Jeep Liberty (KJ/KK) Sales (updated thru 12/31/2010)

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:38 am

LibertyCRD wrote:

The XJ is quite possibly the greatest thing (next to the Wrangler lineage) that Jeep has ever done.

There’s nothing really “GREAT” about the XJ, but it has always been one of my favorite Jeeps. It’s definitely a good looking Jeep while serving a functional purpose. I’m in the process of building and restoring mine.

I think it would be cool if Jeep decided to bring back the XJ, like they did with the Charger, Challenger. Something that looks very similar but updated.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:25 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

LibertyCRD wrote:

The XJ is quite possibly the greatest thing (next to the Wrangler lineage) that Jeep has ever done.

There’s nothing really “GREAT” about the XJ, but it has always been one of my favorite Jeeps. It’s definitely a good looking Jeep while serving a functional purpose. I’m in the process of building and restoring mine.
[quote]

Yeah but look at what they did with the XJ. First of all, it started the entire SUV craze. It started the unibody platform for SUVs to save weight and fuel. It was one of the most practical and simple and rugged SUVs in history. And it probably had the most steady sales during it's nearly 20 year existence of any SUV ever built. As the old saying goes, it "was everything you need, and nothing you don't". It really solidified the Jeep name amongst the masses, and for that reason it will go down as one of the greatest things Jeep has ever done.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:49 pm

What is all comes down to is that jeep needs a diesel and a truck plat form. Preferable like they use to have one smaller truck and one larger both with a diesel. And with a few offered packages such as renegade, rocky moutain, limited, and sport. Give us a truck that is rugged and can handle itself off road right out of the box. I mean ford has introduced small version of thier power stroke in v-6 form and put it in some deliever style vehicals. Next they are talking about putting it in the f-150's and if they do i will definitely buy one. This is a market niche that needs to be filled and jeep has the perfect set of diesels to do it with they just have to take the plung.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:58 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

Yeah but look at what they did with the XJ. First of all, it started the entire SUV craze. It started the unibody platform for SUVs to save weight and fuel. It was one of the most practical and simple and rugged SUVs in history. And it probably had the most steady sales during it's nearly 20 year existence of any SUV ever built. As the old saying goes, it "was everything you need, and nothing you don't". It really solidified the Jeep name amongst the masses, and for that reason it will go down as one of the greatest things Jeep has ever done.

I agree, that's why I own one.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:00 pm

audiboy86 wrote:

What is all comes down to is that jeep needs a diesel and a truck plat form. Preferable like they use to have one smaller truck and one larger both with a diesel. And with a few offered packages such as renegade, rocky moutain, limited, and sport. Give us a truck that is rugged and can handle itself off road right out of the box. I mean ford has introduced small version of thier power stroke in v-6 form and put it in some deliever style vehicals. Next they are talking about putting it in the f-150's and if they do i will definitely buy one. This is a market niche that needs to be filled and jeep has the perfect set of diesels to do it with they just have to take the plung.

You might be interested in the new Mahindra truck coming out. It has a diesel, solid front axle, lockers, and will net 28 mpg.

InCommando · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:26 pm

Mahindra: And God knows that nothing says "quailty, reliability, and ruggedness" like "made in India".... :mrgreen:

The XJ was not really rugged when compared to a KJ. They had serious body integrity & rigidity issues, many of the engine/transmission choices over the years downright sucked, and the most common rear axle was the disposable D35. I own and love an MJ ( which improves on the rigidity with an actual boxed frame under 2/3rds of the vehicle) but I am not about to put blinders on about it or its sister, the XJ. Getting into and out of even a 4dr XJ is a pain, and the KJ blows it away in rear seat comfort.

As 'wheelers, they are considered almost disposable when pushed hard unless they are heavily modified. The 4.0 has great longevity, but would be a disappointment if the XJ wasn't 1,000 #'s lighter than a KJ. None of that screams rugged unless the marketers fooled ya into thinking "box = tough."

As to the start of the SUV craze: If you conveniently overlook the Wagoneer (1963 -1991) and the real Cherokee (1974-1983), you may have an argument as long as you dismiss the Bronco, Scout, Commando, etc... as having too much SUV and not enough SUV.

Year-to-year sales of the KJ are very similar to the XJ's on average. And for those wanting a boxy SUV to be considered as "rugged," I present the KK..... :wink:

DoubleK · **Posted:** Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:41 pm

my friend has a 01 XJ and he has a 4" skyjacker and 31's i think and he has wayyyyy more clearance than i do an i have a 3.5" RK lift. XJ's tend to have A LOT better ground clearance than KK's. i personally have no prob with any Jeep, but it is SUCH a pain to find parts for my Jeep, its annoying. :banghead:

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2010 1:10 am

Try owning a CRD love love this vehical but do i hate it when it comes to finding parts. And paying them is never fun either :furious:

k99jk99j · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 4:23 pm

according to this link 2010 sales are 15% ahead of 2009 sales44,555 liberties have been sold thru the end of november :BANANA:

Link:
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/20 ... ales-up-17

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:25 pm

k99jk99j wrote:

according to this link 2010 sales are 15% ahead of 2009 sales 44,555 liberties have been sold thru the end of november :BANANA:

Link:
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/20 ... ales-up-17

Encouraging.

After the first of the year, after the full 2010 numbers are out, I plan to update the charts and info that originated this thread so all the data will be in complete calendar years.

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:18 pm

Now that Chrysler had published December's sales info, here's updated info through 12/31/2010 so all info is based upon full calendar years. Jeep Liberty (KK) sales were up 14% in 2010 over the horrible vehicle sales year of 2009.

As with before,for those not aware, this board allows an image larger than shown to be uploaded. If you click on the green square in the upper lefthand corner, it will show the larger image. Click on the enlarged image again to make it go away and back to the post.

Chart I made of annual Jeep Liberty sales (through 12/31/2010):

Again, assuming 75% of Libertys sold in 2007 were KJ models and the remaining 25% were KK models, this puts the current totals so far at about:

So, still more than 5 times as many KJs around than KKs.....

Here's my table showing distribution amongst Jeep models (through 12/31/2010):

and in Chart format (through 12/31/2010):

I'm still

Kingmick217 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:35 pm **Posts:** 27

Now here's an idea... Just throwing it out there.
In an effort to stream-line the Jeep line-up and to expedite and production and sales I suggest to Chrysler the following:

I suggest that they have three basic platforms.

At the Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, MI

Jeep Grand Cherokee would continue production in its familiar fashion.
Notable exceptions would include more basic package availability.
Manual windows, locks, no cruise, no a/c, etc.
Engine availability (1) turbo diesel 4cyl, (1) V6 (baseline), (3) V8 {1 being supercharged}
transfer-case NV242
Priceline $28k-$60k.

Toledo North Assembly in Toledo OH

Jeep Liberty would cease production under the KK platform. The KK platform would be re-bodied by the Jeep Renegade concept, and a four and two door hatchback (think AMC Eagle). By utilizing lighter materials and lower roof line, would trim a lot of weight and excess fat from these vehicles. Trim levels would include basic vinyl and crank windows to trim levels similar to the current KK Limited standards.
Engine availability (1) 4cyl (baseline), (1) turbo diesel 4cyl, (1) V6
These vehicles should not be trail rated.
Both Patriot and Compass would cease production.
transfer-case NV142, NV242
Jeep Renegade Priceline $28k-$45k.
Jeep Eagle Priceline $15k-$32k.

Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo OH

The Jeep Wrangler JK (or the next evolution) Would see the most significant changes. The Wrangler would become the main "base" vehicle for the Jeep fleet. The width, front clip, and basic body structure would remain the same throughout the line-up. Changes in minor body retooling and drivetrain availability would be the most significant.
2dr Wrangler, {conv. 95.4" wheel base}
4dr Liberty, {95.4" wheel base} (think Dakar concept)
4dr Wrangler, {conv. 116" wheel base}
4dr Commander, {116" wheel base} (tin top 4dr wrangler)
2dr Gladiator, {126" wheel base} (Half-cab LWB pick-up)
2dr DK, {126" wheel base} (tin top 4dr Commander)
4dr Gladiator Crew, {126" wheel base} (the SUT version)

