Article: New Jeep Commander Receives Warm Welcome

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New Jeep Commander Receives Warm Welcome

In spite of reported over-all declining sales in SUVs, Jeep has seen its
two largest entries into this Auto segment enjoying surprising results for
the month of October 2005. As reported in the article “Topic: Big trouble
for big SUVs: Sales and prices of used-utes continue to slide” in an
edition of the Automotive News, "Prices are falling, and they are falling
fast," Webb says.

Sales of new large SUVs plummeted 48.1 percent in September from a year
ago. For the first nine months of 2005, those sales were 15.5 percent
below the same period last year.

Daimler-Chrysler reported that sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the
newly available 2006 Jeep Commander were surprisingly strong during
October 2005. Reported sales of the Grand Cherokee were 14,298 Grand
Cherokees sold, a 6% increase from October 2004, and it was reported that
there were 3,241 units for the Commander sold in October 2005. This sales
figure was achieved in spite of the fact that the Commander was still being
distributed to dealers during the month.

Why has Jeep been able to go against the tide? Maybe its because they are
staying in touch with their past while offering improved technology and
more features. This can be seen with Jeep’s latest introduction to their
family, the Commander. The Commander is Jeep’s answer to the Ford
Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalades, and Toyota Sequoias. In
body style the Commander is a bit of a throwback, recalling the boxy
design of the once popular Willys Station Wagon, the Jeep Wagoneer, and
the more recent Cherokee. While Jeep returned to its roots in the body
style, it has added quite a few new features and options. The more basic
additions are a 3rd row of seating and stadium styled seating (each row is
slightly elevated above the row in front of it), which offers a good view
for all seats. Some outstanding features include All-Speed Traction
Control System (TCS), BeltAlert, Digressive Load Limiting Seat Belt
Retractors, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), Emergency Brake Assist, Enhanced Accident Response System,
Parksense Rear Back-up Detection System, and the Tire Pressure Monitor and
Warning Signal.

Many of the new technology systems are designed to improve vehicle
handling and safety. ESP enhances driver control and helps manage
directional stability under various driving conditions. When the system
picks up a noticeable difference between the vehicle’s direction and the
driver’s intended track, ESP offers selective braking and throttle control
to place the vehicle back onto the driver’s intended path. The Electronic
Roll Mitigation system monitors the vehicle’s roll attitude and lateral
pressures to determine rollover potential. When necessary it will reduce
engine torque along with a burst of braking applied to the appropriate
wheel to assist in stabilizing the vehicle. In other words, it monitors,
anticipates, and takes the necessary steps to help avoid rollovers. TCS
improves mobility and helps to prevent wheel slippage when accelerating on
slick driving surfaces. This system utilizes throttle control as well as
the brake application of older traction systems. This state-of-the-art
technology provides a more smooth and controlled response over past
systems. Other available options are third seat comfort controls, a DVD
entertainment system for the back, power sun-roof and Command-View
skylights above the second row, digital read-out for tire pressure, alarm
system, a hands-free communication system, a DVD navigation system, and
Daimler-Chrysler’s patented SmartBeam headlamp system. An offroad
package is also available that includes a steel transfer case skid plate,
fuel tank skid plate, and all-terrain tires.

What about the engine? You can choose between two V-8 choices and a 3.7
liter V-6. An option sure to gain the automotive enthusiast’s attention,
is the powerful 5.7 liter V-8 Hemi with Daimler-Chrysler’s
Multi-Displacement System (MDS) option. MDS turns off unnecessary
cylinders (up to 4) for maximizing fuel efficiency when the additional
power is not needed. This system is said to boost fuel economy up to 20%!
With MDS you have the power when you want it, but enjoy better fuel
economy when you don’t.

There’s no mistaking it, the Commander is feature loaded and that’s
probably why its been received warmly in the marketplace while other SUVs
are taking a pounding. It’s not a complete love affair, however. The
Commander already has its critics. In his article “2006 Jeep Commander”
on http://www.autoblog.com, Dave Thomas states, “The Jeep Commander has to
be one of the most unappealing vehicles, as far as appearance, we’ve seem
in this site’s ten months of existence. In recent times, only the Pontiac
Aztec has been uglier.” Later on he says, “I’m sorry DCX, this is the
first misstep you’ve made since the 300.” While I agree with him that the
Commander is boxy, I do not agree that it’s ugly. Beauty is certainly in
the eye of the beholder. To me, a long-time Jeep enthusiast, the
Commander brings back memories of past Jeeps I mentioned earlier and this
look should play well with other Jeep enthusiasts looking for an SUV.
Further, the feature loaded Commander looks like it is priced to sell with
a basic dealer MSRP of $27,290.00.

Volvo made the boxy look sexy with safety as its core feature, and who is
to say that Daimler-Chrysler cannot do the same. The early vote says that
this boxy-looking vehicle with its outstanding features is winning people
over. Americans want safety on the road, and as long as gas prices do not
go absolutely crazy again, it looks like demand will hold up well for this
new feature packed SUV.




Al is a Jeep enthusiast and an Internet Services Manager for one of the
leading <a href="http://www.xtremeterrain.com">Jeep Parts and Accessories
retailers</a> in the country, Xtreme Terrain Concepts. Their site can be
found at <a
href="http://www.xtremeterrain.com">http://www.xtremeterrain.com</a>. In
his spare time, Al likes to research and learn the latest news and
developments about the vehicles under the Jeep brand.