2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited

Chrysler recently announced that they are bringing back the Jeep Cherokee, but in name only. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be the replacement for the Jeep Liberty. Rugged isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when we see these pics. What do you think?

2011 Grand Cherokee hits the Rubicon Trail

 egmCarTech is sharing some cool pictures of a group of Jeep Engineers tackling the Rubicon Trail with the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee guided by some folks from Jeep Jamboree USA.

To check out all of the awesome pics, click here.

What do you think?  Still rugged after all of these years or too fancy for off-roading?  We personally can’t see taking a $31,000 plus vehicle on the Rubicon Trail, but that’s just us.

Chrysler Group’s plans for Jeep through 2014

From Automotive News:

“By 2014, 12 nameplates from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram will have heavy Fiat influence. They will either be developed on Fiat Group platforms or rebadged and imported from the Fiat Group.”

Here’s what they have in store for Jeep:

“Subcompact SUV: A small SUV is planned in 2013, based on the platform for the next generation Fiat Panda Cross.

Patriot: Minor exterior and interior changes are planned for 2010. Production ends in 2012.

Compass: Minor exterior and interior changes are slated for 2010. The Compass will be dropped in 2012.

Compact crossover: The unnamed crossover will be developed on a Fiat Group platform. Sales begin in 2013.

Wrangler: A new interior is scheduled for 2010. A new powertrain will be offered in 2011.

Liberty: Minor cosmetic and interior changes are planned for 2010. The redesigned Liberty debuts in 2013, based on a Fiat Group platform.

Commander: U.S. production ends late in 2010. The Commander may be assembled outside North America for export markets.

Grand Cherokee: The redesigned Grand Cherokee and next-generation Mercedes-Benz full-size SUVs are linked at the hip. Vehicle development started when Daimler owned Chrysler. Component sharing is expected to continue for several years. The redesigned Grand Cherokee debuts in May 2010.”

To see what’s in store for Chrysler & Dodge Models, read the full article here.

 

Chrysler bringing in Fiat, Alfa Romeo. Dropping several Jeep and Dodge models.

From Motor Authority:

“The Fiat-Chrysler partnership has been brewing since well before the economic meltdown and federal loan bonanza of late 2008, but it’s still taking shape as the automakers find ways to work to their mutual benefit. The combined companies’ new CEO Sergio Marchionne is set to reveal the future plans for both Fiat and Chrysler in just a week’s time but we already have much of the details on hand.

According to people briefed on the plans, Alfa Romeo is set to return as a volume player in 2012. Fiat will be here too, although the only model planned is the 500 minicar, which should in early 2011…

Don’t feel too bad Fiat isn’t coming here in full force. Chrysler will introduce several new models that rely on Fiat platforms and technology. The first of these will be a new mid-sized sedan from Chrysler based on Fiat’s C-Evo platform, followed by new hatchback and a compact Jeep. There will also be redesigned versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300 arriving as early as next year.

Several models will be dropped from Chrysler’s U.S. lineup as well. These will include a number of Dodge models, such as the Caliber, Nitro, Avenger, and several Jeep models, too, such as the Commander, Compass, and Patriot. Other vehicles getting the axe include Chrysler’s PT Cruiser and Sebring.”

Full article here.

Diesel Jeeps? Chrysler Group’s plan to be released on 11/4/09

From the Sacremento Bee:

“On Nov. 4, we’ll get our first look at Chrysler’s future.

That’s the day Fiat plans to reveal its 5-year plan for the Chrysler Group, which includes Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler and effectively controls the automaker…

Fiat has a strong motivation to get Americans to buy more diesels as an alternative to hybrids, in which it has little expertise. In addition, the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs Chrysler built during its alliance with Daimler have a loyal following.

Watch for Fiat to promote its diesels for Jeeps and Dodge and Chrysler passenger cars.”

To read the article in it’s entirety click here.

Chrysler to suspend Jeep production.

From the Wall Street Journal;

“Chrysler Group LLC will suspend production of its popular Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited vehicles due to a shortage in parts from an unidentified supplier.

Chrysler will idle its Toledo Supplier Park facility in Ohio for one week starting Monday, the company said Friday without disclosing more details. The Wrangler has been one of Chrysler’s best-performing vehicles in terms of sales for the year.

This is the second time Chrysler has changed its production schedule because of a parts issue. The auto maker also delayed adding a second shift to an Illinois plant by more than a month citing “continued stresses” on its parts suppliers.

Friday’s announcement underscores previous reports that tension is growing between Chrysler and its suppliers. In addition to Chrysler’s problem with shortages, some of the smaller parts makers are hesitating to commit to new vehicle projects, according to people familiar with the matter.”

Full article here.

Chrysler upping production to meet increasing demand!

You knew it had to be coming.  It’s Summer and people want Jeep Wranglers.  Unfortunately, after Chrysler’s Chapter 11 proceedings, new JK body-style Wranglers are tough to come by.  As I look out the window at the Jeep Dealership next door, I can count exactly ZERO new Wranglers on the lot.  What’s a Jeeper in need of a new Wrangler to do?  In the first good news from Jeep in a while, Bloomberg.com is reporting that Chrysler is boosting 2nd-half production to fulfill demand. 

