 2011 Grand Cherokee Shown in Bailout Plan? |
Did Chrysler just tip its hand on the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee by showing a photo (or a really good rendering) in the ginormous report it submitted to the federal government?
As part of the bailout deal, both GM and Chrysler were required to submit a viability report to the U.S. Government yesterday - buried deep on page 131 of 177 was what appears to be a photo of the upcoming vehicle - complete with very professional infomercial graphics ("but don't order yet!")
If you got a few hours to spare, you can check out the entire report yourself.
Thanks to snakesausa and Dave from allpar for giving us a heads-up.
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Grand Cherokee Wins Automotive Loyalty Award |
From a Chrysler LLC press release
Chrysler LLC earned two top awards at this year's 13th Annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards. The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country was named "Automotive Loyalty Award-Minivan" for the eighth year in a row, and Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee took "Automotive Loyalty Award-Mid-size SUV."
"The Chrysler Town & Country being honored with its eighth consecutive award is a true testament to Chrysler's understanding of customer needs in the minivan segment," said Stephen Polk, Chairman, President and CEO of R. L. Polk Co. "The award for Jeep Grand Cherokee represents a significant milestone win for Chrysler as well, with loyalty at the highest level in the mid-size SUV category."
The awards recognize manufacturers for superior owner loyalty performance and are determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same model or make.
"We are honored that our customers continue to choose Chrysler Town & Country and Jeep Grand Cherokee more than any other vehicle in their respective segments," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President-North American Sales, Marketing and Mopar Parts and Service, Chrysler LLC. "With more than 25 years of minivan innovation, the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country is the best minivan to transport people and their things. And with more than 17 years of innovating the mid-size sport-utility market, the most capable and powerful Jeep Grand Cherokee is designed to take on life's ever-changing challenges, whether on- or off-road."
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First (Cammo'd) Pics of All-New 2010 Grand Cherokee |
Car and Driver just scored the first heavily-camouflaged spy pics of the all-new 2010 Grand Cherokee.
Clearly visible is the new model’s significantly longer wheelbase and rear overhang, suggesting that it has grown a bunch and may accommodate a third-row seat. According to our shooter’s sources, the styling looks a bit like the way-cool Jeep Trailhawk Concept from the 2007 NAIAS, sans the T-bar roof and with normal-sized windows and wheels.
They've got a bunch of pics - get your mouse over there check 'em out!
Thanks to kayadog for the heads-up!
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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plans? |
Allpar claims to have the latest scoop on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is to be the basis for the 2012 Dodge Durango (and, if they keep it, the Dodge Aspen)
As for looks, our guess is that Jeep will move back to the original Grand Cherokee styling cues. Most likely, aerodynamic considerations will have a much higher influence than before — which does not necessarily mean you should expect swoopy lines, since the new Ram doesn’t look especially aerodynamic but is, and the “aero-styled” Shadow wasn’t. We suspect the “blocky” styling will be toned down, inside and out; today’s ethic is looking lighter, not heavier. We’re hoping the goofy headlight treatment will disappear — replaced either by the current “big round headlights” or by the Grand Cherokee’s original rectangles.
Redriderbob wrote, “We do know it will draw super-heavy amounts of influence from the 2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept. That vehicle was based on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited platform that has a 116" wheelbase, the same wheelbase as the previous generation Dodge Durango! Front grille styling, as well as side profile styling cues will be very similar I am told. The vehicle will carry more chunky and edgy fenders. I have been told it will look more like a Range Rover Sport with Jeep DNA on steroids!”
Be sure to check out the entire article - it has many more details on potential powertrains and styling.
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Obama Had a Jeep |
On the fence about who to vote for this November? If so, your worries are over, your clear choice is Barak Obama, providing you're willing to cast your vote based on what kind of car they drive.
Turns out an Illinois woman recently found out that her 2000 Grand Cherokee once belong to Barak Obama. She's now looking to cash in on her luck by selling the vehicle after the November election:
Murphy said Gossett showed her a copy of a title with Obama's name written all over it. She said she did not initially recognize the name but became excited after learning the young politician was running for the U.S. Senate.
