--- title: "The Prospect of a Next-Gen Jeep Gladiator Has Never Looked Bleaker" date: "2024-11-18" modified: "2024-11-18" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-prospect-of-a-next-gen-jeep-gladiator-has-never-looked-bleaker" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "gladiator" - "Jeep" - "pickup" --- # The Prospect of a Next-Gen Jeep Gladiator Has Never Looked Bleaker ![Jeep Gladiator in red.]() *\Stellantis\* Jeep is resorting to ever-more-desperate measures in its quest to keep Gladiator sales out of [complete free-fall](). The midsize pickup hit its sales peak during the height of the pandemic and has been in steep decline ever since, with both inventories and incentives swelling in 2024. Now, according to *[Automotive News]()*, Jeep has decided to cut production, seemingly leaving the possibility of a second-generation model in limbo. Starting in January, Stellantis will cut a shift from its Toledo South Assembly Plant, resulting in layoffs of more than 1,000 workers. The local UAW president told *AN* that adding the hybrid 4xe to the lineup would likely be a boon for interest and sales, but the electrified model [has not yet entered production](). Union members told *The Detroit News* that the mounting [layoffs have begun to impact morale](). Gladiator sales peaked at 89,712 in 2021, when COVID-related supply chain issues choked off parts availability for America's top-selling trucks. With inventories depleted, customers who needed to buy a pickup often had no choice but to buy used or seek alternatives. Through the quarter ending in August of 2024, Jeep has moved fewer than 33,000 Gladiators. Jeep's off-road-ready, top-optional pickup defies the utilitarian approach most expect from smaller trucks, and with those unique features comes a uniquely premium price tag. The base Gladiator is $5,000 more expensive than the cheapest available Ford Ranger and can be optioned to cost as much as its competitors' upmarket halo models, such as the [Ford Ranger Raptor]() and GM's DSSV-enhanced off-road twins, the [Chevrolet Colorado ZR2]() and GMC Canyon AT4X. ![2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X]() **Stellantis** With the 4xe arriving next year, upmarket variants of the Gladiator will get a shot in the arm, but a pricey, electrified variant can't be expected to attract buyers who simply want something inexpensive and relatively utilitarian. Ford's compact Maverick pickup—of which it has already sold nearly 110,000 this year—comes in at a base price more than 30% cheaper than the Gladiator's. At this rate, will there even be a next-gen Gladiator? Stellantis [shut down rumors]() years ago that it would bring a cheaper, Ram-branded variant of the midsize pickup to market to help shore up volume and spread the costs of the hybrid Jeep-Ram platform that underpins it. The [smaller Rampage]() won't offer any help with the latter. Perhaps there's hope for a new Dakota yet? *Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()