Seven months after the launch of the Commander SUV, Jeep is spending heavily to subsidize sales.

In February, Jeep shelled out an average $5,461 per unit in Commander incentives, according to the Power Information Network.

Jeep's spending on the Commander outpaced by $1,803 per unit the average for the mid-sized SUV category, PIN says. In February, the midsized-SUV segment averaged $3,658, the data say.

"It is definitely a warning signal," says Tom Libby, PIN analyst.

"They are trying to keep inventory turning by lowering the price through incentives," Libby says. "But obviously the vehicle is under pressure already."