http://www.allpar.com/corporate/chrysler-group/five-year-plan.htmlI was surprised how much growth there has been in sales of Dodge vehicles (Jeep are fairly consistent in numbers, perhaps growing slightly, and representing on average 45% of Chrysler group sales):
Concerning items for me
:
In 2013 Patriot, Compass, and Liberty will be replaced by vehicles “developed from Fiat platforms” which we are promised will still have the Jeep DNA — small SUV, C-size SUV, Liberty replacement. [Allpar analysts are not optimistic about these vehicles living up to past Jeep off-road standards.
<snip>The shift from truck to car based SUVs is growing. All Jeeps must have certain aspects (grille, short overhang, trapezoid wheel-arches, functional interior, open-air concepts, visibility, durable materails, handling in bad weather, advanced four wheel drive, and towing capacity.) Jeep Wrangler must also have excellent off-road characteristics but it appears that off-roadworthiness will not be demanded of all Jeeps.
Frankly the Wrangler and the new Grand Cherokee are the ones I would have bought anyway, the Liberty (known as the Cherokee here, but they didn't dare call that rounded and softened thing a Cherokee in the US) and the smaller Patriot (not my cup of tea but 15k for a new one is a bargain vehicle) and without modifications the larger Commander are all pretty average (at best) off road. Replacing these with car based platforms probably makes sense for 90% of buyers, but I do feel that poor off-road performance hurts the Jeep brand, whereas the softest Land/Range Rovers are ok off road so the image isn't too badly affected.
Wrangler will “retain its rightful spot as the icon for this legendary brand.”
Hopefully they'll leave it the f*** alone then with any changes being done by Jeep engineers as they see fit, not by Fiats accountants and "focus groups".