“Chrysler plans to run two plants on overtime and is operating a third shift at another factory to restock dwindled inventory on dealer lots…Chrysler has scheduled overtime at its Dodge Ram truck plant in Warren, Michigan, and a plant in Toledo, Ohio, that makes the Jeep Wrangler sport-utility vehicle.”

So hold on just a little bit longer, folks.  Hopefully we’ll have a whole fleet of new Wranglers heading to a dealership near you (that made the cut) faster than you can say Sergio Marchionne!

 

We carry all kinds of Wrangler Accessories for your JK’s (as well as YJ’s &TJ’s), so check us out for Jeep Tire Covers, Wrangler Floor Mats, Jeep Grab Handles, and all kinds of other cool Jeep Stuff at www.JeepWorld.com!

Chrysler appoints new head of design for Jeep Brand

From Business Week:

“A recent shuffle of Chrysler Group’s design team could be just what the company needs to effect a quick turnaround after bankruptcy, industry analysts say.  The automaker has promoted three men from within to head design for its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands.”

“Mark Allen, 46, was promoted to head of Jeep design from his previous position of chief of Dodge and Jeep truck design.

Jeep has the most going for it in terms of design, analysts say. Allen’s prime directive will be to preserve and evolve the iconic Jeep look that makes the Wrangler a continued sales success relative to other models in the line-up. “Don’t try to make Jeep what it’s not,” Hossack says. “Don’t be selling these little crossover SUVs that won’t go over anything other than wet grass. Make a Jeep a Jeep.”

Allen is very familiar with Jeep’s design heritage, having worked on the 2007 Liberty and 2006 Wrangler. And he certainly has experience with trucks that can tackle more than a damp lawn, after helping craft the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2008 Dodge Dakota.”

Click here to read the full article.

Jeep Wrangler demand high, but current supplies are limited.

The Toledo Blade is ran a story yesterday about supply vs. demand in regards to the Jeep Wrangler.  Due to a 7 week shutdown on plants that produce the iconic vehicle, dealers are having a difficult time keeping up with customer requests.

“Jerry Snodgrass probably could sell a dozen Jeep Wranglers today – that is, if he had any to sell. But the general manager of Baumann Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Fremont is in the same predicament as many other Jeep dealers nationwide. That is, plenty of demand for the Toledo-built Wranglers but few, if any, to sell following the seven-week shutdown of vehicle production by Chrysler Group LLC. “I am completely out of Wranglers. I’ve got a salesman looking up at me right now asking me, ‘When are we going to get more Wranglers?’•” Mr. Snodgrass said yesterday. The company announced yesterday, as other automakers revealed their June vehicle sales figures, that last month it sold 4,810 Wranglers, down 28 percent from the same month last year. But sales may have slumped because dealers ran out of Wranglers. Chrysler had just a 38-day supply of Wranglers as of June 1, compared with a typical industry average of 60 days or more. Sales of the Toledo-built Jeep Liberty, by contrast, were 3,815 units last month, off 24 percent from a year ago but with a more plentiful 65-day inventory supply. For the first half of the year, Wrangler sales are up 5 percent from a year ago, while Liberty sales are down 42 percent.”

Full article here.

Time for Chrysler to crank up production and get the people their Jeeps.  Let’s face it, Jeep is the strongest of the Chrysler line-up and will continue to do well as the economy climes slowly out of the recession.
Check out our all new Jeep Wrangler Wheels section for awesome Mopar and Rugged Ridge Wheels.

Jeep Jamboree 2009 Schedule

Cullman Alabama   May 28-30   Cullman, AL

Canyon de Chelly  June 4-6  Chinle, AZ

Ultimate Adventure   June 13-21   Murphy, NC

Drummond Island   June 18-20  Drummond Island, MI

Penn’s Woods   June 18-20   Bradford, PA

Showshoe Mountain  July 9-11    Snowshoe, WV

Killington   July 16-18   Killington, VT

Northwoods – Mole Lake   July 23-25   Crandon, WI

Rubicon Trail  August 13-16   The Rubicon Trail, CA

Big Horn Mountains   August 20-22   Dayton, WY

Mark A. SmithRubicon Trail Adventure (2-3 day)  August 27-29/27-30  The Rubicon Trail, CA

Texas Spur Fall   September 10-12   Llano, TX

Ouray   September 17-19   Ouray, CO

Catskill Mountains   September 24-26   Monticello, NY

Black Hills   September 24-26  Deadwood, SD

Maine Mountains   October 1-3   Bethel, ME

French Lick   October 8-10   French Lick, IN

Appalachian   October 8-10   Murphy, NC

Borrego Springs   October 15-17   Borrego Springs, CA

Gateway to the Cumberlands   October 15-17   Williamsburg, KY

Moab   October 22-24   Moab, UT

Ouachita   October  22-24   Hot Springs, AR

For more information on this year’s Jeep Jamborees click here.