'11 Grand Cherokee Updates

[XDCX]

I wanted to start a thread in the public section of the forum and compare notes on what everyone's hearing about the '11 Grand Cherokee.

Here are a few questions to get the thread started:

• How have the allocations been?
• Is Chrysler building the V6 Pentastar version or just the Hemi V-8?
• Are there any other significant equipment restrictions?
• Have you had customers asking about the '11 Grand Cherokee?
• Any ETA on the arrival of the first pre-specs?

Concerning the last point has anyone heard if Chrysler plans to keep the '11 GCs in containment? At one point I thought Chrysler would keep all the production in containment until the Dealer Drive-Away events but I now question whether that's correct given that the Drive-Away is only being done on a small scale.

Do the DMs seem to know anything, or are they keeping a low profile?

[MisterM]

In looking around the various Jeep message boards there seems to be a lot of interest in the new Jeep. But potential customers are discouraged with the lack of official information available. No new images, no pricing, no idea of when they can be ordered. With production starting in less than a week the "secrecy" and quietness is truly baffling for such an important new vehicle.

[Txflyer]

We only got allocated one. I put in two (one Hemi, one V6) and they picked up the V6.

[ohiobuckeyes]

In the webcast yesterday Fred said that a new marketing campain will show the over all image of CHRYSLER GROUP and a preview of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Along with other ads in the the major publications like "Redbook" and "AARP". This is to be released in mid May.....

Only allocated 1and only ordered 1.

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by ohiobuckeyes

In the webcast yesterday Fred said that a new marketing campain will show the over all image of CHRYSLER GROUP and a preview of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Along with other ads in the the major publications like "Redbook" and "AAPR". This is to be released in mid May.....

Wasn't there a rumor that only 30% of the dealers watched the Diaz webcasts - maybe this is the reason why. It's 2010 for heaven's sake, who still advertises in magazines like "Redbook" and "AARP"?

[ohiobuckeyes]

Originally Posted by XDCX

Wasn't there a rumor that only 30% of the dealers watched the Diaz webcasts - maybe this is the reason why. It's 2010 for heaven's sake, who still advertises in magazines like "Redbook" and "AARP"?

Really 30% now I thought Chrysler was watching who viewed Fred's Webcast. I just picked PG Magz that were in my waiting area.

[MisterM]

Originally Posted by ohiobuckeyes

Along with other ads in the the major publications like "Redbook" and "AAPR"...

Did you mean "AARP"? This is becoming one of the strangest launches in Chrysler history.

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by MisterM

This is becoming one of the strangest launches in Chrysler history.

I agree.

While I hope Chrysler has some fantastic launch plans that will give the '11 GC the attention it deserves, I become more skeptical with each passing day.

At one point I was very supportive of Dealer Drive-Away events that would generate excitement on a regional level but Chrysler has pretty much clustered that idea up by only inviting select dealers in certain Business Centers.

By all accounts it appears the '11 GC is a fantastic vehicle - I sure hope it doesn't falter because Marchionne wants to prove to North America that he knows a better way to market vehicles.

[MisterM]

Originally Posted by XDCX

I become more skeptical with each passing day...

Next Monday should prove interesting - this is the launch/Job1 date and I can't see them not making some sort of press event/release with photos of the first one rolling off the line. If this day is "skipped", I and I'm sure many others will be speechless.

[XDCX]

Is the end of June still the ETA for the '11 GC?

[Ralph]

Is there anyway this kind of management is productive? Developing confidence in the company and it's products should be the priority in Turin...oh I mean Detroit. The uncertainty at the dealer and media level bleeds into the general public...does it not?

At the meeting where "the plan" was revealed...didn't they call a press conference, set up a bandstand for reporters...and cancel it literally at the last minute...with all the press sitting and ready? In all fairness, I opted out because of a bunch of reasons...but one of the biggest, was my loss of faith...so that's where I'm coming from. (that's a disclaimer)

I hate to compare Chrysler with Ford and GM?..but the comparison needs to be made. They're in the market place begging for positive publicity yet Mother Chrysler snubs it at every turn. What is "The Plan"? Nothing with these guys makes sense. They grind the dealers, grind the press...to what end? How in the world is this productive?

Here's the savior vehicle...supposedly in production last week...and no one knows even what the damn thing looks like? It's insane. Maybe when this thing is actually launched the press will forget how they've been treated and put a positive spin on it. But it seems to me they could have done a better job launching this vehicle even by accident!!!! The scary part of this , is that the screw ups are purposeful. Some fool actually made the decision to divide the dealer body with this have and have not drive away..."let's not show it at any publicity event", bust the balls of the press...I think if you stopped any car at an intersection...got the driver out and asked them to launch this vehicle...they'd do a much better job at it. Beyond scary, it's terrifying to me that these guys are supposedly professionals and beyond that they're requiring the dealer body to spend zillions to support this company.

Whew...bizarre...that's the only adjective I can come up with.

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by Ralph

At the meeting where "the plan" was revealed...didn't they call a press conference, set up a bandstand for reporters...and cancel it literally at the last minute...with all the press sitting and ready?

You've got a good memory - I had forgotten about that. You're referring to Chrysler's decision to kick out all the TV camera crews minutes before the eight hour meeting started. There were rumbles heard throughout the meeting room when Chrysler made their announcement.

In my opinion Chrysler's making the medias job harder and they're treating them with disrespect. As a result they're going to get poor coverage.

By contrast, there was a great story in Automotive News a few weeks ago from a reporter reflecting back on his experiences interviewing Bob Lutz. Lutz was friendly and conversational with the media and provided them with some great sound bites over the years.

[ohiobuckeyes]

Our Grand Cherokee (Which we build on 4/14/10) is in the "D" Status with a Vin Number. It was assigned to "D" status on 05/07/10. So lets see if it says or if Chrysler is going to pull it back.

Maybe we are getting close to a launch.

[Txflyer]

Originally Posted by ohiobuckeyes

Our Grand Cherokee (Which we build on 4/14/10) is in the "D" Status with a Vin Number. It was assigned to "D" status on 05/07/10. So lets see if it says or if Chrysler is going to pull it back.

Maybe we are getting close to a launch.

Same here. Ours is in a D1 status with a 6/3/10 ship date.

[MisterM]

Originally Posted by ohiobuckeyes

Maybe we are getting close to a launch.

The launch is now underway, but no promotion or advertising is planned until mid-June.