Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Spend any time in the advertising business, and you’ll see this kind of struggle. So called “high-concept” advertising is what tends to be what consumers emotionally engage with and remember. Usually, only big brands with a national presence and lots of money can pull off advertising that is more about the spot than the product it’s hawking. Running with the big boys requires vision on the part of decision makers. While big companies have marketing specialists with high falutin’ degrees and summat, the retailers that close sales and take the money from your hand focus much more on product.

According to Bloomberg, Chrysler and its dealer body are playing out this very struggle. Dealers are unhappy with the company’s new advertising efforts and budget changes that have been made as part of the recently enacted five year business plan. Facing sales that were down twenty five percent in November, dealers have asked that the new ads focusing on lifestyle and brand-building, such as the latest Jeep spots, be stopped. Advertising that shows vehicles and their features, along with a harder sell on the price and incentive front would be preferable to the dealers.

Cash on the hood is down, however, and Chrysler has some vehicles that are challenging to sell. Regional advertising budgets have been readjusted, as well, siphoning off funds from some higher-volume dealers to regions without enough volume to get any help in the fourth quarter otherwise. The plan in Auburn Hills is to aggressively rebuild its brands over the next five years, which is an image-building operation where the new campaign makes sense. In the meantime, however, the company needs to sell cars to stay solvent until its touchy-feely advertising takes root; an effort that may be better served by the product-centric advertising the dealers want. While everyone loves clever advertisements, sometimes it’s just best to scream about the deals on Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!

Hit the jump to see an example of the new commercials.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Continue reading REPORT: Chrysler dealers unhappy over new ads, want regional marketing spending restored [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Chrysler dealers unhappy over new ads, want regional marketing spending restored [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, SUV, Crossover, Jeep, Design/Style, Off-Road

Jeep is poised to release a trio of special edition vehicles next week at the Detroit Auto Show; two based on the iconic Wrangler platform and a third based on the Liberty. As much as we’d love to tell you about some amazing new powertrain option, that’s not happening – at least not yet. Instead, these three models are really just interesting themes on the same basic and well-known packages.

We’ll start with the Liberty Renegade, which will be positioned in between the Sport and Limited models. Included in the kit are painted Mineral Gray Keystone 16-inch wheels capped with all-terrain P235/70R16 tires along with dark neutral metallic wheel flares, side sills and fascia. The graphics package continues with Argent Silver on the lower fascia and roof rack plus Satin Black vinyl hood decals. Finally, the interior features new driftwood accent bezels.

On the Wrangler front, the first highlight is the $1,120 Islander package, which returns after a 20-plus-year absence. Unique touches include an optional Surf Blue Pearl Coat, an Islander “Tiki Bob” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates, black side steps and 17-inch Moab wheels shod with 32-inch tires. Tiki Bob makes an appearance inside too, embroidered on the seat backs.

Finally, the $1,820 Wrangler Mountain package is based on the S model and comes with a unique “Mountain” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates (different from the Islander’s coordinates, naturally) along with painted high-gloss Mineral Gray 17-inch Moab wheels, grille and bumper appliqués. Other bits include tubular side steps, black tail lamp guards and a fuel-filler door from Mopar. Interior improvements are made up of an embossed seat insert with embroidered “Mountain logo” plus anodized graphite heating, ventilation and air conditioning rings.

Want to know more? Check out our high-res image galleries of all three models below and then hit the jump for the official press release.

[Source: Jeep]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Jeep to unveil Wrangler Islander and Mountain trims, plus Liberty Renegade

Detroit Preview: Jeep to unveil Wrangler Islander and Mountain trims, plus Liberty Renegade originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

If Chrysler is looking to gain any one thing from its new parents at Fiat, it’s engine technology. Specifically, the Pentastar will be enlisting its Italian overlords to supply direct injection systems, turbocharging, and Fiat’s Multiair variable valve technology, along with new dual-clutch transmissions. Chrysler claims all of this technology is going to boost the overall fuel-efficiency of its vehicles by 25 percent between now and 2014, with over 80 percent of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles getting new mills in the process.

To that end, Chrysler has finally announced the details of its new powertrain lineup, including two small-displacement four-cylinders and a new V6.

