Iconic Jeep Cherokee Heads for Retirement After Almost 50 Years In Production

For many vehicle lovers, the phrase that most frequently and nearly habitually will come just after saying “Jeep” isn’t Wrangler or Rubicon or Liberty, it’s “Cherokee.” And immediately after pretty much half a century in manufacturing, the conclude has finally arrive for the Cherokee – but not the Grand Cherokee, to be apparent – and it is very likely the car to swap it will be electrified in some way, just like the $60,000 Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid. But it’s not likely to be named “Cherokee.”

In 2021, the indigenous Cherokee Nation petitioned Stellantis to “retire” the Cherokee title amidst a general wave of rethinks close to item names that some classified as racist or appropriating. There was no phrase from Stellantis on if that request figured into their choice, but the enterprise informed several outlets that they continue being dedicated to the light SUV segment. No upcoming motor vehicle plans were straight away disclosed, but given the soaring level of popularity of the 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) series of designs in the Jeep lineup, the upcoming of the phase would seem clearly pointed in direction of electrification at some amount.

The Cherokee grew out of the Jeep Wagoneer in 1974 as a lighter, additional lithe off-roading and generally extra sporty driving selection to the Wagoneer’s largess. It highlighted two much less doorways and in 1984, as mum or dad organization AMC sputtered, it transitioned to a unibody system and largely kicked off the present day Activity Utility Vehicle phase, or what we phone the “SUV” currently. Resurgent Chrysler scooped up the Jeep brand name as AMC perished, and it now resides with RAM, Fiat, Alfa, Opel, Maserati and many others under the Stellantis umbrella.

It obtained back again the two doorways in 1977 but by then the sample was established for the Cherokee to attractiveness to a extra youth-oriented industry. In excess of the decades, far more than three million Cherokees have been developed. But immediately after the Cherokee was co-badged as the Liberty in the early 2,000s, gross sales ongoing to slip away to competition. Stellantis idled the Illinois plant where the Cherokee is produced on March 1st and its fate – and that of the 1,500 work opportunities there – stays unclear.

Also unclear is what will arrive future for Jeep, but speculation is leaning tricky to a related if redesigned motor vehicle with some kind of hybrid or electric powered drive prepare. It is also mysterious if the Grand Cherokee, presently offered as a hybrid, when see a name alter or also be discontinued, rethought or replaced. With the EV revolution attaining traction, carmakers are locating place to discontinue legacy products in hopes of acquiring fresh product sales attractiveness with new, if mainly untested, promoting suggestions and vehicle platforms. In the meantime, if you even now want a Cherokee, they are continue to on vendor tons and of training course pretty well-known on the employed motor vehicle marketplace.