There’s no question that the Jeep that most exemplifies the brand, is the Wrangler. There are, however, multiple versions of the Wrangler, from bare-bones to fairly plush. If you had to point to one trim as being the most emblematic of what a Wrangler should be (as well as its cousin, the Gladiator), it would be the Rubicon. That’s because it adds the features to ensure that you and your Jeep can go anywhere. Apparently plenty of people like it, because the Rubicon has reached its own impressive milestone: 1,000,000 sales.
From One Trail To A Global Phenomenon
Those sales represent sales for both Wrangler and Gladiator Rubicon models, as well as sales globally, not just in the U.S. Still, that’s a mighty impressive number. The first Wrangler Rubicon launched for the 2003 model year in the U.S. That means the model has been on sale for 23 years, and that comes to an average of 43,478 Rubicons sold per year.
However, sales probably started out lower, increasing dramatically over the years, since Rubicon availability expanded over the years across multiple Wrangler body styles as well as the Gladiator pickup. Even if we assumed that Jeep only sold about 43,000 Rubicons in 2025 (which is almost certainly low), that would actually exceed the number of Gladiators sold in America in 2024 (42,123). The point is, people can’t get enough Rubicons.
Where It Started And Where It Is
The first Wrangler Rubicon, which took its name from a notorious northern California off-road trail, really set the template for all Rubicons of the future, even if it was a little basic and subtle by modern standards. The big attraction was the inclusion of factory locking front and rear differentials, which at the time were air lockers dependent on a small on-board air compressor. The rear differential also had a limited-slip functionality when not fully locked. The axles themselves were also upgraded from Dana 30 to Dana 44 units, and the final drive ratio was the shortest available 4.10:1. The transfer case also got a low range ratio of 4:1, giving the Rubicon an impressively low crawling speeds and wheel torque.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
Read the full article here
36 Comments
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
If AISC keeps dropping, this becomes investable for me.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Interesting update on An American Icon Just Achieved A Million-Vehicle Milestone. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
If AISC keeps dropping, this becomes investable for me.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
If AISC keeps dropping, this becomes investable for me.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on An American Icon Just Achieved A Million-Vehicle Milestone. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
I like the balance sheet here—less leverage than peers.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on An American Icon Just Achieved A Million-Vehicle Milestone. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
I like the balance sheet here—less leverage than peers.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.