Home Rent a car Ask Nathan: is this 3-row Jeep Wrangler real, auto thefts, and why did GM ax the Chevy Cruze?

Ask Nathan: is this 3-row Jeep Wrangler real, auto thefts, and why did GM ax the Chevy Cruze?

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In this week’s Ask Nathan:

  • Does Stellantis Actually to build a three-row Jeep Wrangler?
  • Why even bother when “Stealerships” takes you to the cleaner?
  • Why did they kill the Chevrolet Cruze?
Jeep’s Wrangler Overlook concept hit SEMA this year, with no less three-row seats. (Image: Stellantis)

The first question comes from a fan very curious about the production potential of a 3-row Jeep Wrangler concept that debuted at SEMA 2021. It’s officially called the Jeep wrangler overlook concept.

Q: Nathan my man, I just saw your 3 row Jeep Wrangler story and found out if Jeep is serious?

This would totally be the answer to one of my biggest problems! I know Jeep has the Grand Cherokee L and the upcoming Wagoneer. But these are way too soft for what I need! We just got a Gladiator last August and we love it. But I can’t take my kids AND my friends camping or off-piste!

I know you guys are close to Jeep guys and hope you can ask them if this thing is real! I remember you made a video where a guy used a Gladiator to build his own 3 row Jeep Wrangler type SUV. The one I saw at SEMA makes a lot more sense for production. Do not you think?

Please let me know what you think!

– Doug from Littleton, CO

A: Yes, a 3-row Jeep Wrangler would be epic, but …

There’s a ton of research to be done before something like this can even hope to see production. Passenger safety, weight distribution, EPA requirements, DOT requirements, factory tooling and unit cost should be considered. On top of that, as you mentioned, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Wagoneer could be issues.

It is possible that sales of a 3-row Jeep Wrangler will undermine sales figures for other SUVs.

On the other hand, Stellantis is fully aware that Wranglers are remarkably popular. Building a new option for consumers could offset their R&D costs, as well as balance sales with their other products. It’s hard to say. I know if we see this concept (or a similar concept) at the 2022 Easter Jeep Safari, maybe they are considering this thing for real.

We’ll see!

– NOT


The next question comes from several viewers, and my cousin, regarding the need to buy when many dealerships are ripping you off. There were a ton of comments attached to the video below.

Q: (Summarized from a ton of comments) Why bother dealing with “Stealerships?” »Wait or repair your car until things stabilize.

Recent comments boil down to:

  • “Just get a Tesla, no dealership problem to worry about”
  • “No, we have to abolish the dealerships and their government protections. We have to buy direct from the manufacturer, like Tesla does. “
  • “Please. You’d better order from a certain automaker that doesn’t have a markup and lease a small car for 8 months if you get into a $ 15,000 markup.
  • “Remember the dealers who are doing it now, so when things normalize, you can take the opportunity to bankrupt them as they deserve later. “
  • “Why don’t automakers punish greedy dealers who do this? ”

… and many, many – numerous more comments.

Bronco dealer surcharges - over $ 100,000

A: To TFL viewers:

I wanted to respond to some of these comments on YouTube, but there were just too many. As such, I have put together a few to explain my point of view. Here are five examples, along with my answers.

  1. People should just stay away from dealerships until this shortage is over. ” In some cases, this is not possible. There are many reasons people need a new car, but this one is simple: accidents. There are approximately 5.25 million accidents across the United States on an annual basis. This is according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. The majority of these cars need to be replaced. People need cars, and they (more often than not) replace newer cars. Hell … I had to do it, and I hated this.
  2. “Just take a Tesla” Yeah… wait a minute. This is not a suitable solution everybody needs or budget. Propulsion Tesla model 3 The “Standard Range Plus” model starts at $ 45,190, including a destination charge of $ 1,200. This is before the options. Not everyone wants an expensive electric vehicle. Before we talk about “discounts”, keep in mind: it depends on eligibility, tax bracket, and so on. Some people need more space, capacity, a pickup or an all-terrain vehicle, etc. Yes, the hassle-free online setup is great, but it’s for a product that has yet to win over the masses. Simply put: as good as Tesla is, they don’t have a car for everyone yet.
  3. Just hire a car until it passes. Or, while you wait for a car to be built. There are a few things to keep in mind here: I hate renting, and I will never rent (in most circumstances). A weekly “coupon” rate for a long-term rental is approximately $ 100. Good luck in finding this deal. I saw $ 150 and up for weekly rentals in the Denver area. Still, you’re out of pocket at less $ 4,800 for a “cheap” rental. Worse, you have no equity in a long term rental or lease. Discover my friend MotoMan video on financial risks.

Some dealers even advertise they sell at MSRP. Yay!

  1. “Why aren’t dealerships punished by car manufacturers? “ That’s a great question, but the answer is more complex than you’d probably like to hear. Dealers are not legally obligated to sell vehicles at or even near MSRP, and they have the flexibility to set prices based on what consumers think. will To pay. Automakers want dealers to buy from them, otherwise a Ford franchisee could become a Toyota dealership overnight (just one example).
  2. Remember the dealers who rip us off. Once things are settled, we will avoid doing business with them. It’s a good idea, but it will be difficult to do. These same dealers will (likely) offer massive incentives once the shortage is over. It will attract new customers, despite the potential boycotts at this time. Yet the idea of ​​direct selling is talked about more widely among manufacturers these days, so the “old” days of car sales are likely to be numbered.

The main thing is that for next year we will still fight this shortage. Hopefully, dealers who sell at MSRP (and there are a few) get the recognition they deserve!

– NOT


The last question comes from two comments on the Chevrolet Cruze shutdown.

Q: After owning a 2016 Chevy Cruze for five years, I still love it.

It is the best car built by Chevrolet. I don’t understand why it’s gone. I have traveled nearly a hundred thousand kilometers and only had my pads and my battery replaced!

– F (brother-in-law)

… And from last week’s “Ask Nathan”: “80,000 are doing well for Trailblazer. – 150,000 results in the cancellation of Cruze.

– Ray

A: Thanks for the questions!

I really liked the Chevrolet Cruze, especially the diesel, the turbo and the sedan. Unfortunately, the Cruze’s sales numbers were on the decline and Chevrolet cut the rope when it saw people’s growing interest in crossovers. At its best, the Cruze topped 300,000 sales in North America (in 2014), but in 2019 sales were just over 50,000.

Part of the cancellation relates to GM working on the transition to all-electric vehicles in the near future.

Like Ford, GM is killing many of its cars in favor of crossovers and SUVs. Hell, Buick doesn’t even sell cars anymore, period. It’s a sad sign of the times – unless you’re a huge SUV fan, I guess. I’d be happy to own an RS turbo hatchback with a manual, if they even existed.

Ultimately, most “American” automakers are done with car production or downsized in favor of crossovers.

What are you going to do?

– NOT

Well, Toyota still builds cars, and here are two super frugal examples!

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