The new Commander is built off the Grand Cherokee platform, and seats seven (if just barely). The Commander's looks will certainly appeal to those who loved the old Cherokee, whereas the new Grand Cherokee is somewhat sleeker in terms of looks. So there is already some sibling rivalry there...
Frankly I much prefer the new Commander's looks to that of the Grand Cherokee.
And here's the wild card: The new Chrysler Aspen. This is Chrysler's version of the Durangoâand I predict it will put a real hurting on the Commander. Here's why: It can seat seven adults in relative comfort, and the Commander can't. The 3rd-row seats in the Commander are nothing more than a cruel joke. It's a penalty box of the worst sort.
Not only can the Aspen seat more in comfort, it will be priced in the Commander's neighborhood, and is probably just as off-road worthy as the Commander. So Jeep/Chrysler dealers will have three very similar vehicles sitting on the same showroom going after essentially the same customers.
Apparently I'm not the only one who sees this as a potential problem. So do a lot of people within the Jeep/Chrysler community. An even bigger problem here is I see Jeep and Chrysler battling one another, more so than battling the SUVs from GM, Ford, Toyota, et al.
Like I said, it will be interesting to watch...
And here's the wild card: The new Chrysler Aspen. This is Chrysler's version of the Durangoâand I predict it will put a real hurting on the Commander. Here's why: It can seat seven adults in relative comfort, and the Commander can't. The 3rd-row seats in the Commander are nothing more than a cruel joke. It's a penalty box of the worst sort.
Not only can the Aspen seat more in comfort, it will be priced in the Commander's neighborhood, and is probably just as off-road worthy as the Commander. So Jeep/Chrysler dealers will have three very similar vehicles sitting on the same showroom going after essentially the same customers.
Apparently I'm not the only one who sees this as a potential problem. So do a lot of people within the Jeep/Chrysler community. An even bigger problem here is I see Jeep and Chrysler battling one another, more so than battling the SUVs from GM, Ford, Toyota, et al.
Like I said, it will be interesting to watch...
ateixeira says:
11:51 AM, 03/28/06
One of them should have been a car-based crossover. I don't see a point in selling the Aspen, to be frank. Durango already covers that segment, which is shrinking on top of it all.
ahightower says:
01:04 PM, 03/28/06
Most of the Chrysler/Jeep dealers in my area already include Dodge. I don't see the Aspen taking away Jeep sales any more than the Durango already has.
steelydan0613 says:
12:26 PM, 06/ 1/06
Let's not forget that the whole Jeep thing is all about off-roading and all that, while the new Aspen is more for the golf and country club set.
I agree there is crossover, but marketing tactics will take care of that.
After all, what's the difference between the Tahoe and Suburban, what 10 inches or so? Or, if you can't spell Chevrolet, you can always buy one of the GMC twins, Yukon and big brother Yukon XL..also 10 inches apart from being identical twins.....................
And to play the foreign crossover game, how about a Nissan Pathfinder vs a Nissan Pathfinder Armada ? What's that worth , 8 inches?
These car companies aren't stupid. I'm sure someone out there wouldn't be caught dead in a Tahoe, but only the Suburban will do.
I'm sure there will be a new Aspen driver that will give you 100 reasons why the Durango would never do, and they wouldn't be caught dead in a Jeep because their neighbor has one.
I don't think your concerns here will materialize , I think there will be more than a few prospective purchasers may skip all three vehicles mentioned above and get a non-traditional SUV just for the gas mileage alone.............................