[Tombinator]

On today's Autoline After Hours, Art Anderson, chief engineer for the Renegade was interviewed on the first half of the show. He talked quite a bit about the Renegade and the 500X.

I watched the episode live and even had one of my questions answered that I posted in the chatroom that was live during the show.

I asked about the American parts content in the Renegade, and learned that the Tigershark and 9 speed are both made here (engine in Dundee, MI and transmission in Kokomo, IN), shipped to Italy and then returned here under the hood of a Renegade. Also, that all the 9 speeds that are being used worldwide are made in Kokomo.

I used the same handle as here on the forum, so see the host give a little eye roll when he said my name. My starring role comes about minute 19 of the episode.

There's lots of cool (or what I think is cool) "insider" stuff in the episode, so you might want to watch.

Here's the link:

http://www.autoline.tv/journal/?cat=1513

They're also normally posted to youtube within a day as well:

https://www.youtube.com/user/AutolineDetroit

One of their latest videos, shows how the Renegade 4wd system works, including what makes the Trailhawk different from other Renegades:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OotR_HLSIsw

 

[Reg]

Seems like the main point was that FCA is a global brand now.

 

[PAK325]

He definitely dodged the direct question about EPA ratings over 30 mpg for the 4x4...

Disappointing.

 

[bwbike]

. . . One of their latest videos, shows how the Renegade 4wd system works, including what makes the Trailhawk different from other Renegades:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OotR_HLSIsw

Interesting. I would consider a Trailhawk if I could get one with a manual transmission.

 

[djeffery]

Great links! Thanks.

 

[redbuckeye]

Great find! Thank you. He did seem to hedge a bit on fuel economy. But we'll know soon enough.

 

[Tombinator]

Seems like the main point was that FCA is a global brand now.

I agree that Jeep is really trying to sell that that they didn't take any "Jeepness" out though they're building the Renegade in Italy (maybe they're still trying to buy it themselves?). Honestly, after listening to this interview, its becoming clear, to me at least, that the target market for the Renegade is not the USA; it's every where else. I lived in Europe for a while, and seeing the size and capacity of the Renegade it's really well suited for European streets and tastes. I kind of like European cars anyway, so the Renegade might work for me as well. But that focus on elsewhere means I think we won't get many major revisions or updates that focuses on the American market, nor will they try super hard to bring in some of the lost content like those sweet led or xenon headlights, a diesel or a glass roof. I mean 16 different engine and transmission choices worldwide and only two here?

He definitely dodged the direct question about EPA ratings over 30 mpg for the 4x4...

Disappointing.

Yep. Did you see the part of the interview where he *almost* says "front wheel drive" but caught himself juuuust the the last second and said "4x2".

 

[bwbike]

. . . Honestly, after listening to this interview, its becoming clear, to me at least, that the target market for the Renegade is not the USA; it's every where else. . . .

But if the Renegade really takes off in the U. S. A., FCA will absolutely market the car here very heavily. Like any company, it's all about the money.

 

[Hmmm!!!]

Did anyone notice that the guy from Jeep started out the interview by saying that Renegades move from the port to the dealerships starting next week? Really good news!

 

[Reg]

I agree that the U.S. is the secondary market, it is obvious in the size and styling. While the Renegade almost works for me, the overall "global platform" effort is definitely diluting traditional American tastes. Look what happened to the Escape, which used to resemble a scaled-down larger Ford SUV. The 2013+ Escape replacement (European Kuga) looks like a pregnant Focus hatch rather than the namesake SUV it once was.