On the four-pot front, Chrysler will begin fitting one of two new 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines on future models: a naturally aspirated version kicking out 100 horsepower (at 6,750 rpm) and 95 pound-feet of torque (at 4,250 rpm), as well as a turbocharged variant that churns out 170 hp (at 6,750 rpm) and 170 lb-ft of twist (at 3,000 rpm). In keeping with its Italian ancestry, Chrysler has dubbed these new mills “Fully Integrated Robotized Engines” and each features Fully Variable-valve Actuation (FVVA) – what we’ve come to know as Multiair across the Atlantic. Chrysler maintains that both engines offer a 10 percent reduction in emissions and fuel consumption while putting out between 10- to 15-percent more power than its outgoing mills.

A larger displacement, 2.4-liter inline four with Multiair will also come to market, putting out 190 hp (at 6,000 rpm) and 175 lb.-ft of torque (at 4,200 rpm), and along with the new trio of four-cylinders, Chrysler announced specs on the new Pentastar V6. Displacing 3.6 liters and putting out 280 hp (at 6,400 rpm) and 260 lb-ft of torque (at 4,400 rpm), the new six will see similar fuel consumption and emissions reductions and will be fitted to the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee later this year.

In 2010, Chrysler says that it will begin to equip its mid-size vehicles (D-segment) with a new six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT), that improves fuel economy and can handle up to 260 lb-ft of torque. Expect to see the new tranny making its way into the next-generation Sebring and Chrysler’s new crossovers.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Chrysler announced its intentions to bring a hybrid Ram 1500 market this year, along with working with the Department of Energy to build a small test fleet of plug-in Rams and minivans, including an electric delivery van for fleet use in 2011 or 2012. All the details are available in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler releases details on Fiat-infused fours, new V6

Chrysler releases details on Fiat-infused fours, new V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Jeep, Specialty, Off-Road

Few cars are as iconic as the Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that can trace its heritage directly back to General Patton storming the Third Army up to Messina. Maybe a Porsche 911, maybe. Mini? Not really. Harley-Davidson is probably the closest, but they only have two wheels and aren’t cars. The reason we’re harping on this heritage angle is that after a twenty-year absence, Jeep’s bringing back the Islander. Having grown up in Southern California and spent many a summer bumming around the beach, the Islander brings back many happy memories.

Obviously, the Jeep Wrangler Islander is beach themed. Also, water is wet. That said, you get a tropical “Tiki Bob” decal planted next to the coordinates 21° North and 157° West. That’s Honolulu for you non-gazatteer types. Similar to most old YJ-based Islanders, this version is painted ocean-blue – Surf Blue Pearl Coat if you want to get specific. You can also get the Islander in white, silver or black, but why? You also get some interior touches, like seats with Surf Blue inserts and another Tiki Bob, this time embroidered into the back seat. All that beach themed fun can be yours for just $1,120 over sticker.

Jeep also showed us the Wrangler Mountain. Long story made real short, the Mountain is the Islander with different stickers, a painted grille and no heritage/nostalgic childhood memories. There’s also an odd, flat-black hunk of plastic covering most of the hood that we’re scratching our heads over. And… any questions? The cost of entry is $1,820. Oh, and the degrees on the Mountain’s decal are 27° South, 88 66° West. We’ll let you figure out where in the world that is. Have fun!

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Jeep]

Detroit 2010: Jeep Wrangler Islander and Mountain fill out the range originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Diesel, Off-Road

If there’s one single item we think the Jeep Wrangler sorely needs, it’s a new powertrain. The current 3.8-liter V6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission are extremely long in the tooth and make Chrysler’s mountain goat feel downright anemic when traveling on paved roads. It could be argued that a small-displacement diesel engine would be the ideal way to add some much-needed grunt and improved fuel efficiency to the iconic off-roader, but apparently that’s not going to happen – at least not here in the United States.

Says Michael Manley, president and chief executive officer of the Jeep brand, “We have no plans at the moment for diesel Jeeps in North America, although one of the things I’ve learned in this business is to never say never… I wouldn’t rule it out, but specifically on Nov. 4, we were commenting on diesel in Europe.”

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean the 70-year-old Civilian Jeep won’t get any updates at all. According to the Toledo Blade – the Jeep brand’s hometown newspaper – Chrysler is likely to use its new Pentastar V6 engine, which we’d hope would also include a new six-speed automatic transmission, in the Wrangler starting next summer. Also, we’re told that more special edition models will join the recently unveiled Islander and Mountain models. Thanks for the tip, Tom!

