I have posted this letter to the Australian GM of CJD today - the response will be interesting.
The General Manager
Chrysler Jeep Dodge Australia
44 Lexia Place
Mulgrave
VIC 3170
Dear Sir,
I have been a Jeep supporter for the past 7 years since I purchased my first KJ CRD in 2003. I currently own a 2006 build KJ CRD which is, unfortunately, 3 months outside its warranty period.
Two weeks ago my wife and I started what was intended to be a 10,000km trip from Brisbane to Broome and back trip in company with two other vehicles, all towing camper trailers. However my Jeep started making a screeching noise when the clutch was depressed about 4 days into the trip: this was diagnosed as a failed clutch release bearing. We drove on to Mt Isa and took the Jeep to the local Toyota dealer as there are no Jeep dealers in that town. The service manager suggested that the pressure plate may also have been damaged and recommended that we replaced this as well. However investigations determined that there were no replacement parts in Australia, and since our companions could not afford to wait around for 2-3 weeks for a part to arrive from Singapore they continued on their trip and we arranged to have the Jeep shipped home to Brisbane: by this time the Mt Isa workshop had removed the gearbox and confirmed that the pressure plate release fingers had been damaged by the failed bearing.
I have now ordered a new clutch assembly from a Jeep dealer in the UK and it will be flown out to me this week. This whole incident raises questions to which I would appreciate your response.
1. Why is it that an essential component such as a clutch kit is not held in stock in Australia? I would have thought that sensible stock-keeping would have ensured that new stock was ordered when the stock level dropped to 2 or 3 units.
2. How does Chrysler Jeep justify pricing such a component at A$730 in Australia when the identical genuine Mopar part can be purchased for A$265 in the UK, inclusive of the local 17.5% VAT? Shipping costs cannot be the answer, as even with the cost of airfreighting a single item I have ended up paying less than the cost in Australia.
The ridiculous cost of Jeep parts in Australia is a common topic on the various Jeep forum websites, and many Jeep enthusiasts order their spare parts from the US or UK. I shall soon be needing to replace my timing belt and know I can save around A$500 by ordering the parts from the VM specialist in the UK.
I will be posting a copy of this letter on the web forums “ausjeepoffroad” and “LOST Downunder” and will also post your response, unless you request otherwise.
Yours sincerely
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