With the launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee->ke936 upcoming, Jeep->ke40 might already be looking further into the future. The company hasn’t offered a pickup truck in North America since 1992, but they are currently debating the idea.

Mike Manley, president and CEO of Jeep expressed interest in a compact and midsize truck in an interview with PickupTrucks.com.

“That’s a segment that I’m very curious about. I know it’s had a rough time here in the U.S., but globally it still seems to be an important sector.”

“I know there’s a lot of elasticity in the Jeep brand globally, so we’re not limiting our search for new-vehicle opportunities or new markets,” Manley said.

Manley seemed very open about the idea of competing with the likes of the Ford Ranger->ke1060 and Toyota Tacoma->ke1042.

Yet, this isn’t the first time that trucks have been brought up by Jeep. Remember the Jeep Gladiator concept from 2005. When the press got their hands on it, the truck got nothing, but rave reviews.

Jeep won’t have it easy though. Chinese auto manufacturer Mahindra is already preparing a truck launch in the United States and, with rising gas prices, trucks might not be the best area to explore.

In any case, don’t expect any further comment from Jeep, just keep hoping that something will come along very soon.

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