Fiat puts small Jeep on hold to replace Sedici

Automotive News is reporting that the small Jeep slated for production in Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in Turin has been bumped back a year to allow Fiat to get its own version of the “B-SUV,” as it’s known inside the company, into production earlier.

Fiat needs the new vehicle to replace its Sedici. The Sedici was developed jointly by Fiat and Suzuki and introduced in 2006. It’s a clone of the Suzuki SX4 that’s sold in the United States but the Fiat version is built in the Suzuki plant in Esztergom, Hungary. The Sedici received a mild facelift for this year but sales are falling: in 2011, volume dropped 10 percent to 14,000 units.

Fiat announced it will postpone the planned upgrades at the Mirafiori plant until late 2013. Mirafiori will continue to build the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Lancia Musa.

Production of the junior Jeep is now scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2014.

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Jeep unveils new Grand Cherokee concept in Houston

At the Houston Auto Show, Jeep introduced a new, production-intent concept “stealth” version of the Grand Cherokee. Based on the Laredo X package the as-yet-unnamed concept adds a grille surround in Black, and mesh grille texture in Platinum Chrome. A Platinum Chrome lower fascia appliqué completes the unique front-end appearance. Black headlamp bezels and a Black liftgate light-bar continues the “blacked-out” theme throughout the vehicle’s exterior. The concept rides on 20-inch tires that surround one-of-a-kind Black-gloss aluminum wheels for Jeep.

Based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X package, the concept’s interior includes standard leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a nine-speaker sound system with a 506-watt amp and subwoofer, iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear-park assist system, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Chrysler Group’s Uconnect hands-free communications system, and more than 50 advanced safety and security features.

The vehicle on display in Houston is a Brilliant Black 4×4 model; a Deep Cherry Red 4×4 version will be on display tomorrow at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show.

At the same time the Grand Cherokee was introduced, Jeep announced a contest to name the new trim package. Starting today, qualified consumers can enter their favorite name at Jeep.com/namemyride or via mobile at m.jeep.com/namemyride.

Jeep will compile entries and narrow them down to three favored choices. Consumers will then have the opportunity to vote online for the winning name, to be announced in May. The person who submits the chosen, official vehicle name will have a chance to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Visit Jeep.com/namemyride for more information and complete contest rules

As the vehicle was being publicly displayed for the first time, Jeep also announced that it has created an online contest for consumers to name the new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept. The person who chooses the winning name will have an opportunity to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles. This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.

“We plan to garner feedback from consumers at the Houston Auto Show, and via our online Jeep ‘Name My Ride’ contest,” Manley added. “If the level of excitement is what we anticipate, this new Grand Cherokee will be in Jeep showrooms this spring.”

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Chrysler leads Detroit 3 in Japan sales

Chrysler Group outsold Ford and General Motors in Japan last year, showing the most growth of the American automakers.

4,871 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles were registered, compared to 3,469 Fords and 2,966 General Motors cars and trucks. Jeep was the top-selling U.S. brand for December, and was just 315 sales behind Ford for the year.

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Six Chrysler vehicles named “Best Buys”

Chrysler Group received nine awards in Consumer Guide Automotive’s 2012 list of “Best Buys” and “Recommended Picks.”

Six Chrysler Group models were awarded Consumer Guide’s prestigious “Best Buys” for the 2012 model year; three more were selected as “Recommended Picks” in the 2012 list.

Chrysler “Best Buys” are: Chrysler 300, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Dodge Journey and the Ram 1500

Models that received “Recommended Picks” by Consumer Guide for the 2012 model year are: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Fiat 500

“We are honored and thrilled to have nine vehicles named as ‘Best Buys’ or ‘Recommended Picks’ by Consumer Guide Automotive,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “Chrysler Group launched an unprecedented 16 all-new or substantially-refreshed vehicles in 2010 and 2011, models that continue to resonate with both consumers and objective, third parties like Consumer Guide.”

A “Best Buy” rating signifies that a vehicle is ranked at the top of its class and is strongly approved by the editors. “Best Buy” vehicles represent the finest balance of attributes and price within their classes, and they are the best choices for most consumers. Consumer Guide’s “Recommended Picks” feature vehicles that, though not ranked at the very top of their category, are still worth strong consideration by consumers for their unique combination of attributes and value.

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Jeep sales soar in Europe

While overall light vehicle sales were down 1.4 percent in 2011, Jeep sales jumped 61.8 percent in the 27 member states of the European Union and the four European Free Trade Association countries last year

Based on figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Jeep enjoyed triple-digit growth in Germany (124 percent) and Italy (117.6 percent) and hit double-digit improvements in France (71.7 percent) and Spain (21.2 percent).

In December, a month in which European sales fell 5.8 percent, Jeep sales bucked the trend, rising 47.8 percent.

Worldwide Jeep sales rose 41 percent.

“The increase in Jeep sales in Europe is evidence that Chrysler Group’s integration with the Fiat Group is clearly working,” said Jeep CEO Mike Manley. “Much of the Jeep brand’s success in Europe can be attributed to a strengthened dealer network, as well as a rollout of new Jeep models for the European market – including the incorporation of Fiat’s fuel- and emissions-saving MultiJet II technology on the new 3.0-liter CRD engine that powers the Grand Cherokee.”

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Ram, Wrangler named “Best for the Money” by USN&WR

U.S. News & World Report has selected the Ram 1500 as its “2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money” and the 2012 Jeep Wrangler as the “2012 Best Off-Road SUV for the Money.”

The selections were based on outstanding value and availability of features buyers want.

“The Ram Truck brand is meeting the needs and expectations of our customers with the best trucks in the market,” said Ram CEO Fred Diaz. “U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money award is a powerful, independent accolade, standing as an endorsement for the 2012 Ram 1500 and its value for the money.”

“We are delighted that Wrangler has captured this important award from U.S. News & World Report,” said Jeep CEO Mike Manley. “Jeep Wrangler has set seven consecutive monthly sales records. The new 2012 Wrangler offers consumers more value and appeal than ever before, with improved fuel efficiency and everyday driving dynamics, more power and even more legendary Jeep capability.”

The USN&WR awards cover 23 automotive categories, including cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans. Each category has a single winner. The awards combine scores from the U.S. News car rankings with five-year total cost of ownership and average price data, recognizing the vehicles in select segments that earned the highest marks for overall value and appeal.

“You don’t have to choose between a great vehicle and a great value,” said Jamie Page Deaton, Managing Editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “The award-winning vehicles are both easy to live with and easy to afford.”

The awards reflect the consensus opinion of industry experts and reviewers, along with safety and reliability ratings, and focus specifically on the needs of everyday car buyers.

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