Jeep News: Jeep Unsure of Direction on Compass

[Drew Dowdell]

Stellantis has paused all work at its Brampton Assembly Plant while it decides the fate of the next generation Jeep Compass. Production of pilot models of the next generation Compass was originally to begin on January 20th, however, the company decided last autumn to move the pilot production start date into May of 2025.

Originally scheduled to go into full production in February of 2026 as a fully electric vehicle with a gasoline version offered later. The sudden resignation of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in December of 2024 has Stellantis reevaluating product roadmaps across all of its brands.

Stellantis has not said how long the pause in activity would be nor if there would be any temporary layoffs. They did state that their investment plans to retool the plant have not changed.

Prior to shutting down for retooling, the Brampton plant was the home to the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger. The retooled facility is planned to support vehicles on Stellantis' STLA Medium platform that can support electric, hybrids, and gasoline vehicles. The Compass was set to go into production for the European market in 2025 with production in Melfi, Italy, later expanding to North America and global markets the following year.

A source inside the company said, “I believe they’re reevaluating whether a battery-electric Jeep Compass makes sense for the North American market”.

Related: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Will Share EV Platform

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[G. David Felt]

Right now, due to the craziness in DC and the attempts to stop the IRA program which should not happen, everyone it would seem is in Pause mode to see what really happens. I suspect a number of products will die, others will be delayed, and stagnation will happen this year in the auto industry.

[Drew Dowdell]

13 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Right now, due to the craziness in DC and the attempts to stop the IRA program which should not happen, everyone it would seem is in Pause mode to see what really happens. I suspect a number of products will die, others will be delayed, and stagnation will happen this year in the auto industry.

Well, Brampton is also in Canada, which makes building it there problematic with tweeter dee and tweeter dumb in office.

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Well, Brampton is also in Canada, which makes building it there problematic with tweeter dee and tweeter dumb in office.

Just saw the CFO of GM state that they have brought on additional ships to draw down their port inventories in South Korea, China, Canada and Mexico and will stuff new built auto's all over the US ahead of the Tariffs to ensure the ability to sell at a reasonable price new auto.

Dealerships need to plan for inventory bloat ahead of the tariff implementation.

Kia, Hyundai, Genesis had been using the port of Seattle to bring in their auto's that would get trucked up to Canada, now they are going direct to Canada.

[Robert Hall]

Jeep's forward direction in general seems muddled at this point...horrible quality and inflated prices have hurt them with many models.   The Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer hasn't done well against GM's big SUVs.  The WL Grand Cherokee is so bland (nice interior though).  The Wrangler remains a popular but pricey novelty.   And they don't have a replacement yet for the Cherokee..the last Cherokee was too close to the Compass in size..

[smk4565]

In true Stellantis fashion, they should make the Compass about $55k to compete with the Land Rover Evoque so that when they don't sell they can discount then $13k like the Dodge Hornet and still not sell any.

On 2/21/2025 at 11:30 AM, G. David Felt said:

Just saw the CFO of GM state that they have brought on additional ships to draw down their port inventories in South Korea, China, Canada and Mexico and will stuff new built auto's all over the US ahead of the Tariffs to ensure the ability to sell at a reasonable price new auto.

Dealerships need to plan for inventory bloat ahead of the tariff implementation.

Kia, Hyundai, Genesis had been using the port of Seattle to bring in their auto's that would get trucked up to Canada, now they are going direct to Canada.

All they have to do is put the Hellcat in the Wrangler for $130,000 and then all of a sudden that $60k Wrangler with a 4-cylinder looks like a smoking deal.

[Drew Dowdell]

On 2/23/2025 at 7:50 AM, Robert Hall said:

The Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer hasn't done well against GM's big SUVs.

I've driven the Wagoneers back to back with the Tahoe and now pre-refresh Escalade and there is no comparison in handling.  Don't get me wrong, the Wagoneers ride great, but so do the GMs. But in terms of handling, the Wagoneers are an old Buick Roadmaster wagon with bad shocks and the GMs are a new Chevy SS sedan.  The high-range Ford Expeditions and the Navigator probably are the best middle road for my taste, especially the Lincoln. They have the soft Roadmaster ride without being unstable like the Jeeps.

 

On 2/23/2025 at 7:50 AM, Robert Hall said:

And they don't have a replacement yet for the Cherokee..the last Cherokee was too close to the Compass in size..

They have the new Wagoneer S which we sat in and really liked, and the new Recon. I think those are the spiritual successors to the Cherokee until the new one arrives, though the Wagoneer S is $$$$

[Robert Hall]

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

 

 

They have the new Wagoneer S which we sat in and really liked, and the new Recon. I think those are the spiritual successors to the Cherokee until the new one arrives, though the Wagoneer S is $$$$

Wagoneer S IMO should been branded as a Grand Cherokee EV, it looks to be around the same size and similar profile to the WL GC 2-row...

