Jeep Mulling Regular Hybrids to Complement 4xe PHEV Models
Faced with a significant drop in sales over the past 18 months, Jeep had to resort to cutting production and prices for select models in recent weeks, but there’s still work to do to fix the situation. Essentially, the brand has to offer more vehicles that people want and can afford to buy.
The plan to electrify the entire lineup by 2025 remains on track. However, despite impressive power and performance, Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid models are not attracting a large number of customers due to their high prices and limited EV range.
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In an interview with Automotive News this week, the VP of global product planning, Matthew Nyquist, said that conventional hybrid systems that improve fuel economy and don't require charging could be a solution.
“Between plug-in and (traditional hybrids), there's quite a bit of associated cost, as we have the engine and a fairly good-sized battery within the plug-in hybrid," he told the media outlet. “So, (traditional hybrids are) definitely something we would study across all the segments to provide the right price point and the right kind of fuel economy for our buyers."
In another attempt to offer more vehicles that people want and can afford to buy, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa hinted back in the spring that dwindling EV demand in North America might force the company to add a gas-powered variant of the all-new Wagoneer S and upcoming Recon.