What's the best way to improve Jeep sales at Chrysler?
Reduce dealers
0% (0 votes)
Reduce models
35% (9 votes)
Reduce dealers and models
0% (0 votes)
Spin Jeep division off into its own company
50% (13 votes)
Other ideas I'll enter in comments below
15% (4 votes)
Total votes: 26
Saving Chrysler and improving Jeep
Submitted by admin on Sat, 02/09/2008 - 17:35.
This poll re: the recent news that Chrysler is considering several options to improve a recent and significant drop in sales. Search Google or your favorite Industry news page for more, or see this Business Week article for additional background.
You may also add comments below to further expand on your vote or clarify; for instance, if you believe Chrysler should first spin off Jeep and then reduce the # of Jeep models.
new Jeep division talks already taking place???
Submitted by reporter on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 13:58.
OK didn't see this before the poll, but quite interesting...
From the this-couldn't-possibly-be-true department, Autoblog is reporting that there may be talks going on between the Indian company and Chrysler LLC regarding the Jeep brand:
In order to reach the markets that matter, M&M may be looking to forge an alliance with Chrysler LLC. The Indian firm originally began selling Wranglers in its home market and might be interested in taking Jeep off Cerberus' hands. A report in the Economic Times says that "M&M is reportedly in talks with Chrysler for its iconic Jeep brand" although there's no confirmation that Chrysler is looking to offload the brand – yet.
Could Cerberus finally be looking to begin selling off parts of the Chrysler trifecta as many industry analysts have predicted? It certainly isn't out of the question considering the private equity firm's history.
Yikes.
You can read more on our Industry news page.
Make Jeep dealers a destination...
Submitted by whatmud on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 09:22.
Have dealers sell Jeep Gear and Jeep related after market items. Have small(free or low cost) Jeep sponsored events, build a small obstacle course, have engineer or historian talks, have Jamboree/Camp Jeep info available. Get people in the door, if you have it we can buy. Many Jeep owners are a cult much like Harley-Davidson owners. In each city Harley has dealerships where people meet to talk, buy and upgrade their bikes. I would love to be able to do that with my Jeep as I travel to different cities. Right now we have chance meetings in parking lots to talk Jeep. Not everyone can/cares to off-road at Jamborees. Camp Jeep is great for all levels of Jeep owners - mall crawlers to serious off-roaders, but are too far away or infrequent for bringing in new business. It is great to see old Jeeps, try new models, meet other Jeepers and talk to engineers there. Take away some of the stress of visiting a dealership by making it a more relaxed atmosphere.
sort of like Camp Jeep + Land Rover Centre?
Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 09:58.
Wow, some good stuff there... sounds like you'd suggest combining the best of Camp Jeep (events, engineer/history) + some stuff from places like [gasp] Land Rover Centres (on-site demo course), but also add some lounge/community gathering items? Nice. Please print and mail to Jeep.
Improve sales by....
Submitted by GeneralTJWillys on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 22:40.
1) Change powertrain options to include a new-gen turbo-diesel engine.
2) Dealership modification. Chrysler's dealerships, IMHO, have always been a weak link in regards to sales. If the old axiom, "It's all in your approach" holds true....then the dealerships need to change theirs. I've dealt with most of them in my area of Ohio and have found that they are poor at customer relations and especially difficult to deal with after a sale. I.E. general questions, general service, warranty issues, etc.
Although, I must say...the best I've dealt with yet (after purchase dealings), has been Schmidt, where I purchased my Jeep in 2005.
Also, I agree with they who have suggested a place to show off the Jeeps capabilities to possible buyers. So few know what their vehicles are actually capable of!!! Why not have a demo model from each line to take potential customers through the paces, if they so choose? Insurance/injury liability issues? It's a customer's choice.....have them sign a non-accountability waiver holding the dealership non-liable. Otherwise, they can stand by and watch the Jeep go through from the comfort of the sidelines.
At the very LEAST, have some videos playing within the dealership of stock Jeeps being put through their paces so otherwise clueless individuals would get an idea.
3) Pare down the models. There does not need to be so many. Simply offer more options or trim levels to cover. This would be less expensive than having so many platforms to deal with. Keep the Wrangler (OF COURSE!!!), the Grand Cherokee, and either the Liberty or Patriot (since it most resembles the Classic Cherokee), but, if it's the Patriot....it MUST be given more powertrain/suspension options to make it more....JEEP!
4) The Compass......where to begin!!! If it was given the treatment that I PERSONALLY believe it should have been given......it would be Jeep's answer to the Mitsu EVO and Subaru WRX STi Rally rides. These are IMMENSELY popular with the younger crowd, and, if done PROPERLY....the Compass would be a fantastic platform to break into this segment.
If not this, then I believe it should be axed!! It just isn't.........JEEP enough to carry the name!!!
Gosh...I could go on..(and may, later), but these would be (in no particular order), my top suggestions.
