Who didn't see this coming?

[SVT666]

Ok.  A show of hands please.  Who didn't see this one coming?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/01/22/report-chrysler-likely-to-discontinue-jeep-commander/

[JYODER240]

This is one of the few SUV's that I like. Oh well, i wasn't planning on ever buying on.

[TheIntrepid]

I didn't see it coming. I thought the Commander was doing fine.

[thewizard16]

Eh, they couldn't have expected that look to appeal to everyone, especially in a crowded SUV market where their vehicle has nothing special going for it except the Jeep name.

[the Teuton]

At the offroad course at the autoshow last year, there was a Rubicon and then a Commander after it.  When my dad and I got to take a ride, we were put in the Commander, even though I would have loved a spot in the Wrangler.  Somehow, the test driver managed to get it stuck on the log poles sticking up from the ground for a good 10 minutes, while the Rubi went right over it like it was nothing.  The thing also has a horrible departure angle.  The interior was nice though, IMO, but it sucked at being a Jeep.

[gasoline]

I quite liked how it looked.

[nickdrinkwater]

It only just came out didn't it?

I guess it's kinda pointless having this when there's the Grand Cherokee as well.  I have seen a few Commanders but a lot more GCs.

At least it's more of a Jeep than the new Compass.

[93JC]

I guess it's kinda pointless having this when there's the Grand Cherokee as well.

The whole point of the Commander was to be a seven-seat Grand Cherokee. There has never been a seven-seat Jeep, and it was a market Chrysler felt they were missing out on in North America. (even though they already have the Dodge Durango...)

[TheIntrepid]

The whole point of the Commander was to be a seven-seat Grand Cherokee. There has never been a seven-seat Jeep, and it was a market Chrysler felt they were missing out on in North America. (even though they already have the Dodge Durango...)

and now the Aspen

[GoCougs]

What I find amazing is that it sold 88,000 its first full year; heavy discounting or not. That's more than the Expedition, Suburban, Yukon, Sequoia, Armada, Pathfinder, and a number of other mid- and full-size SUVs.

FWIW, I thought it was Aztek in its styling.

[the Teuton]

I thought it was pointless.  I think Jeep is going in the wrong direction--or at least needs to pick a direction.

[ifcar]

I expect them to just enlarge the next Grand Cherokee to include a third row, or just make something the same size but more space-efficient.

[Soup DeVille]

I thought it was pointless.? I think Jeep is going in the wrong direction--or at least needs to pick a direction.

Exactly: there's no need for Jeep to be a full-line SUV brand. DCX has Dodge to fill that role. Jeep needs to remain a brand that appeals primarily to those who want a capable off-road vehicle, not a line of rebadged offerings from other divisions.

If there's a hole in their line-up, its that there may be a market for a smaller Jeep that's closer to a CJ's dimensions than the JKs are for the truly nutty.

[Raza]

Damn.  I loved it.  Looked like a G class.

[Rupert]

We need something bigger than a YJ (or is it TJ?) but smaller than a Grand Cherokee. It should be good offroad, with solid axles and lots of clearance, as well as good approach/departure angles. We need... The Cherokee!

[SVT666]

Jeep needs to pick a direction and stick to it.? What happened?? Just 5 years ago, everyone knew what the Chrysler Group was all about and what direction it was going, but lately it seems that the company is losing its focus.

[93JC]

We need something bigger than a YJ (or is it TJ?) but smaller than a Grand Cherokee. It should be good offroad, with solid axles and lots of clearance, as well as good approach/departure angles. We need... The Cherokee!

[Galaxy]

One knows a vehicle will fail when it looks like a Beijing Jeep. The 2500, which is based on the Cherokee.

[TheIntrepid]

Mark would have a boner to that one ^

[93JC]

It's nice that they're still making them, but I don't think deep down that I'd really want one.

[TheIntrepid]

It's nice that they're still making them, but I don't think deep down that I'd really want one.

And the truth finally comes out.

[93JC]

A BJC 2500 is a licenced copy: it's a Cherokee, yes, but a Cherokee built by the Chinese using a mish-mash of AMC, Chrysler and unique parts.

Besides, the interior is mostly made from 1997-2001 Cherokee parts, and I hate that interior with a passion.

[Raza]

Jeep needs to pick a direction and stick to it.  What happened?  Just 5 years ago, everyone knew what the Chrysler Group was all about and what direction it was going, but lately it seems that the company is losing its focus.

Yes!  Expanding the Jeep line is ridiculous.  They're moving towards GM like cross competition.

[ifcar]

At the offroad course at the autoshow last year, there was a Rubicon and then a Commander after it.  When my dad and I got to take a ride, we were put in the Commander, even though I would have loved a spot in the Wrangler.  Somehow, the test driver managed to get it stuck on the log poles sticking up from the ground for a good 10 minutes, while the Rubi went right over it like it was nothing.  The thing also has a horrible departure angle.  The interior was nice though, IMO, but it sucked at being a Jeep.

I was at the DC auto show today, and they had the Camp Jeep display as well. The Commander and Grand Cherokee they had in there were really suffering, rocking back and forth with a wheel in the air on the articulation section that the Wranglers and even the Liberty stayed planted on.

[Raza]

Do you think any other vehicles in the JGC and Commander's segments would fare better?

[ifcar]

Couldn't tell you. I'd like to hope so though.

[ro51092]

VW Touareg? 4Runner or Pathfinder?

[Raza]

Couldn't tell you. I'd like to hope so though.

For the record, it wasn't a challenge, it was an honest question.  I know very little about offroading, so I have no evaluations on that market fragment. 

[The Pirate]

The 4Runner is still pretty decent offroad.  I've driven a 4Runner of the past two generations off road, and they both do very well for having IFS.


My car is surprisingly adept off tarmac as well. 

[thewizard16]

The 4Runner is still pretty decent offroad. I've driven a 4Runner of the past two generations off road, and they both do very well for having IFS.


My car is surprisingly adept off tarmac as well.

The old 4Runners are better, but the new ones are still capable.