[Drew Dowdell]

7 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Wagoneer S IMO should been branded as a Grand Cherokee EV, it looks to be around the same size and similar profile to the WL GC 2-row...

It's shorter height and narrower. I'm not sure it has any direct size correlation to an existing product.  They could have called it a Liberty.

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

It's shorter height and narrower. I'm not sure it has any direct size correlation to an existing product.  They could have called it a Liberty.

Just seems odd being named Wagoneer since it looks nothing like the much larger Wagoneer..probably part of their ill-fated attempt to separate Wagoneer from Jeep as a sub-brand...(like Land Rover and Range Rover).

Edited Monday at 04:58 PM by Robert Hall

[Drew Dowdell]

Just now, Robert Hall said:

Just seems odd being named Wagoneer since it looks nothing like the much larger Wagoneer..probably part of their ill-fated attempt to separate Wagoneer from Jeep as a brand...(like Land Rover and Range Rover).

That's exactly what they were doing.  You'll notice on the big Wagoneers, there is no mention of the name Jeep. Up until recently, Wagoneer had its own website. These days, Wagoneer.com just redirects to Jeep.com.

[oldshurst442]

19 hours ago, smk4565 said:

In true Stellantis fashion, they should make the Compass about $55k to compete with the Land Rover Evoque so that when they don't sell they can discount then $13k like the Dodge Hornet and still not sell any.

All they have to do is put the Hellcat in the Wrangler for $130,000 and then all of a sudden that $60k Wrangler with a 4-cylinder looks like a smoking deal.

 

You are not very far with that insight.  Stellantis has reneged the death of the Hellcat as they promised they'll do.  They kept the Durango Hellcat for one more year.  And for EXACTLY the reasons you stated. 

[smk4565]

4 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

You are not very far with that insight.  Stellantis has reneged the death of the Hellcat as they promised they'll do.  They kept the Durango Hellcat for one more year.  And for EXACTLY the reasons you stated. 

Durango sales were down 14% in 2024.  Granted the model is as old as dirt, but it was the only Hellcat model they had and the sales keep dropping.  And I suspect like 5% of Durango sales are Hellcats, and the majority are V6 rental cars or police package.

[oldshurst442]

14 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Durango sales were down 14% in 2024.  Granted the model is as old as dirt, but it was the only Hellcat model they had and the sales keep dropping.  And I suspect like 5% of Durango sales are Hellcats, and the majority are V6 rental cars or police package.

Gasoline prices may also play a factor?

In Quebec, gasoline prices have stabilized.  I am not sure, but Im thinking that many parts of the US, gasoline prices have soared since 2024.  A hefty SUV like a Durango with thirsty V6 and V8 engines are a death knell to such vehicles. And yes, in the US as well.  

[smk4565]

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Gasoline prices may also play a factor?

In Quebec, gasoline prices have stabilized.  I am not sure, but Im thinking that many parts of the US, gasoline prices have soared since 2024.  A hefty SUV like a Durango with thirsty V6 and V8 engines are a death knell to such vehicles. And yes, in the US as well.  

Gas prices have gone up a little in the US this year but once the tariffs go into place and summer fuel blend and summer demand come in, I am sure gas prices will shoot up.  

[oldshurst442]

27 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Gas prices have gone up a little in the US this year but once the tariffs go into place and summer fuel blend and summer demand come in, I am sure gas prices will shoot up.  

Yup.

And wait until all other product related tariffs other than oil of jut 10% hit.  

Its not just Durnagos with V8s that will get hit.  Stellantis in general along with Ford and GM.  Other car manufactures too like BMW and VW.   But at least those guys have Europe to sell to.  GM and Ford are done for.   I feel like the catastrophe that WILL come to   US automanufacturing is not talked about. And its a mistake to downplay what these Trump proposed tariffs not only on Canada's and Mexico's raw materials are going to do, but Trump is going to tariff European materials too.  Problem is, the world is getting ready to isolate the US fromm EVERYTHING.  

But, this being an automotive forum, an enthusiast one at that:  Hey!  We can STILL buy a Hellcat Dodge product. Aint that great???!!!  

[smk4565]

Just imagine a Jeep Compass with an extra 25% tariff on it.  Sounds like a sales winner.

[Robert Hall]

On 2/24/2025 at 5:50 PM, oldshurst442 said:

 

You are not very far with that insight.  Stellantis has reneged the death of the Hellcat as they promised they'll do.  They kept the Durango Hellcat for one more year.  And for EXACTLY the reasons you stated. 

