There are SEVEN jeeps in the 2007 line-up....and many of them are dogs. Whatever the Patriot is, I san't distinguish a need for it. I've been a Jeep guy most of my life, and never known them to have so many models out in one year...with so many mongrels to boot.

What would be your smart line-up? Mine would have NO CARS in it, just higher-ticket SUVs:

Wrangler (Three packages: Bare Bones, Rubicon, and Homeboy/Limited. w/Diesel option in all)
Wrangler Unlimited (With current packages plus diesel option)
Liberty (but on the Unlimited platform...three trim option: Girly-cute, Rubicon, and Homeboy/limited...diesel)
Gladiator (on Unlimited frame, with a few packages plus diesel option)
Grand-Cherokee (aka Soccer mom Jeep, three packages plus diesel option)
Commander Plus (a much bigger version of the current one for the VERY fat-boy camper that I am becoming. Giant engine w/diesel option)

Two frames (but some extended) would save them a lot.

Time to play auto-exec. They certainly are, so why not?

_________________
2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff

I think I pretty much agree with your lineup. I think if Jeep was a standalone company, not part of chrysler/DCX, then the would have room for the Patriot in their lineup.

One thing I would like to see is the availability of any option on any model....say you want a bare bones wrangler, but you would really like leather seats. Fine, put the stinkin' leather seats in as a standalone option, add it to the bill, and dont force me to buy a luxury model. Give the people what they want.

Im still not sure the Commander plus would fly though.

It would be interesting to see if the diesel option is just as popular with this posted in the General section.

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

It sure would with me...my next vehicle will indeed be a diesel...Jeep or not. I would love to own a CRD version of a KJ...not necessarily the new KK...but the same version as we have now...just with a better tranny/TC and all of the problems fixed that you all experience.

As for the Commander Plus...It'd be like another Ford Excursion and if it were availiable in a gas option it would be the biggest gas hog of them all. If they were to come out with something large...of course make it diesel. It just makes sense. I see it this way...look at all the guys that go out and buy silverados (3/4 tons and 1 tons) with 4-doors and extended bed (really looong) but get the gas engine....I'm just like WHAT? I really cant get why anyone would get a truck so big with a gas engine. Maybe its my opinion...but it just seems like a waste. If you have such a big truck in the first place...you want something that can pull and therefore it would only make more sense to have the diesel with better MPG and more torque for pulling or hauling stuff around.

Other than that...I'd pretty much also agree with your lineup. I just really wish they'd keep the old KJ look...but everything passes in time I guess.

_________________
02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

I would drop the Commander and use the Trail Hawk concept (perhaps without all the removable panels)with a HEMI and small V8 Diesel option. The 114 or 116" wheelbase would be the answer to compete in the larger SUV/Pickup arena. It could also be the perfect Tow Vehicle for those that don't want to got to a 2500 pickup and still get a diesel.

I would keep the Liberty the same size it is now. Put the CRD back in if at all possible.

The GC is just about perfect pretty much as is. Especially with Diesel option.

In addition, I would drop all tansmissions and tansfer cases except the 545 with auto-stick and the QDII with the ELSD's.

Dunno about the Patriot....I have mixed emotions about it but I'm not really sure it has a home without competing with other model in the line-up.

_________________
2006 Libery Sport CRD, Lt Kakhi, nicely equipped
*****GDE Hot Tune at 38,879 miles
*****Stock TC.....for the time being!!

I think that Jeep should return to its roots and produce truly off-road capable 4WD's that are ALSO the most fuel-efficient 4WD's--diesel-powered, of course.

1. Put the 2.8 CRD in the Wrangler as the standard engine; make the gasser optional.
2. Re-engineer the Liberty as a solid front-axle 4x4 with higher ground clearance, with the 2.8 CRD standard. Offer a Liberty Rubicon package that's as full-featured as the Wrangler's (i.e. 4:1 transfer case, front sway bar disconnect, etc.)
3. Re-engineer the Grand Cherokee into a solid front axle 4x4 with the 3.0 CRD standard. Rubicon model optional here, too.
4. Develop a mid-size off-road capable 4x4 pickup. Yeah, solid front axle, diesel standard.
5. Dump everything else in model lineup. Let Dodge sell the cute-utes.
6. Oh yeah, fix the myriad of reliability problems that often seem to plague Jeep products.

When fuel flirts with $5.00 to $6.00 per gallon or more (mark my words, it's coming, probably sooner than most people think!), the SUV and truck market is going to retrench to those customers who actually have a need for them. No more cute utes and toys. Those of us who really use a 4x4 for what it's intended are going to go for what I've listed above. Overseas, Toyota, Nissan, etc. have been successfully catering to this market for years, even in places where fuel is very expensive. Off-road capable vehicles with economical diesel engines--those manufacturers figured it out a long time ago.

