 Jeep Liberty Owners are Driving their Ideal Vehicle |
A recent survey by AutoPacific found that Jeep Liberty owners are perfectly happy with their vehicles:
Two Chrysler Group LLC vehicles are on AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle list. According to the survey released today, owners of the Jeep(R) Liberty and Dodge Challenger say they are driving a vehicle that meets, or even exceeds, their expectations, meaning those vehicles are perfect just the way they are.
"We are very pleased that the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Challenger have won high praise from their owners. In fact, this is the second year in a row the Jeep Liberty has earned this honor," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President - Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. "
This study is confirmation that we understand the needs of our customers, and are designing and building vehicles that they are proud to own. Because of their positive experience, these consumers become promoters for our brands and in this difficult market, their endorsement is priceless."
According to the survey criteria, an Ideal Vehicle is one that meets owners' expectations for the product when they acquired it. AutoPacific asked owners to indicate their desire to change their vehicle in 15 different categories ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage after having owned and driven their vehicle for 90 days. The buyers who are happy with their vehicle just the way it is, the ones least likely to desire change, are driving their "ideal" vehicle.
The Jeep Liberty earned top honors in the Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle category for the second year in a row. It was also recognized as the top rated vehicle in AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research last month. The Jeep Liberty has remained a leader in the mid-size SUV market since its introduction in 2002. All-new from the ground up for the 2008 model year, the Jeep Liberty continues to offer legendary Trail Rated(R) Jeep 4x4 capability combined with a new level of on-road refinement and innovative features.
Do you drive a Liberty? Is it your ideal vehicle? If not, what changes would need to be made to make it "ideal"?
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 Video: The Wrangler is Cool (No Kidding) |
Here's a shocker for you - the Wrangler is a cool summer vehicle. At least that's what AutoWeek thinks when it named it one of the 10 coolest vehicles of the summer. I'm pretty sure there was no quantitative analysis of what makes a vehicle "cool" - probably just a nice way to sell some magazines (preaching to the choir). Regardless, it's always nice to get some confirmation.
Chrysler thought the announcement was cool enough to warrant putting it in this week's edition of "Under the Pentastar".
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2010 Wrangler Color Changes |
Looks like there's going to be some color changes coming for the 2010 model year Wranglers...
OUT
Jeep Green
Detenator Yellow
Sunburst Orange
IN
Natural Green Pearl Coat
Surf Blue Pearl Coat
DK. Charcoal Pearl Coat
The information appeared to have come from a dealer with access to Chrysler's internal ordering system.
Check out the original post from JKOwners.com.
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Wrangler Production To Start-Up June 29th |
If vehicles rolling off the assembly line are any indication, the Chrysler is getting back to business starting the week of June 29th when the Jeep Wrangler assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio resumes production along with 6 other Chrysler production lines.
From the official press release:
One week after finalizing its global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it will resume volume production of vehicles with the start up of seven of its North American assembly plants the week of June 29, 2009.
As part of a phased production ramp-up, the following assembly plants are scheduled to resume production at the end of the month:
- Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, MI) – Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger
- Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, MI) – Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota
- St. Louis North Assembly Plant (Fenton, MO) – Dodge Ram
- Toledo Supplier Park (Toledo, OH) – Jeep® Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Brampton Assembly Plant (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger
- Windsor Assembly Plant (Windsor, Ontario, Canada ) – Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan
- Toluca Assembly Plant (Toluca, Mexico) – Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler Group’s Powertrain and Stamping facilities that supply these assembly plants will also be operating. Chrysler’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, which builds the Dodge Viper, resumed production on June 15.
All Chrysler Group plants will be closed during a previously announced two-week Summer Break the weeks of July 13 and 20.
Re-start of production at other Chrysler Group assembly plants will be announced at a later date.
 New Jeep Boss is Manley |
Michael Manley was named the President and CEO of the Jeep brand following the official execution of the Fiat/Chrysler merger. Manley was previously the Executive Vice President of the International Sales and Global Product Planning Operations of Chrysler.
Mr. Manley has a big job in front of him. In addition to running the Jeep brand, he's also responsible for coordinating the product plan and volume requirements of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brand functions. Yikes. Sounds important.
Born in 1964 in the U.K., he's been with Chrysler since 2000, serving in various roles in both the U.K. and in America.
I was able to dig up this video of Mr. Manley from the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.
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Video: Sergio's First Day |
Chrysler recently posted a new episode of "Under the Pentastar" - their weekly video recap of events in and around their company. What a week it was...
It's only a few short minutes, but in the video, there's a lot that can be learned. First, Sergio Marchionne, the new CEO of Chrysler, loves casual Fridays. In his first address to employees at Chrysler HQ, he appeared relaxed in a black oxford shirt. New Chrysler Chairman C. Robert Kidder looked a bit overdressed as he addressed the same crowd in a traditional business suit.