When the Charger EV fails hard which I suspect it will, will they offer a Hellcat version to try to get back buyers? 

[oldshurst442]

45 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

When the Charger EV fails hard which I suspect it will, will they offer a Hellcat version to try to get back buyers? 

 

I too, feel like the Charger EV is DOA.  I am not even sure if the inline 6 will be any more of a seller either.  At this point, since Tavares quit and he was the one opposed to the V8s, yeah, it wouldnt be a bad idea to shoehorn a Hellcat one in now.  We laugh at that, because its that absurd, but it is what has made Dodge a comeback the last 15 years. And its the Hellcat engine that has made Stellantis money hand over fist.  While an inline 6 twin turboed to make 500 some odd horsepower in the Charger would make it a fantastic muscle coupe and sedan, the mouth breathers that buy these things want their V8 Hemis.  

Let it be known that I am NOT a mouth breather as I breathe through my mouth heavily, LITERALLY, every time I sees a V8 Challenger... 

I am talking about the OTHER mouth breathers out there of course... 

[oldshurst442]

59 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Just imagine a Jeep Compass with an extra 25% tariff on it.  Sounds like a sales winner.

Stellantis in North America is done fer, tariffs or not.

Ford and GM are almost done when those tariffs hit and are going to be done if those tariffs last a year long. 

All other OEMS that build their cars in Mexico to sell in the US are going to have a rotten year as well. At least Europeans will stick together and try to screw the US and thiose European OEMS will have a fightin' chance to survive.

The real winner will be Chinese car makers and their EVs.  They WILL flood the world market when the tariff war ends... 

[smk4565]

2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

When the Charger EV fails hard which I suspect it will, will they offer a Hellcat version to try to get back buyers? 

They could try that, but it would be expensive (even more so with a 25% tariff since it is made in Canada) and The Mustang had it's worst sales year in history in 2024 despite being a new model and the Camaro and Challenger being out of the picture.  I read they sold over 70,000 Camaros in 2016 and it was down to 5,000 last year as they closed up shop.   There is no market for these cars.  I am sure they could sell a few thousand Hellcat Chargers, but is that even profitable?  And I agree that the EV Charger will fail, the early test drives make it seem like the product is a bit half baked and they are too expensive.

[smk4565]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

Stellantis in North America is done fer, tariffs or not.

Ford and GM are almost done when those tariffs hit and are going to be done if those tariffs last a year long. 

All other OEMS that build their cars in Mexico to sell in the US are going to have a rotten year as well. At least Europeans will stick together and try to screw the US and thiose European OEMS will have a fightin' chance to survive.

The real winner will be Chinese car makers and their EVs.  They WILL flood the world market when the tariff war ends... 

Agreed.  All the low cost cars are made in Mexico, the Civic, Rav4 and CRV are made in Canada so you hit 3 of the best sellers hard.  Stellantis is screwed for sure, they have a lot of Canadian production and they already have a price problem.  GM and Ford will be weakened when the dust settles.  

And the Chinese will be the winner, I doubt any of the legacy car companies will be able to hold them off.   I just read today how Porsche is struggling in China because their cars lack the tech and performance of some of these Chinese EV's.  If Porsche who builds great cars is falling behind, what chance does Nissan, Ford or Chevy have?  

[G. David Felt]

@smk4565 @Robert Hall @oldshurst442

Pathetic how the Charger EV had to go up against the low end rather than the Tesla S Plaid.

Pathetic the fake engine sound, rather they just be the silent monsters they are, but one would have thought they would have had the Daytona going up against a Tesla S Plaid with a tuned Daytona being able to beat it, but no it has to lose to the Tesla Y. Sad.

[oldshurst442]

3 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Agreed.  All the low cost cars are made in Mexico, the Civic, Rav4 and CRV are made in Canada so you hit 3 of the best sellers hard.  Stellantis is screwed for sure, they have a lot of Canadian production and they already have a price problem.  GM and Ford will be weakened when the dust settles.  

And the Chinese will be the winner, I doubt any of the legacy car companies will be able to hold them off.   I just read today how Porsche is struggling in China because their cars lack the tech and performance of some of these Chinese EV's.  If Porsche who builds great cars is falling behind, what chance does Nissan, Ford or Chevy have?  

 You forgot to mention the Japanese car makers.  Toyota might be able to weather out the tariffs, but Honda is also finished. Mazda.  

Hyundai/KIA might be the only ones to come out OK.  All others are toast. 

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Stellantis in North America is done fer, tariffs or not.