I would go with this:

Re-do the sheet metal on the new wranglers to be more like the TJ's. I liked them more.
Wrangler would be X,Sport,Rubican and a new version GP which would be the rubicon parts but stripped down to be a mean off roader. Kinda like the the old z-28 option which had all the go fast parts but none of the crap (power windows etc).

I would do it for the unlimited as well- possibly get rid of that stupid four door.

Bring back the idea of the cherokee. Solid axles, body on frame, and all the wrangler parts. Replace the liberty with it. Again the four model lineup- x,sport,rubicon,and GP.

Also bring back the idea of commanche- the pickup version of the cherokee. Right now no one has a half ton worth anything- Jeep can eat everyone alive. Make it just like the toyota hilux and they got a winner.

Liberty gets changed into a subaru fighter. Not so much for offroad anymore the libby gets turned into something like the AMC eagle.

Grand cherokee does whatever it does. Fancy jeep? I don't understand.

Commander gets canned. What a horrible horrible thing that is.

What are those other cars, patriot and what? Turn them into a marketing ploy by pulling them off the lots and feeding them to the new wranglers.

Oh yes and diesel options for all (with manual)- certified to run on american b100- possibly with the new light duty cummins.


Simple linup - made Jeep tonnes of money just like this through the 90's and kept chrysler afloat during the bad years.

Here's my fantasy jeep lineup:

Keep the Wrangler the same, since its the icon Jeep. 2 and 4 doors, same trim lines, diesel available in all. PLUS: Wrangler Renegade is back with supercharged V10 gas or turbo V8 diesel, 10-speed stick-shift for insande on/offroad performance and a hydrualic suspension that can raise/lower 6" at button push.

The Grand Cherokee will now be built on the Ram chassis with seating for eight, huge towing capacity and will be billed as the biggest Jeep ever.

The cars and cute-utes will go away and be replaced with the new JEEP DEFIANT, a AWD extreme-sport sedan to compete with the Subaru. It will have the Wrangler Renegade's engine and transmission options, 33" all-terrains tires, a full armor plate on the bottom for off-roading and be billed as the fastest Jeep on-road or off. The styling will be similar to the Dodge Charger, only the wheel wells will be significantly larger and the car will sit higher.

The Gladiator concept will be the new pickup truck, complete with diesel engine options. It will be a midsize designed to compete with (but outperform) the Colorado, Tacoma and Dakota- especially offroad.

To review:

1) Wrangler Renegade trim line, insane performance in all conditions.
2) New Grand Cherokee, the Godzilla of Jeeps.
3) A car-like Jeep Defiant, in case that Mad Max movie becomes reality
4) The pickup truck Gladiator, just because we can.



Hope you enjoyed my vision of Jeep actually being a cool car company.

_________________
Yours Truly,

Special Agent

Jeep needs to build that- good idea!

I LIKE THIS LINE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome ideas.

_________________
--Greg
2005 CRD Sport in white
2.5" Daystar Lift Kit
245/75/16 Maxxis Buckshot Mudders

Hell, I'd just be happy of they built the Gladiator, don't really care about the rest. The Gladiator is the only thing I'd consider trading my Liberty CRD in for, and even then only if the Gladiator had a diesel option...

_________________
2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD

Thanks!

_________________
Yours Truly,

Special Agent

I dont think I would like the price tag on a lot of that lineup though.

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

There might be some actual good business sense in making an expensive, but smaller total production, both in number of models and total vehicles produced. These guys (Jeep and other US automakers) are going to re-trench and contract ANYWAYS, they are losing money left and right. So, if you HAVE the option of being a smaller, more expensive production vehicle, you can be much more profitable.

Jeep (unlike, say, Dodge,GM or Ford), can actually play the "elite" expensive, high-profit angle. Jeep used to be a premier, more "luxury" type of vehicle, and that might be the only future it could have....
...or they could turn into a mini-van company making these compasses and other cars.

You don't see Land Rover losing money OR diluting their brand with crappy cars.

Keep the ideas coming.

_________________
2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff

I think there is a simple fix for Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep...without duplication of "every" model.

Chrysler...Luxory Orientation with the ASPEN, 300, SEBRING and Upscale Mini Van...a Crossfire type sports car

Dodge...the Muscle Car and Workhorse with the Dodge Trucks, Charger, Large and Small Utility Vans,PT Cruiser and even the Caliber...Limited Edition Viper

Jeep...The Offroad Heritage Orientation with a Gladiator Truck, TrailHawk, Wrangler, Liberty and Patriot...all geared toward rugged use...then a small Diesel Rally Style 2 door car

That gives the customer 18 models to pick from without any duplication between divisions. Stop the duplication of models in each line...consumers will know exactly which line they are looking for by the nature of the lineup...It would be the One-Two-Three wrestling pin! Quit pinching every penny and build a quality product with a real warranty. Put PRIDE back into building a vehicle!

_________________
Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph