Gladiator
- Thread starter roch207
- Start date
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
Keep in mind (and it applies to them not offering a 2-door as well) that Jeep’s research was exactly backward on the JK/JKU popularity split when they were introduced.
Jeep forecast/built 85% JKs and 15% JKUs at the intro in 2007 and only to find out it was *exactly* the opposite when they hit the showroom floor. Caused them all kinds of problems to get it switched around.
If they talked to anyone with half a brain, they would have realized that they were finally bringing to market (6 years too late) a proper XJ replacement and should have AT LEAST expected 50/50. Add in all the soccer moms looking for anything different than a boring SUV/minivan and the additional wheeling ability from the extended wheelbase (the LJ popularity should have indicated this) I have NO IDEA how they screwed that so badly.
I think not offering a 2-door and/or extended cab at all (which by definition gets them into a lower price point as well) is a similar beancounter screwup and they’ve said that they have no plans for it.
I totally agree with this statement...only problem is the price point...the XJ was relatively affordable, the JKU not as much so.
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
Yes, but that's basically true of where the JK went relative to the TJ as well, so if they wanted to alter forecasts based on sticker prices it should have been a hit on both the JK and JKU. That would have altered overall numbers on both, not changed the proportion.
As a counterpoint, they've always been able to sell Grands at much higher prices -- what is that but an expensive XJ (and by 2007 it had lost its straight front axle)? They should have anticipated some of that crowd coming *down* to the JKU to offset the old XJ buyers who didn't want to pay for a JKU.
- City
- Cobourg, Ontario, Cana
- State
- da
I'm a little late to this discussion, but... depending on price, I am wanting to buy one. Had a JL rental for a week while on vacation a couple weeks ago and I absolutely fell in love with it. The JL isnt practical for me, but the JT makes perfect sense... Once the Diesel Gladiator comes out, I plan on seeing what I can get for my Ram and ordering one.
- City
- Minneapolis
- State
- MN
I'm contemplating the same thing. If the power wagon had the cummins available, I would probably have one by now.
Saw a manufacturers fleet vehicle over the weekend up here in the NW LP of MI. Unfortunately, the "owner" was not around to beg for info or a chance to ride/drive. (I'm sure I passed him on the hiking trail though...) It had been disguised at one point based on all the sticky velcro glue residue in places, but I will say they look better in person than in pictures. I may consider one for our land surveying business once a few hit the used car market down the road and after the early production "de-bugging" is complete. I am not one to buy new anyway....just cannot swallow the drive off the lot loss in value!![IMG_2735[1].JPG](https://www.cj-8.com/data/attachments/39/39604-739b4899f6d5fdba9b8b45a45a875fb5.jpg "IMG_2735[1].JPG")
![IMG_2736[1].JPG](https://www.cj-8.com/data/attachments/39/39605-ab3347720d227cf287217f51e452d5f6.jpg "IMG_2736[1].JPG")
SKT
Legacy Registered User
- City
- APO
- State
- AE
- City
- Cave Creek
- State
- AZ
- City
- Allen Park
- State
- MI
From the Detroit Auto Show today. I really liked it.
What were the things you really liked about it and what were the things you didn't?
