While automakers of the world are clambering over each other to get a slice of the lucrative dual-cab ute market, Jeep might be heading in the opposite direction and exiting the space.
The brand announced the Gladiator dual-cab would exit Europe after a short run which began in 2021, with a final FarOut edition to hit the market to see it off.
In Europe, the Gladiator is only offered with a 190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre diesel V6 sourced from Stellantis' Italian diesel subsidiary, VM Motori, something the Australian market has called out for but never received. Instead, the truck is exclusively offered here with a 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre V6. Meanwhile, Jeep announced in America that the discontinuation of the European Gladiator would mean the end of the diesel engine option globally.
Speaking to CarsGuide a Jeep Australia representative said: "We're still continuing with Gladiator in Australia - we'll have more information to share on that shortly."
So stay tuned for more on the future of Jeep's ute locally.
Only two grades of the dual-cab are offered Down Under, a $78,250 before on-road costs base Night Eagle, or a $87,250 top-spec Rubicon. The Gladiator has the unenviable position of the slowest-selling 4x4 dual-cab under $100,000, having moved just 583 units over the course of 2023 so far.
The next up on the list is Korea's SsangYong Musso, which has moved 2584 units this year off the back of keen pricing and strong availability, while the top-seller in the segment is the Ford Ranger, which accounts for 26.3 percent of the segment, or a whopping 33,829 units.
Jeep Australia is also in the process of electrifying its line-up, with the recent confirmation of the Compass 4xe plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid, as well as the all-electric Avenger and the Grand Cherokee 4xe.
While the Avenger will come Down Under, Jeep Australia is yet to be drawn on price, as the small SUV packs a 115kW/260Nm front-mounted electric motor and a 54kWh battery pack good for a 400km range. If that sounds familiar, it's because the same layout is available in the Peugeot e-2008 (from $59,990 in Australia), which also falls under the Stellantis umbrella.
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