Manoli Katakis 
“It’s going to be a very busy 2020,” American Expedition Vehicles marketing manager Matt Feldermann told MC&T during the company’s annual Open House event at its Wixom, Michigan facility. The high-end upfitter has been heavily working on its new line of Jeep and Ram offerings after a product lull in 2019.
“We’re in the period between platforms. All the stars aligned and we purposely diversified to try and we prevent (lack of new product),” Feldermann said. “We have JK–JL changeover, new Gladiator and Ram 1500 and Ram HD changeover all at the same time while we were doing Bison. Right now we’re busy on the back end but we’re not putting out vehicles right now because all that stuff is in (the last stage) of development.”
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison launched in the fall of 2018, and is the freshest product in the American Expedition Vehicles lineup. Its other conversions based on the JK Wrangler and fourth-generation Ram HD are vehicles that are no longer built by FCA, which in turn temporarily constricts AEV’s product bandwidth. But at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the world will get a preview of the next generation of AEV products.
“We’re bringing five,” said Feldermann. “JL Wrangler, Gladiator, the first prototype of our new Prospector, a full-body Bison with the high clearance flares – we’re bringing two of those.” This would be the first time AEV previewed a high clearance fenders on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison aside from the Tray Bed Concept from Overland Expo West.
“We never bring true show vehicles, but SEMA is always a little flashier,” Feldermann continued. “Flashy for us is unique paint, and maybe a custom part here and there. But all of the SEMA vehicles go right into service afterwards.”
“It may look a little fancier but it’s still the same vehicle you can go and take out” in relation to something a dealer can order.
Be sure to watch this space for product news surrounding American Expedition Vehicles as the 2019 SEMA show approaches.
