Cherokee pulls ahead

Supported by hefty incentives, the Jeep Cherokee pulled far ahead of all other Jeeps in the U.S. sales race.  With 23,932 domestic sales for August — a 41% increase over last August — the Cherokee was by far the best selling Jeep of the month, easily beating #2 Grand Cherokee at 18,409 (even if you toss in Dodge Durango sales).

The year to date total now shows the Cherokee having an easy first place, at 140,356, with Grand Cherokee and Wrangler fighting it out for #2 (135,259 vs 134,332). Last year at this time, the Cherokee was first, but the Wrangler was in second place by around 50 sales.

As for the compact Jeeps, Compass, Patriot, and Renegade, so far the Patriot is the clear winner with 83,715 sales (more than Journey and more than double Dart). Fighting it out for #2 are the Renegade, with 70,088 sales, the Compass, with 66,432. Last year, the Patriot and Compass trounced the Renegade.

The Renegade has a surprise up its sleeves, though: the Renegade will remain in production while the current Compass and Patriot will be dropped fairly soon. A new Compass replacement, presumably to be called Compass, will be ready for the 2018 model year, but will be made in Toluca, Mexico, where the Journey and Fiat 500 are now built.