SidoniaBarner632

With the introduction of the initial Grand Cherokee, Jeep defined and developed the luxury sport utility car (SUV) marketplace, but in spite of this grand tradition the model is currently experiencing some troubles. Jeep not only defined what an SUV was, it was the SUV industry in the USA with the inception of the Cherokee and later on Grand Cherokee. This is no longer the case. The expanding list of strong competitors has intensified, and along with high fuel costs, this has lead to some critical challenges to Chrysler in spite of Jeeps combination of legendary 4x4 capabilities, on and off-road refinements, and technological innovations. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the pioneering SUVs that ushered in the modern SUV market place in the early 1990s. When it debuted, the Grand Cherokee represented a larger and far more refined version of Jeep's smaller but well-known Cherokee. The company's designers wanted the Grand Cherokee it to be maneuverable enough for city driving, roomy adequate for the complete family members, stylish adequate to take out on the town and rugged adequate to reach those remote camping areas. The Grand Cherokee surely met all of these requirements and, we feel that Jeep continues with this tradition in its current Grand Cherokee version. The 2005/2006 version of the Grand Cherokee, which is the models 3rd generation, is 1 of the best SUVs made, and as one critic place it arguably the most desirable. With some of the outstanding available characteristics of complete-time 4-wheel drive, independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, a five-speed transmission, and an obtainable 5.7-Liter HEMI V-8 with MDS, which deactivates up to 8 cylinders when not necessary for much better gas mileage efficiency, the Grand Cherokee is featured packed. Safety functions consist of Electronic Stability Plan, SmartBeam headlamps that automatically and speedily adjust high-beam brightness and intensity, All-Speed Traction Control Method, and advanced multi-stage air bags with an Occupant Classification Technique. The appear and really feel of the body was also updated to give it an edgy angular appear, which looks new and modern even though retaining that Grand Cherokee style with the renowned 7-slot Jeep grille. Chrysler also gave the Grand Cherokee an updated suspension program that delivers much better corning turning efficiency and a tighter turning radius. In spite of these leading-of-the-line characteristics, Grand Cherokee sales in the USA for 2006 (ending December 31, 2006) had been 139,148 units, which were down from 213,584 in 2005. This represents a decline of 35%. Jeeps smaller SUV, the Liberty, also saw its numbers drop dramatically in 2006 with unit sales of 133,557 versus unit sales of 166,883 for 2005, a 20% decline. Whilst it doesnt necessarily make Chrysler really feel any far better, they were not alone in decreased sales in the SUV segment. Other USA car makers also seasoned declines. Ford seasoned a 25% drop in its SUV sales for the USA, while GMs truck sales had been down 9.6% (two,499,269 for 2006 versus two,765,809) (comprehensive overall performance reports for GMs SUVs was not obtainable). The decline in SUV sales, particularly mid-range models, was affected by the dramatic value increases in gasoline in the course of 2006. This along with luxury SUV models by BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, and Porshe, and mid-priced SUVs by Mitsubishi, Toyota and others experiencing a surge in popularity is creating a sizable challenge to Chrysler. With its outstanding functions, Jeep tradition, and the Daimler-Chrysler technologies behind it, we look for the Grand Cherokee to make a powerful return in the future. next