Engine availability (1) 4cyl (baseline), (1) turbo diesel 4cyl, (1) V6, (2) V8
2 AT transmissions {1 HD}, 1 5-speed (baseline), 1 HD 6-speed
transfer-case NV231, NV241, NV242
Axle combo availability Dana 30/35, Dana 30/44, Dana 44/44, Dana 44/60

2dr Wrangler Priceline $15k-$30k
4dr Liberty Priceline $20k-$35k
4dr Wrangler Priceline $20k-$35k
4dr Commander Priceline $25k-$50k
2dr Gladiator Priceline $18k-$38k
2dr DK Priceline $20k-$40k
4dr Gladiator Crew Priceline $23k-$43k

Packages available threw-out
Rubicon (Awesomeness)
Sahara edition (hot desert conditions)
Laredo (luxury)
Brute (towing)
Fargo (extreme cold) :ROTFL:

just an idea...
BTW Chrysler I'd be interested in a consulting job LOL!

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

LibertyCRD wrote:

Yeh, we had a Commander. It was built on the Grand Cherokee chassis. We didn't realize that until the salesman showed us. I crawled under and checked it out... yup...all Grand Cherokee. Why built two vehicles that are indentical except for the body design?? STUPID. Also...that 3rd row seat was 90% useless. The seat cushions literally sat on the floor. So the only way you could ride back there is if you were less than 3' tall. It was a total joke. My wife drove that thing for a few months and immediately said she missed her Liberty. I hated riding in it because the dash came up so high you couldn't see out the windshield hardly. The Commander is just wrong...all wrong. No wonder they never sold well.

actually, not quite so stupid. the highlighted describes Chrysler throughout most of the 80s and 90s. They used the concept of near-identical cars to great sales success with all of the K-cars and variants they developed. Really there's nothing wrong with the idea... GM and a host of other manufacturers have been seriously looking at the concept of taking this to the extreme... various body shells that just bolt up to a drivetrain skeleton and off you go with a "different" vehicle, to the point where it could almost be done by the consumer. Imagine having a sports car, SUV, minivan, cargo van, "shell" sitting on the lot where you can within an hour or so swap bodies on the chassis and away you go. If you can make several different vehicles, all with for example 90% same components then you can achieve a much higher economy of scale for many important metrics... cheaper component costs, quicker return on investment, lower technician training costs, etc. mind you i'm not speaking to idiocy regarding pour design choices though... just the utilization of "sameness" across an entire fleet of vehicles.

Black_Dog · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:48 pm

The problems with the Commander had nothing to do with the fact that it was built on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee. From an automotive design standpoint, it is brilliant to leverage products that way if it is done well (i.e. if the products are distinct, not rebadged junk like the GM X-body cars of the ‘80s). It saves a lot of development and production costs.

I test drove a Commander a couple of times and overall was favorably impressed. I thought it had a great ride, powerful engine (I tested it with the standard 4.7L V8), rugged looks, and trim offroad-friendly proportions (compared to its gargantuan competitors). The third-row seats weren’t practical except for small kids or pets, but made for a nice storage area.

But the Commander had two fatal flaws. First, the interior was horrendous compared to its competitors. It used poor quality, ill fitted plastics. The leather seat covers seemed to come from sickly thin-skinned cows. And the quality of the components and switchgear felt like Happy Meal toys.

The second fatal flaw was its timing – right in the middle of the oil commodities trading bubble. It came with three engine options:
• 3.7L V6 that gets crappy fuel economy
• 4.7L V8 that gets crappy fuel economy
• Hemi V8 that get crappy fuel economy

Despite this, during the first two full years of production, the Commander sold well. In fact, in 2006, Jeep sold more Commanders than Wranglers in all but two of the ten years of the last decade.
And 2006 and 2007, the Commander’s sales killed the sales of the Compass or Patriot in any year.

I think if Jeep could have invested a little more in interior improvements and had a viable diesel option, Commander could have been a modest long term success.

Jeep Liberty (KJ/KK) Sales (updated thru 12/31/2010)

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