Hot Liberty CRD Makes

[BMWDave]

Hot Liberty CRD Makes Jeep Scramble for More Diesel Engines
Date Posted 06-17-2005


CHELSEA, Mich. ? The Chrysler Group is arm wrestling Italian engine supplier VM Motori to get more diesels so that it can increase production of the hot 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD.

Jeff Bell, vice president of Chrysler and Jeep, told Inside Line that the automaker was "hoping to get two times as many" diesel engines from VM Motori as originally requested. That would give Jeep the ability to build up to 10,000 units of the Liberty CRD by the end of this year. VM Motori is a DaimlerChrysler group member.

The Liberty CRD is so hot, Bell said, that "only the [Chrysler] 300 is selling faster in the Chrysler Group." By the end of May, more than 6,000 Liberty CRDs had been shipped to dealers. Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche originally said 5,000 units of the Liberty CRD would be built through 2005.

"We've been surprised by how much demand we've had," said Bell, referring to the Liberty CRD. "But Americans are naturally curious, and we will continue to promote it as an alternative."

The Liberty CRD is powered by a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder, common-rail, turbodiesel. Jeep says the Liberty CRD gets 22-percent higher fuel economy than the gas-powered Liberty, which uses the 3.7-liter, V6 engine.

Jeep does not plan to raise the price on the Liberty CRD in response to consumer demand, Bell said.

What this means to you: It may be easier to get your hands on a Liberty CRD in the future, but because of the fickle nature of American consumers, Jeep isn't committing to a huge volume increase.

[TBR]

"Jeep does not plan to raise the price on the Liberty CRD in response to consumer demand, Bell said."

Good, I was afraid that might happen. I hope this means we will be getting more diesel powered vehicles from DaimlerChrysler :).  

[BMWDave]

"Jeep does not plan to raise the price on the Liberty CRD in response to consumer demand, Bell said."

Good, I was afraid that might happen. I hope this means we will be getting more diesel powered vehicles from DaimlerChrysler :).

And other manufacturers too.  Diesels have a lot of potential here, and I hope other manufacturers see that.

[TBR]

Just checked the numbers, the CDI gets 21/26 mpg compared to 17/22 mpg for a 4x4 3.7l auto (the CDI is 4x4 and auto only) for only $2000 more (you could easily get that back thanks to better resale value besides the fuel economy difference (assuming the price of diesel goes back down sometime soon of course)).  

[Secret Chimp]

Why are some engine options auto-only? Do they not have a manual transmission compatible with it (why did they build it that way in the first place?) or is it some kind of packaging/electronics problem?

[Catman]

I wish my Sequoia had a nice I6 diesel with a turbo!   The 4.7L is great engine though.

[Raza]

Mercedes Benz was the first company to sell a diesel passenger car, so DCX selling more diesels makes sense.

[ifcar]

"Jeep does not plan to raise the price on the Liberty CRD in response to consumer demand, Bell said."

Good, I was afraid that might happen. I hope this means we will be getting more diesel powered vehicles from DaimlerChrysler :).

They won't officially raise prices, but the actual selling prices will undoubtedly be higher compared to sticker than other Liberty models. Also, they may reduce rebates/incentives for the CRD version.

[Tom]

No stick with the diesel?  WTF?

[R33 GT-R]

They don't have a clue as far as 4x4 enthusiasts are considered with the stick and diesel.  Tons of custom rock crawlers are running them now, for torque and consumption.

[TBR]

I understand why people are disappointed that the CRD is auto only, but, realistically, how many actual buyers will regret the lack of a manual tranismission option?  

[ifcar]

The same buyers looking for fuel economy in a diesel would also tend to prefer the fuel economy of a manual.  

[R33 GT-R]

The same buyers looking for fuel economy in a diesel would also tend to prefer the fuel economy of a manual.

right on ifcar

[TBR]

The same buyers looking for fuel economy in a diesel would also tend to prefer the fuel economy of a manual.

True, but I still don't think it will be that big of a deal to potential consumers.  

[ifcar]

They've already had to increase supply as it is, so that's possible. But I'd bet if they included a manual it would account for at least a full third of sales.

[TBR]

They've already had to increase supply as it is, so that's possible. But I'd bet if they included a manual it would account for at least a full third of sales.

Maybe so, but they are already can't build enough of them so it really doesn't matter.

[ifcar]

They could always fix that by raising the price.

[TBR]

They could always fix that by raising the price.

Why would they want to do that? Hype is good.  

[ifcar]

Profit is nice, too. One common reason for low production of a niche vehicle is that they may be selling them at a loss (entirely speculating here).

[93JC]

No stick with the diesel?  WTF?

It wasn't designed to mate to a manual. Even the overseas models use the 5-speed automatic.

[cawimmer430]

I think the Euro Jeep Liberty has a manual option for the diesel.  B)  

[ifcar]

93JC just said that there wasn't.

This is interesting: who knows more about a European Jeep, a European car fan or a Jeep fan? :P

[cawimmer430]

93JC just said that there wasn't.

This is interesting: who knows more about a European Jeep, a European car fan or a Jeep fan? :P

I could have sworn to have seen some with an M/T. I'm too lazy to check DCX websites too.  :P