Jeep Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

August 14, 2008

Next Jeep Grand Cherokee to be "car-based"

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So is this the beginning of the end for Jeep? A car-based Grand Cherokee? Is that what Jeep buyers want?

Or is Cerberus banking on the fact that each year there are less and less true die-hard Jeep afficienados out there, and that sooner or later that number will be so miniscule it won't matter?

"The segment the Grand Cherokee competes in has seen some of the most decline (because of the) high gas prices," said Global Insight analyst Rebecca Lindland. "This new product will allow the consumer to keep all attributes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. They won't be able to navigate the Rubicon trail but they will get to the grocery store on less fuel."

Oh Lord, did I really read that? A real Jeep that can't do the Rubicon?

You know, it's all fine and dandy that all the other SUV pretenders are being designed to handle nothing tougher than shopping center parking lots, but must Jeep follow that path too? Unlike most SUVs out there Jeep has real off-road credibility, but if they go that route, you can kiss their stellar 60-plus-year reputation of being America's first and true off-roader goodby.

For the record, this is not about being unibody, as the Cherokee and and Grand Cherokee have always been unibody. And it's not about using IFS and IRS, as there are several really good off-road vehicles using IFS and IRS. No, this is about changing the mission of Jeep Grand Cherokee. No longer will it be a true dual-purpose on-off road vehicle, but instead it will be skewed heavily towards on-road abilities at the expense of its famous off-road heritage. So it looks like the Grand Cherokee will become just another CUV. Sad.

For the sake of the Grand Cherokee let's hope I'm dead wrong with this blog entry.

Full story here.

Permalink | Comments (9)
Posted by: Bob Holland August 14, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Jeep, SUVs

July 29, 2008

Jeep brand remains the crown jewel of Chrysler LLC

The one glimmering light at Chrysler LLC is Jeep. Despite the high gas prices and all the anti-SUV sentiment these days, the "brand" of Jeep remains strong--very strong. If Cerberus decides to unload Chrysler, Jeep is their ace in the hole.

"At this point, it's hard to say what positive value Chrysler has," said Gerald Meyers, chairman of the former American Motors Corp., which owned Jeep until Chrysler bought AMC in the late 1980s. "But Jeep is worth a lot -- it's the sole clear-cut jewel in their crown ... that can be isolated and sold as a unit, without being much concern if Chrysler survives or not."

Full story here.

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Posted by: Bob Holland July 29, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Chrysler, Jeep

July 4, 2008

A peek at future Chrysler truck plans

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How's a unibody replacement for the Dakota grab you? Or a BOF Jeep pickup? There's even a smaller pickup than the Dakota being studied. Yep, there's also a Ram hybrid in the works too, as well as a 1/2-ton diesel. Those are just some of the plans Chrysler LLC has in store down the road.

Also expect to see an integrated trailer brake controller for the new Ram 1500 next spring. This will also go into the completely redesigned 2010 HD Rams.

If you're left scratching you head as to why the Dakota replacement is going unibody, consider that the Honda Ridgeline, with similar construction, is outselling the current Dakota so far this year.

Full story here.

Permalink | Comments (3)
Posted by: Bob Holland July 4, 2008, 10:14 AM
Categories: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

June 30, 2008

New rumors of a Chrysler LLC sale surface

Once again rumors of a Chrysler LLC sale have surfaced. An annual study of the U.S. automotive product pipeline says Chrysler's lack of future product plans is an indication of a near-future breakup or sale by the automaker's majority-owner, Cerberus Capital Management.

"Chrysler's product pipeline severely lags the industry on a number of key metrics, which is an ominous sign for its market share," Merrill Lynch's recently issued Car Wars report said. "We believe that this is an active decision by new owners to rationalize the product portfolio in advance of a breakup/sale."

The above image that was taken at a recent Chrysler press event at the Chelsea Proving Grounds displaying 2009 models...

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