We also learned that Casual Sergio doesn't have nearly nearly a thick of an Italian accent as I imagined he would have had. Not sure if that is good or bad news.
At about the 1:30 mark in the video, there's a brief shot of some Jeep Wrangler assembly porn. Since this is still a Jeep site (and there hasn't been too much Jeep-specific news lately) I'll take it where I can get it.
Perhaps the most interesting (seriously) revelation in the video was that each of the 4 brands of Chrysler will have profit and loss responsibility.
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Chrysler/Fiat Deal is Official. Buongiorno!? |
Today begins a new chapter for Chrysler - the "merger" with Fiat has been completed. The U.S. Supreme Court delayed the merger by a day, but as of about an hour or two ago, it is complete. From the official Chrysler press release:
Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat Group announced today that they have finalized their previously announced global strategic alliance, forming a “new" Chrysler that has the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete effectively on a global scale. The new Chrysler will begin operations immediately.
As part of the alliance, Fiat will contribute to Chrysler its world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing the company to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles increasingly in demand by consumers. Chrysler will also benefit from Fiat’s management expertise in business turnaround and access to Fiat’s international distribution network with particular focus on Latin America and Russia.
“This is a very significant day, not only for Chrysler and its dedicated employees, who have persevered through a great deal of uncertainty during the past year, but for the global automotive industry as a whole,” said Sergio Marchionne, who today was named Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC. “From the very beginning, we have been adamant that this alliance must be a constructive and important step towards solving the problems impacting our industry. We now look forward to establishing a new paradigm for how automotive companies can operate profitably going forward."
So - it's prediction time. A year from now, will this deal be seen as a positive or negative for the Jeep brand. Post your prediction in the comments.
The rest of the press release follows after the jump...
 May Sales Best of 2009 |
Chrysler LLC reported that May, 2009 sales were the strongest for the year. Jeep Wrangler continued its strong upward sales trend for the fifth month in a row, with May retail sales up 4 percent year-over-year compared to May 2008 and up 8 percent compared to the previous month. The Wrangler also increased its share of the segment for the fifth month in a row. Overall, the Jeep brand retail sales were up 21 percent compared to April 2009.
"May was a very encouraging retail month for Chrysler and the industry," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President North American Sales and Marketing, Service and Parts - Chrysler LLC. "Retail sales for the industry came in stronger than expected and our retail performance during our restructuring was even stronger than the industry, giving us improved share and optimism that the market is showing signs of life."
Full sales figures after the jump...
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Wrangler Among Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure |
The 2009 Jeep Wrangler is the 14th least expensive vehicle to insure, according to Insure.com, with an average annual premium of $939.
Topping the "least expensive" list was the Hyundai Santa Fe at $832. Other SUVs making the top (bottom?) 20 are the Kia Sportage, Saturn Vue, and Mazda Tribute.
On the flipside, the most expensive vehicle to insure is the Nissan GT-R, at $2,533. SUVs in the most expensive top 20 include the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Hummer H2, Land Rover Range Rover, and BMW X6.
From the press release:
Insure.com calculated average car insurance premiums for almost 300 vehicles in model year 2009.
The GT-R's supercharged engine helped drive it to the top of the list. It's a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged 24-valve V6 with 485 horsepower. Compare that to the Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6, with a horsepower of 271. Or take the Smart Fortwo, the smallest car available and one of the least expensive to insure, which has 71 horsepower.
Owners of the GT-R buy it for power and speed, and their driving habits are often reflected in frequent and expensive insurance claims.
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Court Approves Sale of Profitable Chrysler LLC Assets to Chrysler Group LLC |
A major hurdle has been cleared on Chrysler's road to recovery - a U.S. Bankruptcy court as approved the sale of most of Chrysler LLC's assets to Chrysler Group LLC, the "new" company. It is Chrysler Group LLC that has the alliance with Fiat - this ruling effectively approves the alliance (merger). From the official press release:
"With this approval, the new Chrysler Group is created and can prepare to launch as a vibrant new company formed with Fiat," said Robert L. Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler LLC. "Through the hard work and foresight of many Chrysler stakeholders, Chrysler Group will soon begin operations with significant strategic advantages, such as a wage and benefit structure for active and retired employees that is competitive with those of transplant manufacturers; a reduction of debt and interest expense; the disposition of idle assets; a rationalized and more efficient dealer network; and sound agreements with our suppliers. While this has been an extremely difficult chapter in Chrysler's history for all involved, the new Company and its customers, employees and suppliers can now begin on a fresh page."
