Jeep Targets 850,000 Sales by 2015

Behind the wide range of Jeep models, two Chrysler, a smattering of Fiats and Alfa Romeos and local production through an amazing campaign with Guangzhou Automotive Group (GAG), Fiat Chrysler wants to increase their sales in China more than 6 times by the end of 2018. The group sold 130k cars in China last year, the aim for 2018 is now 850,000 cars.

It’s also expected that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee,  Jeep Wrangler, Renegade, the coming Grand Wagoneer and a sub-Renegade-sized crossover will either be built in or exported to the China as well. The Chrysler Town & Country and 300 will join the export list in 2016 and 2018 respectively, according to a report in Automotive News.

With a number of those vehicles not in production or perhaps even envisaged yet, and others not due on the local market until 2018, it will be interesting to see how Fiat Chrysler plans to achieve the target in the specified time frame. The joint venture with GAG builds two products now, the Dodge Dart-based Fiat Viaggio launched two years ago – supposedly designed just for China – and the just-launched Fiat Ottimo, a hatchback version of the Viaggio. Fiat projected 300,000 Viagio sales in its first two years, that number has been adjusted downward to 94,000 and there doesn’t appear to be an analyst alive that sees a good future for Fiat in China’s overrun mainstream market. Still, last year’s 130,000 group sales in China is a huge jump from 2012 sales of 66,000 units, but less than half the 300,000 units it projected.

Jeep, on the other hand, is in a much better position as a “tough,” inspirational brand and made plenty of noise for the locals with four styling concepts at this year’s Beijing Motor Show. Nevertheless, while much lower pricing on locally-built models, the expanded dealership network and projected 2015 sales of 53,000 Jeep products will assist in the push, finding those additional hundreds of thousands of units leaves a lot of ground to cover. The 850K number represents about 12 percent of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ global sales target of nearly seven million units by 2018.

 

Source: autoblog.com

Jeep and Train Crush in Texas

It’s about time I post an interesting video on Jeep topic. One of the latest videos I found is trending all over the internet and is about Jeep Crushing into a Train in Houston Texas. So in this video a Jeep Grand Cherokee Driver decides to ignore the red lights at the rail crossing, despite all the warnings and closed gates. The interesting thing is that the man was doing that whilst having two kids in the back of his car. This clearly proves that you don’t really need a to extra smart to get driving license.

The good news is that the father with his kids are alright and just got a few injuries, which is quite surprising for that kind of crush. I think they got lucky because the train wasn’t traveling fast enough, you can see clearly that the train pushed the car forward rather than destroying it right where it sanded.  Probably the guys was in a real rush and wasn’t bothered to take a look a the both sides before trying to pass the rail crossing. Or there is also a chance that he wasn’t able to see the rail properly on the right side because of some abstractions.  Anyway, don’t ever try to pass the rail crossing when the right is red guys.

Please let me know what you think about Jeep and Train Crush in Texas – Houston in the comments section.

Cheers, Douglas

The Best and Worst Fuel Efficient Jeep Models

This topic is going to show the most fuel efficient jeep models as well as the worst models in terms of fuel efficiency. You will be able to compare the best MPG Jeep models. Please be aware that in this comparison I’m using the American gallon type, not the UK one. So just double check that if you want a more exact information.

Jeep Compass (Sport, Latitude, Limited)
Average highway driving range: 378 miles (608 kilometers)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.6 gallon
City MPG: 23
Highway MPG: 28
Average MPG: 25.5

 

Jeep Grand Cherokee (Laredo, Limited, Overland, ST8)
Average highway driving range: 540 miles (869 kilometers)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 24.6 gallon
City MPG: 17
Highway MPG: 23
Average MPG: 20.0

 

Jeep Patriot (Sport, Latitude, Limited)
Average highway driving range: 370 miles (595 kilometers)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.6
City MPG: 23
Highway MPG: 27
Average MPG: 25.0

 

Jeep Wrangler (2 door) (Sport, Sahara, Rubicon)
Average highway driving range: 390 miles (627 kilometers)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.6
City MPG: 17
Highway MPG: 21
Average MPG: 19.0

 

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door) (Sport, Sahara, Rubicon)
Average highway driving range: 460 miles (740 kilometers)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22.5
City MPG: 16
Highway MPG: 21
Average MPG: 18.5

 

So as you can see from the table above, the most efficient model of Jeep is Patriot model, followed by Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the best and worst jeep models mpg article. Please come back next week for more interesting and exciting materials on Jeeps.