She said her excitement was rekindled when Obama joined the race for the presidential nomination and she now plans to sell the vehicle after the November elections. Murphy said she hopes that if Obama becomes the new occupant of the White House she will be able to sell her Jeep for more than its regular trade-in value.
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New Grand Cherokee Plant Hints at Hybrids? |
When the news hit last week that Chrysler was investing $1.8 billion in its Jefferson North facility in Detroit where the Grand Cherokee is assembled, there weren't a whole lot of details. The juiciest tidbit was that the Grand Cherokee would be car-based. We just heard something a bit more interesting...
Edmunds Inside Line is reporting now that a hybrid might be in store for the Grand Cherokee by 2011:
Supplier sources told Inside Line that the investment focuses heavily on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, in two-row and three-row configurations. The new Grand Cherokee will be powered by the new Phoenix engine, a V6 that is likely to be either a 3.3-liter or a 3.5-liter. The new Grand Cherokee will be engineered with "more space for hybrid components," a source said. There was talk about "Dodge spin-offs" to be built at Jefferson North, but one source said those "talks have quieted down."
As you can see, the article mentions 2- and 3-row configuration for the Grand Cherokee - this appears to be yet another indication that the Commander (also assembled at Jefferson North) is not long for this world.
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Video: Jeep Grand Cherokee Backflip |
I normally don't post off-roading videos, but since this one is short, funny, sad, and nobody got hurt, I figured it was worth a shot. Let me know in the comments if you'd like to see more stuff like this - I certainly come across enough of it!
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All-New Grand Cherokee in 2010, Chrysler Spending $1.8 Billion to Upgrade Plant |
KBCI is reporting that Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom Lasorda just announced that Chrysler will be spending $1.8 billion to upgrade the Jefferson North Assembly (current home of the Grand Cherokee) in preparation for an all-new car-based SUV.
Most of the articles I've read about this story this morning are vague about the vehicle to be produced, but I did manage to find one source (a French site, apparently) that says it will be a new car-based Grand Cherokee! From easyBourse.com:
LaSorda said the new vehicles will retain the Grand Cherokee name and will hit dealer showrooms in 2010.
From the KBCI article:
LaSorda said the money will go for tooling and a flexible body shop at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant. That plant now makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Speaking at a weeklong industry meeting organized by the Center for Automotive Research, LaSorda said the investment will add 285,000 square feet to the plant and keep more than 400 jobs in Michigan.
The new vehicle will be more fuel-efficient than the truck-based Cherokee and will be equipped with the company's new Phoenix line of fuel-efficient engines.
LaSorda said the factory should be retooled by the end of next year and will start cranking out the new vehicles early in 2010.
He said the investment will include energy-efficient lighting and the ability to use solid waste and paint sludge as an energy source.
More info to come as the facts come out...
UPDATE (8/14/08): Chrysler has posted a press release. More details about the upgrades, no additional details about the vehicles to be manufactred. Read it in full after the jump...
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Video: Additional Grand Cherokee "Opera" Videos |
I'm not going to even pretend that I understand these next two videos I just found on YouTube's thejeepchannel.
The first video is the same as the one I posted last month, but the next two feature two of the same actors from the first commercial.
I'm not sure what Chrysler it going for with these, maybe somebody can explain it to me...
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2009 and 2010 Jeep Model Information |
wkjeeps has long been a reliable source for future Jeep information - mainly in the form of production details and vehicle options.
They're currently reporting that production for the 2009 Grand Cherokee and Commander (its last year) will begin August 11, 2008. Neither model will have any large changes this year.
Liberty, Patriot, and Wrangler production began July 21, 2008 - again, no major changes to the lineup.
The 2010 Grand Cherokee will be the final year for the current generation, as 2011 will bring an all-new Grand Cherokee with the new "Phoenix" series engine.
