Home - Automobile Reviews - Jeep Prepares to Double Its Lineup by Covering More Bases
Jeep Prepares to Double Its Lineup by Covering More Bases
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New 7-Occupant Commander, 4-Door Wrangler and Light-Duty Crossover Coming in 2006
Its not difficult to see that while DaimlerChrysler has experienced much success with its Jeep nameplate it isnt optimizing the legendary brands equity as much as it could. Simply delving into Jeeps recent past shows a variety of vehicles that it currently doesnt offer that may make sense in todays market.
A good example is the Comanche compact pickup truck. It suffered death due to slow sales, partly brought on by a lack of available configurations. When it came onto the scene in the mid80s, most alternative compact trucks were offering "extra cab" spaciousness, including additional cargo room behind the seats and in some cases jump seats for kids. The Comanche, despite being good looking, didnt offer enough  | | While Jeep is doing well, DaimlerChrysler isnt optimizing the brand as much as it could be. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
variety to consumers.
The same could be said of Jeeps J-series full-size pickup truck. While luxuriously appointed in top trim levels and quite stylish compared to its competitors, the truck never made it past the mid-80s as it didnt give truck buyers enough of what they wanted.
Could luxury pickups be part of Jeeps future? The brand has a long history of building pickup trucks, starting in 1947 with what was simply called the Jeep Truck. It was followed  | | If Jeep wanted to attempt another truck, it wouldnt have to look far for a great architecture to base it on. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
by the large FC 170 in 1957, the Gladiator in 1963, CJ-based Scrambler in 82 and finally the Comanche in 1986 - with the J Series running throughout the 70s and up until 1987. Jeep sure wouldnt have far to go if it wanted to borrow pickup truck architecture to reinvigorate a Jeep pickup truck model lineup, with the Dodge brands popular Dakota and Ram trucks serving the midsize and full-size markets. Such a move also wouldnt go against Jeeps "Trail Rated" brand philosophy, a minimum off-road capability that lets customers know that their Jeep, no matter which model, can go just about anywhere.
 | | The new Grand Cherokee will have no problem walking away from the current model in a head-to-head slalom, while still keeping up off the beaten path. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) | | align="justify">Jeep tampered with the Jeep brand when it introduced the Liberty, featuring an independent front suspension. The Cherokee it replaced incorporated solid front and rear axles, said to be better for hard-core off-roading by 4x4 purists. The new Liberty, which will also features an Italian-built common-rail diesel engine alternative with 295 lb-ft of torque for 2005, not only goes just about anywhere the old Cherokee could, but has also experienced strong sales among less dedicated 4x4 enthusiasts due to its more nimble nature on pavement.
Due to the Libertys success, Jeep is bullish about its soon to be released 2005  | | A crossover SUV similar to the Compass concept would attract a new clientele, to the dismay of Jeep purists. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Grand Cherokee, which also breaks from tradition by offering an independent front suspension. While still maintaining a solid rear axle, the new Grand Cherokee will have no problem walking away from the current model in a head-to-head slalom, while still keeping up off the beaten path.
But while the Liberty and new Grand Cherokee offer improved driving dynamics over their predecessors, it is recent news about a car-based crossover Jeep, only suitable for light duty off-road applications that has purists concerned. In the same way Porschephiles cringed at the thought of including an off-road capable SUV among the storied sports car manufacturers models, some Jeep customers arent buying into the need for Jeep "light". But if Porsches example is one to go by, moving outside of traditional  | | Intended to compete with Chevys Equinox or Hondas CR-V, the Compass is designed primarily for on-pavement prowess. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
thought can be good for the bottom line. Currently Porsches Cayenne model is outpacing sales of its Boxster and 911 sports cars, effectually making the German brand predominantly an SUV-maker, much to the disdain of those that think the 911 is the only true Porsche. A crossover SUV similar to the Compass concept that was introduced at the 2002 Detroit auto show will definitely attract a new kind of clientele, what Jeep purists might consider "posers", when it joins two additional SUVs towards the end of 2006.
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