Chrysler Recalling 25,000 Vehicles

It has been announced that Chrysler is recalling over 25,00 of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs  due to brake feel. This affects several markets all over the world, they issue has appeared on concerns about brake feel under hard braking.

The Recall from Chrysler affects models from 2012 and 2013, although the particular dates are not available and I was unable to find them anywhere as well. Here are some numbers: 18,700 vehicles are in the US, while 825 are in Canada, 530 are in Mexico and a further 5,200 are spread among the rest of the world.

According to an official statement, Chrysler was informed of the issue by a component supplier for the Ready Alert Braking system, which primes the brakes in anticipation of an emergency stop. A component in this system was restricting the flow of brake fluid too much. And that is why the concern was raised.

It has also been pointed that there was no cases reported of drivers losing braking power. Instead, the issue rests with what Chrysler calls a pedal feel that “was not consistent with customer expectations.” So to be fair it’s not that a big issue if you ask my personal opinion. So from official statement it seems that Chrysler is more worried about the consumers feeling right when pushing the braking pedal rather than avoiding some legal issues.

It’s just a matter of days now before consumers will be receiving an official notification.

Here is an official PR from Chrysler:

Statement: Anti-Lock Brakes
March 7, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Chrysler Group is recalling approximately 25,250 SUVs to improve pedal feel during certain aggressive braking maneuvers.

A supplier raised with the Company a concern about the performance of a component that accommodates Ready Alert Braking, a Chrysler Group safety system that primes brakes for optimal response when making a sudden stop. Brake function was neither lost nor out of compliance with regulation, but pedal feel was not consistent with customer expectations.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

An investigation discovered brake-fluid flow was being restricted too much. A software update optimizes flow and restores appropriate pedal feel.

Affected are certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from model years 2012 and 2013 – approximately 18,700 in the U.S., 825 in Canada, 530 in Mexico and 5,200 outside the NAFTA region.

Chrysler Group will notify affected customers when to schedule service. Repair costs will be borne by the Company.

Please come back soon for more information on jeep. Don’t forget to visit bestop.co.uk for a wide range of jeep accessories and jeep parts.

Jeep at 2014 North American International Auto Show

Here are some top pictures of Jeep at 2014 North American International Auto Show. The show took place last week so I’m re-posting this information for the official jeep blog. Hope you will enjoy going through those pictures, as some models look just awesome. Especially with all that proper lighting set up correctly.

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Compass

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Patriot

Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler Wheeler

Please come back soon for more exciting news and events on Jeep model!

Mike Manley Predicts Bright Future for Jeep

Mike Manley, the chief Executive of Chrysler’s Jeep division has stated that he predicts a bright future for Jeep in the up following year. This plan is part of Chrysler’s CEO Sergio Marchione’s agenda to expand the global presents.

It has been stated that Jeep are doing extremely great in U.S. especially with their two new models recent launch – Grand Cherokee and Cherokee SUV. Part of the agenda is to expand this success in different countries (outside US).

Manley, interviewed at the L.A. auto show, discusses the outlook for the Jeep brand and what it needs to build upon its recent success.

You can find some interesting thoughts of Manley on 2014 for Jeep:

 I’m looking for a strong year for Jeep in 2014. Last year we broke our sales record of 700,000 units with virtually zero Libertys in 2013, and today we’re level with 2012, so that’s a great performance from the rest of our vehicles. Now, with Cherokee on sale for two months, we have a very good chance of breaking last year’s record.

Mike Manley also pointed that:

Going into 2014 with the most competitive vehicle in the midsize SUV segment, the largest in the U.S., we’re looking to make sure we use that to continue to grow our other products. And if we do that, 2014 will be a very strong year for Jeep.

Hopefully, everything will go according to plan for Jeep in 2014. Please come back soon for more information on Jeep’s and Jeep Accessories.