Motor Trend
May 25, 2017
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May 25, 2017
General Motors on a roll
GM will replace 84 percent of its lineup by the 2021 model year, second only to Toyota in its ambitions. The 2018 model year was heavy on crossovers with the Regal hatch and TourX wagon thrown in for good measure. Still to come for 2019 is the return of the Chevrolet Blazer, Cadillac XT4 crossover, a small Cadillac CT2 sedan, the mid-engine Corvette, and new large pickups. For the 2020 model year, Cadillac continues to expand with the XT3 small crossover as well as the XT6 and a CT4 sedan, and a new Buick Encore, heavy-duty pickups, and the large SUVs (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade) are on the docket as well. For 2021, watch out for a new Trax/Cadillac XT1, GMC Jimmy SUV, Cadillac CT10 big sedan as well as a smaller CT8, new Chevy Sonic, and Volt. Murphy says GM’s large trucks and crossovers position the automaker to gain some share and maintain strong pricing.
Ford’s upcoming products
Ford may be light on new products for the 2018 model year, as it’s replacing only 25 percent of its lineup, but it has a couple of aces up its sleeve with the 2018 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. You could argue they should have come sooner to take advantage of the current SUV craze and lower fuel prices—Murphy said they could generate $1 billion—but coming later this year the two SUVs are still poised to challenge the stranglehold General Motors has had on the large SUV segment.
For 2019, look for a new Explorer and companion Lincoln Aviator, the EcoSport, Ranger, and Focus. Ford is expected to update its massively important F-150 in 2020 as well as launch a new Escape/Lincoln MKC, the Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ, the Bronco, and another crossover. The 2021 lineup should include the overdue electric crossover with a range of more than 200 miles, a Lincoln flagship sedan, Mustang coupe and convertible, and a coupe for Lincoln.
FCA on tap
FCA is coming off a long product lull relative to the rest of the industry, but is back in the game with the 2018 Wrangler and 2019 Wrangler pickup*and*new Rams coming for 2019 followed a year later by the heavy-duty pickups. Look for a new 2019 Grand Cherokee, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and Maserati Gran Turismo. For 2020, FCA could launch a new Dodge Durango SUV and another Dodge SUV called the Bison as well as the long-awaited return of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and production of the Chrysler Portal electric minivan. That would be followed by the return of the Chrysler Aspen large CUV for 2021 and a new Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Challenger coupe and Charger sedan, and the Maserati Ghibli sedan and Alfieri coupe. “FCA has great cadence as long as they can fund it,” Murphy said.
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