Chrysler Limiting Grand Cherokee, Durango Colors for Paint Shop Upgrade

At some point or another, you’ve probably heard the Henry Ford quote, “You can have any color you want, as long as it’s black.” Well, to paraphrase old Henry, Chrysler is temporarily telling Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango owners that they can get any color they want, as long as it’s black, white, silver, or gray.

The reason for the moratorium on the more expressive colors is a change to the paint shop at the Jefferson North assembly plant that builds the vehicles, allowing for more complex colors after the change has been made. The plant will be closed for three weeks, beginning December 22, to facilitate the upgrade.

The majority of Grand Cherokee and Durango models sold are the four monochrome shades, with only 19 percent of Grand Cherokee and just 8 percent of Durango models painted a color other than black, white, silver, or gray. A similar paint shop upgrade was recently instituted at the Warren Assembly plant, which builds the Ram 1500.

Although not officially announced, it’s believed Jefferson North will build the forthcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a three-row SUV loosely based on the Durango, which itself is essentially a long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee with a more on-road-oriented suspension.

Source: Automotive News