Chrysler Group has announced plans to launch a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and to add 1100 jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan.
A diesel-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is set to arrive for 2013, will supplement the SUV’s current 3.6-liter V-6, 5.7-liter V-8, and 6.4-liter V-8 engine offerings. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne had previously revealed that a Jeep diesel would debut by 2013 in an interview in October. The engine is expected to be the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 offered in Europe, which produces 237 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It should be significantly more fuel efficient than the Grand Cherokee’s gasoline engines; in Europe, the diesel Jeep is rated at the equivalent of 28 combined mpg.
The company also will add 1100 jobs at the Jefferson North plant, which currently employs about 2890 people and builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. Adding more workers and a third shift will increase capacity for building these vehicles — including the aforementioned diesel Jeep.
“We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history,” Marchionne said in a prepared statement.
Chrysler also reiterated that the 2013 SRT Viper supercar will be built at the company’s Conner Avenue factory in Detroit, starting in late 2012. The old Dodge Viper was produced at Conner Avenue from 1995 until the car ceased production in July 2010.
A diesel-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is set to arrive for 2013, will supplement the SUV’s current 3.6-liter V-6, 5.7-liter V-8, and 6.4-liter V-8 engine offerings. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne had previously revealed that a Jeep diesel would debut by 2013 in an interview in October. The engine is expected to be the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 offered in Europe, which produces 237 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It should be significantly more fuel efficient than the Grand Cherokee’s gasoline engines; in Europe, the diesel Jeep is rated at the equivalent of 28 combined mpg.
The company also will add 1100 jobs at the Jefferson North plant, which currently employs about 2890 people and builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. Adding more workers and a third shift will increase capacity for building these vehicles — including the aforementioned diesel Jeep.
“We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history,” Marchionne said in a prepared statement.
Chrysler also reiterated that the 2013 SRT Viper supercar will be built at the company’s Conner Avenue factory in Detroit, starting in late 2012. The old Dodge Viper was produced at Conner Avenue from 1995 until the car ceased production in July 2010.
Super Member
Well, if it has HID's and working puddle lights, might be something to look at.
Newbie
That is interesting. The diesel was a very good seller in Canada so i assume that it will be sold here as well?
One more option or standard feature Jeep needs to add, in my opinion, are exterior power folding mirrors, which are standard on the ML350 in Canada-- which is useful for easily getting in and out of a garage that has a somewhat narrow opening, like mine.
Currently, this option is not available on the Jeep GC in Canada and was one of the reasons, besides no diesel engine, that I ordered the 2012 ml350.
One more option or standard feature Jeep needs to add, in my opinion, are exterior power folding mirrors, which are standard on the ML350 in Canada-- which is useful for easily getting in and out of a garage that has a somewhat narrow opening, like mine.
Currently, this option is not available on the Jeep GC in Canada and was one of the reasons, besides no diesel engine, that I ordered the 2012 ml350.
