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Jeep going bigger with new Grand Wagoneer, smaller with sub-Renegade?

The headlines are still rolling in for the new Renegade that Jeep unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last week, but already reports are surfacing, citing sources within the company, about what Chrysler's iconic off-road brand will do next.
Speaking with Auto Express (whose reports we tend to take with a grain of salt or two), Jeep chief Mike Manley suggested that two courses of action are currently under consideration at Auburn Hills to develop two very different new models - one smaller and one larger than anything Jeep currently makes.
One plan would be to make an SUV or crossover even smaller than the new Renegade, although it isn't immediately clear what platform it would take. The Renegade (pictured above in Trailhawk spec) will be built in Italy alongside Fiat's upcoming 500X, but uses a heavily modified platform. We figure the smaller model, if approved, could base itself on the new Fiat Panda Cross.

Fiat Chrysler's Q3 profit boosted by strong North American earnings

MILAN, Italy — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) reported a 17 percent jump in third-quarter adjusted operating profit on Tuesday, helped by a strong performance in its key North American market and improving operations in Europe and Latin America. The world's seventh-largest carmaker still makes the lion's share of its profits in North America, so improving, or at least maintaining, its margins there is a key focus. The carmaker reported an 8 percent adjusted operating profit margin in the region, up from 7.6 percent a year ago, despite a drop in sales and shipments. "FCA's profitability in North America remained strong in the quarter despite a weakening market there," a Milan-based analyst said. FCA's profitability compares with an 8.3 percent North America margin reached in the quarter by bigger U.S. rival GM , showing CEO Sergio Marchionne making progress towards his goal of closing the margin gap with GM and the company's other U.S. rival, Ford, by 2018. The company's confirmation of its full-year outlook also pushed shares higher, a trader added. The stock was up 2.8 percent by 1129 GMT, outperforming a 1 percent rise in the European auto index. FCA has been retooling some U.S. factories to boost output of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and trucks while ending production of some unprofitable sedans to strengthen profitability as the U.S. car market comes off its peak. The company said a drop in North America shipments due to lower fleet sales and discontinued models was partially offset by higher deliveries of Ram trucks and two models from the Alfa Romeo stable: the Stelvio sport utility vehicle and Giulia sedan. Profitability also improved in Europe, helped by sales of the Stelvio and the new Jeep Compass, and Latin America, while margins at Maserati remained strong at 13.8 percent due to strong demand for its first SUV, the Levante. In a later conference call, investors are looking for hints on the new strategy to 2022 which the company promised to unveil early next year. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said earlier this year that FCA would streamline its portfolio and that components businesses, including Magneti Marelli, would be separated from the group, possibly via a spin-off. While FCA confirmed its targets this year, doubts remain about its exposure to a weakening U.S. market, recall costs and potential fines over emissions after it was targeted by European and U.S.

Jeep Wrangler Red Rock concept brings Moab to SEMA

Among the concepts that FCA is showcasing at SEMA this year, the Jeep Wrangler Red Rock concept has been decked out with accessories from both the Mopar and Jeep catalogs. The concept is based on the existing Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock edition, but has been taken even further in for this show truck. It pays tribute to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club and the Easter Jeep Safari it hosts every year in Moab, UT. The Red Rock concept rides on a 2-inch lift kit with 17-inch beadlock wheels shod with 35-inch all-terrain tires. It also has differential covers, a reinforced swing gate and wheel mount, a power winch, LED headlamps and fog lights, and an onboard CB radio. To help it crawl those rocks, it boasts electronic locking differentials, a Rock-Trac transfer case, and Dana 44 solid axles front and rear. Visually setting this concept apart are such special touches as a power-dome hood, red tow hooks front and rear, new rock rails, a color-keyed grille with low-gloss inserts, low-gloss bumpers, and of course the requisite special badging. Inside it's been done up in brown leather with silver accents and a special grab-handle plaque. This particular version will remain a showpiece only. So if you want to see it, you'll have to head to the show floor in Vegas this week. However Jeep is committed to undertaking a production run of 50 examples with many of the same special touches to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Easter Jeep Safari next year. Related Video: Jeep® and Mopar Introduce Wrangler Red Rock Concept at SEMA Show - New Wrangler Concept features array of Mopar and Jeep® Performance Parts - A serialized 50-unit special-edition production Wrangler – inspired by the Red Rock Concept – will be built as a tribute to the upcoming 50th Moab Easter Jeep Safari - Based on Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock edition - Wrangler Red Rock Concept features Amaretto Brown Katzkin leather seats with silver accent stitching and a "Red Rock" embroidered seat back logo - Aftermarket Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift, 35-inch BFG K02 all-terrain tires, commemorative Red Rock appearance package give Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept a unique and rugged presence November 3, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Jeep® and Mopar have teamed up to create the Wrangler Red Rock Concept vehicle that will be showcased at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas.