New Jeep Commander Receives Warm Welcome
In spite of reported over-all declining sales in SUVs, Jeep has
seen its two largest entries into this Auto segment enjoying
surprising results for the month of October 2005. As reported in
the article "Topic: Big trouble for big SUVs: Sales and prices
of used-utes continue to slide" in an edition of the Automotive
News,
"Prices are falling, and they are falling fast," Webb says.
Sales of new large SUVs plummeted 48.1 percent in September from
a year ago. For the first nine months of 2005, those sales were
15.5 percent below the same period last year.
Daimler-Chrysler reported that sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
and the newly available 2006 Jeep Commander were surprisingly
strong during October 2005. Reported sales of the Grand Cherokee
were 14,298 Grand Cherokees sold, a 6% increase from October
2004, and it was reported that there were 3,241 units for the
Commander sold in October 2005. This sales figure was achieved
in spite of the fact that the Commander was still being
distributed to dealers during the month.
Why has Jeep been able to go against the tide? Maybe its because
they are staying in touch with their past while offering
improved technology and more features. This can be seen with
Jeep's latest introduction to their family, the Commander. The
Commander is Jeep's answer to the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe,
Cadillac Escalades, and Toyota Sequoias. In body style the
Commander is a bit of a throwback, recalling the boxy design of
the once popular Willys Station Wagon, the Jeep Wagoneer, and
the more recent Cherokee. While Jeep returned to its roots in
the body style, it has added quite a few new features and
options. The more basic additions are a 3rd row of seating and
stadium styled seating (each row is slightly elevated above the
row in front of it), which offers a good view for all seats.
Some outstanding features include All-Speed Traction Control
System (TCS), BeltAlert, Digressive Load Limiting Seat Belt
Retractors, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Electronic Stability
Program (ESP), Emergency Brake Assist, Enhanced Accident
Response System, Parksense Rear Back-up Detection System, and
the Tire Pressure Monitor and Warning Signal. Many of the new
technology systems are designed to improve vehicle handling and
safety. ESP enhances driver control and helps manage directional
stability under various driving conditions. When the system
picks up a noticeable difference between the vehicle's direction
and the driver's intended track, ESP offers selective braking
and throttle control to place the vehicle back onto the driver's
intended path. The Electronic Roll Mitigation system monitors
the vehicle's roll attitude and lateral pressures to determine
rollover potential. When necessary it will reduce engine torque
along with a burst of braking applied to the appropriate wheel
to assist in stabilizing the vehicle. In other words, it
monitors, anticipates, and takes the necessary steps to help
avoid rollovers. TCS improves mobility and helps to prevent
wheel slippage when accelerating on slick driving surfaces. This
system utilizes throttle control as well as the brake
application of older traction systems. This state-of-the-art
technology provides a more smooth and controlled response over
past systems. Other available options are third seat comfort
controls, a DVD entertainment system for the back, power
sun-roof and Command-View skylights above the second row,
digital read-out for tire pressure, alarm system, a hands-free
communication system, a DVD navigation system, and
Daimler-Chrysler's patented SmartBeam headlamp system. An
offroad package is also available that includes a steel transfer
case skid plate, fuel tank skid plate, and all-terrain tires.
What about the engine? You can choose between two V-8 choices
and a 3.7 liter V-6. An option sure to gain the automotive
enthusiast's attention, is the powerful 5.7 liter V-8 Hemi with
Daimler-Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) option. MDS
turns off unnecessary cylinders (up to 4) for maximizing fuel
efficiency when the additional power is not needed. This system
is said to boost fuel economy up to 20%! With MDS you have the
power when you want it, but enjoy better fuel economy when you
don't.
There's no mistaking it, the Commander is feature loaded and
that's probably why its been received warmly in the marketplace
while other SUVs are taking a pounding. It's not a complete love
affair, however. The Commander already has its critics. In his
article "2006 Jeep Commander" on www.autoblog.com, Dave Thomas
states, "The Jeep Commander has to be one of the most
unappealing vehicles, as far as appearance, we've seem in this
site's ten months of existence. In recent times, only the
Pontiac Aztec has been uglier." Later on he says, "I'm sorry
DCX, this is the first misstep you've made since the 300." While
I agree with him that the Commander is boxy, I do not agree that
it's ugly. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder. To
me, a l ong-time Jeep enthusiast, the Commander brings back
memories of past Jeeps I mentioned earlier and this look should
play well with other Jeep enthusiasts looking for an SUV.
Further, the feature loaded Commander looks like it is priced to
sell with a basic dealer MSRP of $27,290.00.
Volvo made the boxy look sexy with safety as its core feature,
and who is to say that Daimler-Chrysler cannot do the same. The
early vote says that this boxy-looking vehicle with its
outstanding features is winning people over. Americans want
safety on the road, and as long as gas prices do not go
absolutely crazy again, it looks like demand will hold up well
for this new feature packed SUV.