Ford and GM are almost done when those tariffs hit and are going to be done if those tariffs last a year long. 

All other OEMS that build their cars in Mexico to sell in the US are going to have a rotten year as well. At least Europeans will stick together and try to screw the US and thiose European OEMS will have a fightin' chance to survive.

The real winner will be Chinese car makers and their EVs.  They WILL flood the world market when the tariff war ends... 

Kia, Hyundai and Genesis build their EVs now in the U.S. and many ICE models, they have already stated they will move the rest of their production to the U.S. over the next 18 months. They want the business and market share and I think they will hurt the Japanese, European, Ford and GM on top of taking away the market from Tesla.

Hyundai only makes the Tucson and Accent in Mexico, everything else in the U.S.

Kia make Reo and Forte in Mexico for North American Market.

Genesis makes all their auto's in Korea and the U.S. for global markets.

[oldshurst442]

6 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Kia, Hyundai and Genesis build their EVs now in the U.S. and many ICE models, they have already stated they will move the rest of their production to the U.S. over the next 18 months. They want the business and market share and I think they will hurt the Japanese, European, Ford and GM on top of taking away the market from Tesla.

Yes exactly.

I thought so about Hyundai and KIA being in a better place to withstand US tariffs.   

I am niot so sure though, if they could compete with an onslaught of cheaply priced Chinese EVs.  The US car market is one thing, but the Chinese OEMs will flood the WORLD with their cheaply priced EVs.  And eventually, these EVs will make it to US shores, tariffs or not.  

But by that time, I fear a US civil war.  

25% tariffs on aluminium alone is said to cost 100 000 US jobs

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/alcoa-warns-trumps-aluminum-tariff-could-cost-100000-us-jobs-2025-02-25/

 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-alcoa-warns-100000-us-jobs-at-risk-urging-tariff-exemption-for/#:~:text=American aluminum giant Alcoa Corp,tariffs on shipments from Canada.

 

Dont forget that Canada will have retalitory tariffs. And those will be targetted to Red States.  And dont forget that Europe will strike with some sort of economc stresses of its own ON the US if Trump targets MORE European targets.  25% tariffs on some raw materials ALSO target Europe. NOT only Canada...

The MAGA voters, as MUCH as they follow the cult leader Trump, some of them WILL turn on him.

And those mouth breathers own guns. LOTS of them.  What will Trump do?  Attempt to take those away from them/

Eithr way, I see lots of doom and gloom... 

 

 

[smk4565]

15 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

 You forgot to mention the Japanese car makers.  Toyota might be able to weather out the tariffs, but Honda is also finished. Mazda.  

Hyundai/KIA might be the only ones to come out OK.  All others are toast. 

Yeah, Toyota is really strong globally, and has a lot of cash, they can weather a storm.  Honda is screwed because their top 2 sellers are made in Canada, but they have a lot of US manufacturing.  

18 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

@smk4565 @Robert Hall @oldshurst442

Pathetic how the Charger EV had to go up against the low end rather than the Tesla S Plaid.

Pathetic the fake engine sound, rather they just be the silent monsters they are, but one would have thought they would have had the Daytona going up against a Tesla S Plaid with a tuned Daytona being able to beat it, but no it has to lose to the Tesla Y. Sad.

The Xaiomi SU7 smokes the Plaid all day long, and it outsold the Model 3 in China last year.  Tesla is starting to fall behind the Chinese, the Model S should be $45,000 and Model 3 at $29,000 to compete with what the Chinese have.  Tesla can't turn profit at those prices.  And Elon is scaring the customers away which doesn't help them either.

[G. David Felt]

11 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Yeah, Toyota is really strong globally, and has a lot of cash, they can weather a storm.  Honda is screwed because their top 2 sellers are made in Canada, but they have a lot of US manufacturing.  

The Xaiomi SU7 smokes the Plaid all day long, and it outsold the Model 3 in China last year.  Tesla is starting to fall behind the Chinese, the Model S should be $45,000 and Model 3 at $29,000 to compete with what the Chinese have.  Tesla can't turn profit at those prices.  And Elon is scaring the customers away which doesn't help them either.

Agree with you on the Chinese versus Tesla.

Toyota has cash, but like European, has FAILED in China and with Chinese exporting to Africa, South America, and Europe are falling behind in the sales. They are behind in EVs due to the idiot Chairman who says Hydrogen is the future. 

Japan economy is mostly Auto Driven with Exports to the U.S., Europe and other places on the planet. Japan is begging to be excluded from the Tariffs that take effect next week. I honestly do not see the Japan Auto Companies surviving in their current State, Toyota could end up like GM in only very Select markets with minimal products.