Jeep brand announced record U.S. and global sales numbers for 2012 on Jan. 9 that surpassed the brand's previous global sales high in 1999 of 675,494 vehicles, selling 701,626 vehicles globally with 474,131 in the U.S.
Jeep vehicle sales increased 19 percent globally in 2012 versus 2011, and 13 percent in the United States.
For over eight decades (since 1941) Jeep brand has delivered iconic vehicles that have continued to offer multiple experience avenues for drivers (and families) around the world to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any adventure with confidence.
Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. said, “In late 2009, we set out on a course to quickly renew our entire vehicle lineup, with a focus on legendary Jeep capability combined with improved on-road driving dynamics, fuel efficiency and world-class craftsmanship. Clearly customers have appreciated the unique combination of attributes that Jeep vehicles offer".
“We expect to continue our sales momentum in 2013 with the introduction of an all-new mid-size Jeep SUV, as well as the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which will be available with a new, clean-diesel engine,” Manley added.
In 2012, each major global region recorded increased Jeep sales versus 2011. Specifically, Jeep sales in the Asia-Pacific region rose 94 percent; sales in European markets rose 29 percent; and sales in Latin American markets rose 18 percent.
In China – the largest automobile market in the world – Jeep remains the fastest-growing mainstream brand, with sales up 107 percent in 2012. Jeep has had to expand production capacity in China to meet that demand as a result.
In the United States, Jeep has regained its number-one position in the SUV market.
Several individual Jeep nameplates set records in 2012.
Jeep Wrangler enjoyed its best year ever both globally (194,142 units) and in the U.S. (141,669 units); Jeep Compass recorded its best year ever on a global basis (103,321 units); and Jeep Patriot recognized its best U.S. sales year with 62,010 units sold.
Jeep Grand Cherokee (the most awarded SUV ever) recorded sales of 154,734 in the U.S. – its best annual total since 2005. Across the globe, Jeep sales were led by Grand Cherokee (223,196 units), followed by Wrangler (194,142 units) and Compass (103,321 units).
The Jeep brand’s sales results in 2012 come on the heels of similar success in 2011 (sales increases of 41 percent globally and 44 percent in the U.S. versus 2010) and 2010 (sales increases of 24 percent globally and 26 percent in the U.S. versus 2009).
Jeep, in any of its multiple models, is recognized as the authentic sport-utility vehicle (SUV), with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people in over 120 countries worldwide who seek extraordinary journeys.
With the greatest range of SUVs under one brand, the Jeep vehicle portfolio consists of:
Compass: A compact SUV with sophisticated, premium design, unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy, freedom, utility, and Jeep 4x4 cachet and capability, all at a terrific value.
Grand Cherokee: The most award-winning SUV ever, balancing legendary Jeep capability with world-class craftsmanship, premium on-road driving dynamics and an array of advanced technology and safety and security features.
Liberty: The mid-size SUV that offers Jeep Trail Rated 4x4 capability combined with on-road refinement and numerous innovative features, including the industry-exclusive full-length Sky Slider open-canvas roof. An all-new Jeep mid-size SUV debuts later this year.
Patriot: A compact SUV delivering the fun, adventure and value only Jeep can offer, with unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy and segment-leading capability.
Wrangler: The icon of the Jeep brand, it remains true to its heritage as the original fun-and-freedom machine. Wrangler features a recently-updated new interior and available premium body-color hardtop, along with Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers fuel efficiency, power and on-road refinement.
Wrangler Unlimited: The only four-door 4x4 convertible SUV on the market with room for five adult passengers, Wrangler Unlimited also features an available premium body-color hardtop, and the 3.6- liter Pentastar V-6 engine.
The new midsize Jeep, the Liberty, to be available for 2014, is a completely new vehicle built on the Chrysler CUSW (Compact U.S. Wide) platform which is a variant of an existing Fiat and Alpha Romeo platform that underpins the current Dodge Dart. It moves the Liberty from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive and will also have all-wheel capability.
It is reported that a power train for the new Liberty will likely be a new 3.2-liter V-6 engine mated to a ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission. The Liberty will probably be offered as a base model with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and it is conceivable a performance version powered by either the 1.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder now also in the Dart or a 1.8-liter turbo 4-cylinder now in use by Alfa Romeo could be in the cards.
Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2014 which is expected to debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit Jan. 14-27, will have a diesel power plant as an available option for the first time in the U.S.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee diesel will be the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder from VM Motori which is owned by Fiat. It has been in used in Europe for several years and is in the Grand Cherokee units sold globally other than the U.S. now.
The diesel power train in use by the global Grand Cherokee uses a five-speed automatic transmission with the VM diesel and gets a U.S. equivalent 23/33 mpg city/highway fuel economy. In comparison, the current 3.6-liter Penastar V-6 is the most fuel efficient Grand Cherokee now in the U.S. with EPA ratings of 17/23 mpg city/highway.
For the 2014 Grand Cherokee, the 3.0-liter VM diesel will be paired to the Chrysler Torqueflite 8-speed automatic transmission which should seriously boost the fuel economy of the diesel Grand Cherokee likely making it, hands down, the class leader in fuel economy in its segment.
Whether identified by their ownership of multiple Jeep vehicles, or their regular attendance at branded events, or by their abundance of Jeep gear – branded products from clothing to baby strollers – Jeep owners all have one common trait: a Jeep vehicle delivering benchmark all-weather capability that allows them to go anywhere and do anything.
With the growth in demand in the U.S., Jeep recently committed to a third shift expansion and 1,100 new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit (JNAP), to assembles the Jeep Grand Cherokee including the new diesel.
To meet consumer demand around the world (120 countries), all Jeep models are also sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand-drive versions and with both gasoline and diesel power train options.
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