep Wrangler starting, well, right about now. A member at JL Wrangler Forums spotted a car carrier about 10 miles from FCA headquarters on which sat a couple Wranglers. And one silver Unlimited model was wearing a conspicuous set of Moab stickers along with a bevy of bits and pieces cribbed from Jeep's expansive aftermarket parts catalog. In addition to the Moab labeling, this Wrangler sports steel bumpers, blacked-out wheels and trim, and beefy BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires. We also note body-color fender flares and a set of rock rails to keep the bodywork protected from boulders. We only have one image and we can't see inside, but our guess is that the Moab would sort of bridge the gap between the stylish Sahara and off-road-ready Rubicon models. JL Wrangler Forum members seem to think this is the real deal and not just some stickers affixed by a dealer, but without more images or official confirmation from Jeep, we can't know for sure. But we'd be shocked if more Wrangler variants weren't in the works for the 2019 model year. In other words, stay tuned for more. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: JL Wrangler Forums Design/Style Spy Photos Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles jeep wrangler unlimited