I haven't heard anyone make this observation, so I'm just going to put it out there: The first step in parting out chrysler, dodge and jeep is to separate them as much as possible. All this talk of reducing platform sharing (as if it is always a bad thing) could really be a cover for dismembering the company so that they can more profitably do away with the parts. Personally, I'm hoping ford buys Jeep . . . .

Yes, Yes, Yes---100 M.P.G. Cars (or in this case, Jeeps).

When a plug-in hybrid, such as the Jeep Renegade Concept, runs in Heavy-Hybrid Mode, the engine basically idles providing a constant power source, which runs parallel to the battery pack.

Plug-in hybrids, such as the Jeep Renegade Concept, have delivered up to 110 M.P.G. for the first gallon, when the battery pack discharges down to about 20% capacity. When the battery depletes this low, the car then gets reduced mileage because it is operating in hybrid mode, usually about 35 m.p.g.

If you plan on driving around town at under 45 miles per hour, and plan on driving under 45 miles, you probably won't use ANY gas, as the battery pack will power your trip.

If you plan on taking a short highway trip, say from Chicago (Go Sox!) to Wisconson, you can drive in Heavy-Hybrid Mode with the battery pack doing most of the work, and the engine providing an additional power boost to drive at highway speeds. A typical 110 mile round-trip would consume about 1 gallon of fuel.

A long road trip would deliver 110 m.p.g. for the first gallon, and 35 m.p.g. thereafter. So 10 gallons would consume 1 gallon for the first 110 miles, and 1 gallon for each 35 miles after that, so 110 mi+35mix9=425 miles per 10 gallon tank, or around 42 m.p.g.

I understand this is the newly adopted theme song for the X-prize: entitled "Ode to 100MPG cars"

I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way...

I'd like to see if Jeep can even muster a 30mpg vehicle in the next 2 years first, but of course, they're always welcome to take a plunge into the 40's... or the 100's whenever they're ready...

I liked the concept of the Nitro in the planning phase, but it looks pretty dull with the base model and the slightly less boring SXT models diluting the market...If anything, keep the Nitro R/T in limited production, sort of like a Liberty SRT, but drop the base models...

The Compass must die, and I'm not all that crazy about the Patriot..My dad owns one, it's 'nice', nice for Dodge, but unless they are going beef it up, it should wear another nameplate besides Jeep.

I read mentions of a 2 seat off roader, I'm guessing like the Renegade concept...Unfortunately, who is going to buy one, even the Scions seat 4-5 people. While I will be bummed about the Commander going away, Jeep's bread and butter is on the lower end of off-roading, and now, with gas prices approaching $4.00/gallon or higher, efficiency is all that more important.

I AGAIN call for Jeep to Build the Willys Concept and use the Renegade Drivetrain and an extended battery pack to allow for gas-free city driving 45 Mi. at 45 mph, and hybrid-mode driving at up to 110 mpg for the first gallon and 45 mpg thereafter (heavy hybrid mode).

With basic ameneties, price the Willys to compete with the Scions, the Fits, the Kia's, the Hyundai's and the VW's make it at-least as capable as the TJ, even if it has 4WIS and THEN, THEN, THEN you have an ENTRY-LEVEL JEEP.

The Nitro is a neutered Jeep with a "Dodge" nameplate on it. It's a waste of production materials, since people really aren't interested in buying that sort of a vehicle from Dodge. They'll buy it from Jeep though, as evidenced by Liberty vs Nitro sales numbers. Plus, the Liberty has some history behind it.

Dump the Nitro. The funds allocated to producing that vehicle could be split between more Libertys (they'd need it since they can expect an increase in sales) and a Jeep pickup.

Dump the Compass and use that production capacity for a dedicated 2-seater off-roader.

And take the braces off of the Patriot. Give it some teeth. No... give it some fangs...

You forgot that the Patriot is the same vehicle, as well. The Outlander isn't sold by Chrysler, they merely borrowed the platform to make the Caliber, Compass, and Patriot. The Caliber and Compass get panned by the automotive press and the Patriot is reasonably accepted. I imagine they'll keep the Patty, Mitsu will keep the Outlander, and the Caliber and Compass will be dropped.

The fact that the Caliber was intended to be a replacement for the Neon speaks volumes about their mis-management. They're now left with three of the same porky cars and nothing to compete with the Corolla. I imagine we'll see a dodge-branded small Nissan in the near future.

does anyone have the sales figures between the Nitro and the Liberty, becasue i hate to say it, but i like the Nitro much better, design wise.
The Liberty like the Compass looks dated already