Two new pieces of truck news, and a hint about a new subcompact car, have come from Chrysler, today.

First, the Michigan-based company has announced that the next generation of their Jeep Grand Cherokee (to be released for the 2010 model year) will feature a fuel-efficient V6 engine and unibody construction. Details beyond that are cloaked in mystery, hidden behind the code name "Phoenix" said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Vice Chairman, to the press on Wednesday.

Chrysler intends to spend nearly $2 billion to refit its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit in order to produce the new Grand Cherokee, as well as other as-yet-undisclosed products to be based on the same platform.

According to LaSorda, Chrysler teamed up with Mercedes to develop the new platform, but any Mercedes products developed from the joint-project would be distinct from the Chrysler-branded units, and carry the Mercedes marque.

The redesigned Detroit plant will be flexible enough for multiple vehicle models to be constructed on the same assembly line, LaSorda explained, adding that the expansion would increase the facility by 285,000 square feet.

The current Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Jeep Commander are currently built at that plant. In a separate announcement, LaSorda revealed that the Dodge Ram pickup would feature a lower price tag for 2009, dropping the MSRP from $23,050 (for the 2008 model with similar features) to $22,170.

In his statement, LaSorda said, "We've already announced that the light-duty Ram will soon add a clean diesel and hybrid powertrain choice."

During a luncheon briefing with reporters that took place after the press conference, LaSorda also shared the news that Chery Automobile is making numerous engineering changes to a small car being jointly developed with Chrysler.

He elaborated, "Our engineers are estimating that it can be ready by the end of the year," LaSorda said. "We'll see. We are not going to put a nameplate on it until we can rest assured that it meets our standards."

It is expected that this car, a subcompact, will be ready for sale in 2009.