The missing Mopars, 2024 edition

Stellantis has talked a good game about upcoming cars, but dealerships haven’t seen much actual action yet. The Wagoneer was put into production, ending years of speculation, but so far there has been no lower-cost Dodge version; some expect that to end up as the 2026 Durango. The midsize pickup coming to Belvidere isn’t expected until 2026-2027, for that matter. But what else do we expect?

The Dodge Charger hasn’t shown up yet; Mopar Insiders claimed a three-month delay, which seems to be a likely minimum. The Wagoneer S, which is on the same platform/architecture, was due to start production in Mexico by now, but seems to be wrapped up in the same delay—no surprise given they share electric drive modules (EDMs) and probably battery packs. The delay adds credibility to blaming the EV portion of the Charger.

The next-generation Jeep Cherokee, which shares a body with the Jeep Wagoneer S but is gasoline-powered, was never officially announced, so whether it’s late or not is hard to tell.

The Jeep Recon, an all-electric, bigger, somewhat less capable-in-top-form version of the Wrangler, has been pushed off the 2024 schedule and now seems to be in limbo. Some claim it’s being delayed to have a gasoline engine fitted.

The Jeep Compass would reasonably be expected to arrive as soon as the Brampton plant was finished; the company hasn’t been talking about it, presumably being too busy importing Chinese cars into Europe, getting rid of as many employees as it can, and investing in oversized compensation packages and aircraft companies, but the Peugeot 1.6 liter turbo engine’s production line is likely nearing completion or already finished. One would assume the company would want to put those engines into some sort of car. It may end up in the current Compass before the new one starts up.

Finally, we have the long-promised Promaster EV, which is actually available to order now in delivery van form, with a cargo van coming in 2025. It starts at a mildly stunning $77,000 in theory. This van is actually available from several dealers, according to the Ram web site, with 30 available across the United States at around $89,000. In fairness, a heavily used van, getting the single-digit mileage delivery vans often get, will pay for itself quickly in avoided maintenance and fuel compared with the gasoline versions.

Chrysler was apparently promised at least one new car “by 2025,” and the clock is ticking on those. If an electric Chrysler is actually nearly ready to go, it may be delayed by whatever is holding up the Charger; it’s better that Chrysler’s comeback be delayed than having a quality nightmare that drives away customers permanently. A delay is better than an unreliable car that becomes the butt of jokes—but some communication through the delay might help customers and followers have a better opinion of the company. A good company communicates well with its employees and customers, not just its stockholders.