If you don't like what Jeep has, you don't want capability. Jeep makes Jeeps not luxury cars, and like I read elsewhere, point them to the chrysler line. Chevy has many vehicles where Jeeps have 3. As for the loyalty, ask any

I'm on my second Cherokee, and there's nothing in the current lineup that appeals to me or meets my needs (partially for the reason you stated), but to be fair the other reason may be reliability. There is a blanket statement in the article to this effect. I've not had a problem with my '99 and I ran my '88 through 200,000 miles before giving it to a family member. But the reputation of lack of quality has plagued the brand (rightly or wrongly). It would have been nice if the article was specific about the reasons and I assume that those who undertook these surveys gathered reasons for loyalty or lack thereof.

Your point is still valid, but I think it's only a partial answer. Certainly it's the reason I'll be holding on to my current ride and looking elsewhere unless they put something out with a bit more utility and a bit less plastic. I still have hope and will be scrutinizing the Unlimited. Otherwise, I can go another 8 years without a major rehaul. ;)

No kidding! This is what many of us have been saying for years. Our current Jeeps are getting old, but DC does not make anything we want to buy as a replacement, so we just keep fixing the old ones. You'd think they would get a clue that we want something that really is trail worthy, rather than some wimpy IFS low rider with low profile tires and soft interiors that will get gouged by the firewood I carry on camping trips to the desert. And I'm not talking about a decal and some off-road lights on the roof. While customer loyalty is important, corporate loyalty to their customers is the key. They seem to be forgetting that.

"If you don't like what Jeep has, you don't want capability. Jeep makes Jeeps not luxury cars, and like I read elsewhere, point them to the chrysler line. Chevy has many vehicles where Jeeps have 3. As for the loyalty, ask any Jeep owner and I think you will get the same answer, if not they don't deserve having one, get them a minivan. "

Do you get your paycheck directly from Daimler?

Seriously, you must be unaware of what Jeep has been doing the last couple of years:

Liberty: pavement-centric, with IFS and less utility (space, ruggedness).
GC: moving to IFS, moving upmarket.
Wrangler: moving to IFS, drastic changes expected with regard to open top.
Compass: Liberty-based rally car offering with a four-banger. Targeted at the WRX/Evo market.
Dodge: talk about rebadging or sharing a platform.
Treo concept: Useless concept that reportedly contains "future design elements."
Jeep Unlimited: Slightly extended Wrangler, and a stop-gap before the redesign.
Rescue concept: H2 clone which points to a next-gen four-door production model without the doodads. Those who think they'll offer anything like it under $40,000k for production are on crack.

The days of simple, utilitarian design are gone. Love your YJ? Kiss it goodbye. Homogenization is the wave of the future...

If you don't like what Jeep has, you don't want capability. Jeep makes Jeeps not luxury cars, and like I read elsewhere, point them to the chrysler line. Chevy has many vehicles where Jeeps have 3. As for the loyalty, ask any Jeep owner and I think you will get the same answer, if not they don't deserve having one, get them a minivan.

I think the extended Wrangler is something to get VERY excited about. I've waited years to have a Wrangler with more room! Now they finally do it.
I'll wait a couple of years and go with the Unlimited!

A couple of comments:

As far as Jeep building a truck off of the Wrangler, I doubt that is going to happen. They killed the new Scrambler idea because there was no business case, so why would they change their mind?

As far as the Compass, I doubt that is coming either. Isuzu dropped the 2-door Rodeo Sport (Amigo) for 2004 as well as the 2-door Tracker (and Suzuki version), and Kia 2-door Sportage are history for 2004. The closest equivalent models are all gone, so there is probably no ‘business’ case for the Compass. In reality, there are very few 2-door SUVs left on the market.

DC seems intent on sharing everything among all of its manufactures; hence the new Grand Cherokee shares a lot with the Mercedes M class. Changing the grill on the Liberty and rebadging it a Dodge would not be a surprise. Now that the Durango is growing bigger and becoming a small school bus, Dodge could use a small SUV. With this direction, soon Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Mercedes will have the same line. Personally, I don’t get this sharing of the same vehicle with different names under every branch of a company’s division.

As far as the Unlimited, I don’t think there is too much to get excited about. Basically a 2 door Wrangler with a little more trunk space. My guess is this could eventually replace the current Wrangler dimensions similar to the change we saw in the CJ5 to CJ7 days. I would not be surprised the 2007 redesigned Wrangler shares similar dimensions to the Unlimited. Why else would Jeep bother to build the Unlimited for just a couple of years? Of course, the new 2007 Wrangler might be very different beast (like IFS, V6, no fold down windshield, maybe even uni-body).

As far as Jeep loyalty, I think that research is a bit off. Granted, a Jeep owner that needs something that is not an SUV will have to go elsewhere, but how many ended up staying with DC? In addition, I don’t like the idea of Jeep becoming like Chevrolet and being the Sears of the auto industry. Granted Chevy sells all kinds of vehicles, but do they really pour enough research money into their entire line? I do think Jeep should expand, but let them stick with what they do best, solid SUVs (and trucks). With most Jeep dealers also being Chrysler dealers, if Jeep is not what you need, point the customer to the Chrysler line. Don’t pollute Jeep by having them sell mini-vans and econo-cars.

As far as the Toledo plant incorporating the OEMs on site, this seems a bit scary. Now the OEM is making the entire body for the new Wrangler. Who did the design work? When there are issues or quality problems, which is in charge? It’s bad enough having to rely on outside manufactures for components, but at least if they screw up, you can go to another vendor. I know in part this is being done to make the ‘bottom line’ look good for Jeep. Basically, you cut Jeeps head count, so on paper it will show very few employees needed at Jeep. The next generation Wrangler could be a very strange beast.

I too am on my second XJ. This one (1993)with nearly 250,000, the other one (1986- 4 cyl)with close to 300k when it flipped over at Moab and went over a cliff. The first one was good, but this one has been remarkable. But many people I know who bought Grand Cherokees seem to have had problems, and of course the old 2.8 V6's were bad news. Being a gearhead I'm on top of things before they go bad, but I'm always replacing warped brake rotors after coming down from high mountains and the engine gets hot even with a new Modine 2 row radiator and high capacity tranny cooler and Brassworks high capacity water pump. THey didn't build them for heavy duty use. So yes, there are some reliability issues. Most could be fixed with a few stronger parts. But if they would give us what we want I'd be a buyer. Better fuel mileage would help too.

Perhaps the Dodge product based on the Liberty is the Compass concept but with a Dodge name on it. That would keep Jeep out of the AWD Car business - excellent!!!