Jeep celebrated its 75th anniversary this week with record growth.
En-route to its 75th year, Jeep have battled through internal conflicts, and they’ve also helped nations fight external wars on foreign fields.
The stoic, original 4×4 toiled across Europe in the second world war, before being domesticated for ordinary civilians back home.
It’s survived mergers and these days shines as the brightest star in Fiat Chrysler’s galaxy of automobiles.
Senior analyst at Edmunds.com Jessica Caldwell said: “Jeep is bringing in the sales. Their focus on smaller SUVs with respected fuel economy hits the sweet spot.”
Jeep has done well to survive successive owners, plenty of whom ate up rival automakers in a bid to get hold of the profit-boosting brand.
Jeep was sold in 1953 to Henry J. Kaiser, before becoming a key part of American Motors in 1970. It has been with Chrysler since 1987.
Today’s models, including the Cherokee and Renegade, have not just kept Jeep in the public eye – they’ve also helped it reach new heights.
Last year, Jeep shifted 2,200,000 units and achieved a global growth of 22%.
Sales Up, But Quality Down for Jeep?
Although Jeep can celebrate the record growth, they might want to keep the champagne on ice for a while longer.
Despite the numbers, Jeep is plagued with question marks over its quality.
In the latest J.D Power Vehicle Dependability Study, Jeep is near the bottom.
The study focuses on real-word experiences consumers have with their vehicles, and many have reported a long list of Jeep’s defects.
These include transmission failure and infotainment confusion.
In 2013, Jeep had 178 defects per 100 automobiles.
Jessica Caldwell gave the concerns no quarter: “Jeep takes criticism, but with record market share, it doesn’t really affect them.”
Will Titterington
He believes that words can take on a transformative aspect and wants to help people make better decisions today.
His influences as a writer include Hunter S Thompson and Jack Kerouac, while among his interests outside writing are music, art, foreign films and football.
He’d one day like to own a Tesla, and still holds a candle for the Ford Capri.
Latest posts by Will Titterington (see all)
- Dealer vs. car broker: what’s the difference? - 13th August 2018
- How Reliable are DS Cars? An Honest Assessment of the DS Brand - 10th August 2018
- Ford Focus Electric vs Nissan Leaf vs Volkswagen e-Golf: Review & Comparisons - 17th April 2018
- 9th May 2016