[Source: Toledo Blade]

No diesel Jeep Wranger for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Jeep, Fiat, Rumormill

Three months ago, Chrysler – under the control of Italian automaker Fiat after going through bankruptcy proceedings in the United States – unveiled a sweeping five-year business plan that would either replace or comprehensively rework every single product in the Pentastar’s lineup. Included amongst the casualties will be the Jeep Patriot and Compass twins at the end of 2012.

Industry analysts have widely speculated that America would get a version of the Fiat Panda wearing the famous seven-slot Jeep grille. That vehicle would occupy the small end of the market, meaning that Jeep would need something to fall size-wise between it and the larger Grand Cherokee.

According to Autocar, Jeep will get another new CUV using an as-yet-unknown nameplate (Liberty?) that would be based on the Fiat’s C-EVO platform – which will also be used for a number of Chrysler’s midsize sedans and crossovers. We would imagine that the Jeep version would get suitably capable off-road equipment, but that remains to be seen.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: C-EVO-based Jeep on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Recalls, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

The Office of Defects Investigation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of some 24,177 late-model Chrysler Group vehicles over potentially faulty brakes. The problem effects the MY2010 Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, and the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram.

The problem in question involves a retaining clip for the brake booster input rod – part of the brake hydraulics – which could be either be deformed or missing entirely. In such cases, the brakes could fail entirely and, suffice it to say, cause a crash.

If you own one of these 24,000 vehicles, the government agency advises that you contact your local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer for servicing post-haste. Details in recall notice after the jump.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Recall issued for potential brake failure on 2010 Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles

Recall issued for potential brake failure on 2010 Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Toyota

Through March 1, 2010 , Chrysler is offering a $1,000 incentive for owners of the Toyota Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra who wish to switch to a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep-branded truck. Chrysler’s reasoning? Top Ram brand executive Fred Diaz says that Chrysler invented the minivan and “the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is Motor Trend magazine’s ‘Truck of the Year’ and the Ram 1500 is our most awarded truck ever.”

There’s money on the table for current Toyota lessees, too: $1,000 for drivers with expiring Toyota leases who switch to any Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle. The new offers took effect as of yesterday. Hit the jump to read over the press release.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler jumps on bandwagon, offers incentives to Toyota customers

Chrysler jumps on bandwagon, offers incentives to Toyota customers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

JeepGarage.org was the first to get spy shots of the 2011 Jeep Cherokee out testing, and now it’s apparently come through with exhaustive – perhaps complete – pricing of Jeep’s ‘I’m bringing sexy back’ SUV. According to the documents, the all-new Cherokee will start at $31,480 (including destination charges) for the base Laredo “E” 4×2, climbing to $45,770 for the Overland-trim 4×4. For comparison’s sake, the outgoing 2010 model starts at $31,490 including freight, leaving a Hamilton left over to top off the gas tank.

In addition to the new paints and packages, there are 46 new standard and optional features. Some of them are unequivocally true and new, like including two transfer cases, Adaptive Speed Control, a larger fuel tank, dual-pane sunroof, bi-Xenon headlamps, and of course, illuminated cupholders. Others, like the “Best-in-class premium interior” we’re going to have to see to validate.

On top of that are eight pre-packaged trim groups: Electronic Infotainment System, Luxury II, Off Road I & II, Popular Equipment Group, Technology Group, Trailer Tow, and Trailer Tow IV. Naturally, they can’t be had across the model range, and a couple of them have intriguing requirements, like the Luxury II which can only be fitted to the Limited models that have the black/light frost beige interior. The new model will finally go on sale later this year, and the way it’s looking, this Cherokee might just fulfill the promise of its reveal, and its maker.

[Source: Jeep Garage]

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing, options leaked? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is creeping back into the news at a steady rate, meaning that Team Pentastar must be fairly close to releasing its first all-new product in some time (read: forever). Just yesterday, we received what appears to be an early peek into Grand Cherokee pricing, and now we have access to a cornucopia of pics of a pair of Jeep’s finest traversing the fabled Rubicon Trail.

According to the Jeep Jamboree Facebook page, the 2011 Grand Cherokees were being driven by a group of Jeep engineers testing the vehicle before they go on sale later this year. Since the Grand Cherokee is supposed to be the chief of the Jeep lineup, we’re guessing that the rough-and-ready SUVs need to absolutely ace the Rubicon to earn the all-important Trail Rated badge. Click on the gallery below to check out the two Grand Cherokees as they crawl up and over some inhospitable rocks, and head over to Jeep Jamboree’s Facebook page to see even more pics.

[Source: Facebook]

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles Rubicon looking to become Trail Rated originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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