According to today's Detroit News, in an article concerning Chrysler Group design chief Ralph Gilles, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is due to launch "in three months."
On the other hand, the forthcoming GC wasn't at the current Chicago Auto Show because, as a Chrysler spokesman put it, their policy is not to show models that won't be out in the next three months.
The production start date (May 10th) was first revealed here on JG a couple months back. That date is still on schedule. June is the sales launch date, dealers will have them by then. Dealer order banks are set to open March 8th. The current 2010 WK will end production on March 12th. WH export models will be built through April 30th.
The new WK was scheduled to appear in both Detroit and Chicago but pulled at the last minute as Sergio wanted to enforce his policy of not revealing new vehicles until a few months before launch (the early WK debut in April '09 was planned "pre-Sergio"). The new WK will be well represented at the NY auto show in April, you can bet the farm on it.
I am happy to hear that all is on schedule.
Sad to hear that Sergio is not smart enough to figure out that when a vehicle has been hyped as much as it has it is expected to be seen at auto shows. regardless if it was pre Sergio. I thought the idea is to attract customers. Some of us went to the show expecting to see it.
On one hand I hope this lack of insight is what happened but on the other hand is scares me that this is an indication of the future.
Or maybe I'm just going on a rant because I'm still angry that I delayed a trip for few days just so I could see the new Grand Cherokee in person at the Chicago auto show.
Milous, Thanks -- very helpful. Do you know if it will it use the MB gearbox and other drivetrain hardware MB was supposed to supply to Chrysler, and which is the subject of the famous $60 million lawsuit? There have been unconfirmed reports that a Chrysler transmission will be used instead, and other formerly planned MB parts will be supplied by independent suppliers, taking MB completely out of the picture.
Old news. The hope is that there are fresher credible reports, and prior posts on this thread suggest that the June launch may yet be achieved. The fact that the vehicle is to be at the NY show in April (it's listed at the NY show's website) tends to confirm the June date, too.
Still, it would be helpful if it could be explained how this model can come to market if essential component supply, including the transmission, is tied up in ongoing litigation with Daimler Benz, the planned supplier. If Chrysler/Fiat has decided to go, instead, with independent suppliers for most components and substitute a Chrysler transmission, this presumably would delay the launch to allow for retooling, production replanning and prototype testing.
It appears to be official. From today's Detroit News: The all-new Grand Cherokee will be next up. Its launch is May 10, according to the report and confirmed by people familiar with the schedule, while its Dodge counterpart, designed to replace the Durango in the lineup, may not go into production until Nov. 8. A final name for the Dodge has not been decided upon. Magnum was under consideration, but officials have said it is no longer in the running and Durango remains a possibility.
The vehicles in New York, which are piloted by a crew of talkative drivers, will most likely include the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler. The Grand Cherokee won’t be there; the refreshed 2011 model is due out in dealerships this spring.
The vehicles in New York, which are piloted by a crew of talkative drivers, will most likely include the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler. The Grand Cherokee won’t be there; the refreshed 2011 model is due out in dealerships this spring.
you cant jump to conclusion that its not making over here because chrysler has yet to reveal what they are bringing over to the autoshow.
also the article is misleading because its talking about the jeep drive and only jeep liberty and wrangler will be use for those rides, they have never use a jeep Grand Cherokee.
I dont know if the WK2 GC will be in New York or not but saying that they never use GC in Camp Jeep is absolutly false in fact they used at the last Camp Jeep in New York in 2007.
Absolutely correct, innthe past I have driven Grand Cherokees in Chicago.
However this year the 2011 was not at the Chicago auto show.
Marketing a new vehicle (the only new vehicle the company has had in a couple of years)! You want it out there to build publicity.
I think the only reason it would not be is because it is not finished. Since it once was a finished vehicle to me it means only one thing, they are making changes & since it has not been seen in long time probably major changes.
Maybe for the good!
when is the current model production suppose to end?
i think it would make sense for them to add the garmin nav system from the beginning instead of adding it later on. also they should add led taillights
Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne now states: He disclosed the company will begin production on its new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee on May 3 and it will go on sale in late June or July. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a key vehicle that then-Chrysler LLC showed at the New York International Auto Show last year. "It's going to represent the best of Chrysler technology and quality," he said. "It's a signature vehicle for the Chrysler Group and it needs to be perfect and it will be."