Jeep Cancels America’s Shot At Getting A Plug-In Hybrid Pickup

• Jeep has canceled the upcoming Wrangler Gladiator 4xe.
• The plug-in hybrid model of the pickup Wrangler was alleged to debut this yr.
• That is the second time in lower than two weeks that Stellantis, Jeep’s guardian firm, has axed an upcoming mannequin.

America’s probability of getting a comparatively inexpensive plug-in hybrid pickup truck simply vanished into skinny air after Jeep canceled the upcoming Wrangler Gladiator 4xe. The cancellation of the plug-in hybrid pickup is efficient instantly, with all associated actions and agreements to be concluded, in response to a letter despatched by Stellantis, Jeep’s guardian firm, to suppliers final week, quoted by Automotive Information.

The Jeep Wrangler Gladiator 4xe was scheduled to launch this yr, as introduced in 2024 by Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, who was Jeep’s CEO on the time.

The Gladiator 4xe would have been Jeep’s third plug-in hybrid mannequin, after the common Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.

That is Stellantis’ second product cancellation in lower than two weeks. Earlier this month, the auto big pulled the plug on the Ram 1500 REV all-electric pickup, saying it could maintain the title for the range-extended Ram 1500, which was beforehand often known as the Ramcharger.

The all-electric full-size Ram truck had been delayed a number of instances earlier than being discontinued, whereas the extended-range model of the pickup received a lift in improvement and is scheduled to go on sale subsequent yr.

Nevertheless, the Ram 1500 REV, which makes use of a gas-powered V-6 engine to recharge its large battery, will most likely be something however inexpensive. In the meantime, the discontinued Jeep Wrangler Gladiator 4xe might have been America’s finest shot at getting one thing Chinese language consumers have had entry to for a couple of years: an off-road succesful, fairly sized pickup that may drive on electrical energy within the metropolis and supply peace of thoughts on the paths–so long as the fuel tank is full.

All this being mentioned, the cancellation of Jeep’s PHEV pickup isn’t precisely a shock. Gross sales of the gas-powered Gladiator in the USA went from almost 90,000 models in 2021 to 42,123 models final yr. In the meantime, Canadian deliveries totaled simply 2,368 fashions final yr, down from their peak of 4,985 in 2022. Including a plug-in hybrid model in a market the place all-electric pickups have didn’t seize the general public’s consideration would have most likely been a expensive mistake, which Stellantis simply can’t afford proper now.

The car-making behemoth that owns no fewer than 14 manufacturers has seen gross sales slide throughout the boardwith double-digit drops in comparison with final yr. A CEO change didn’t make issues simpler for Stellantis both, so tweaking its product technique to generate profits isn’t precisely a foul concept.