Chrysler Australia Change WK2 Brochure Wording After Customer Complaints

Chrysler Australia have changed the wording of the WK2 Grand Cherokee brochure and advised dealers to ensure sales staff use correct descriptions when advising buyers on the optional Off Road Adventure Package.

The changes refer to the description of the tyres provided in the pack which the brochure describes as Khumo All-Terrain but the tyres being supplied with the vehicle are actually Khumo All-Season. These are fitted as standard on the Laredo model and have been coming with the 18" alloys, skid plates and Quadra-Lift 4WD system when the Off Road Adventure Group is ordered on all models. Maybe they should change the name of the pack on 2012 models as the car is not ready for any "Off Road Adventure" without the front recovery hooks the 2011 model came with.
These all-season tyres are really a highway tyre and Jeep Australia have had a number of complaints about this, Talking Jeep Oz is aware of one buyer who is not happy especially since the vehicle also came without the expected front recovery hooks. His 4WD trip plans are now on hold while he waits for a solution to the recovery hook debacle as his vehicle can not be recovered if he gets stuck somewhere and now he also has to source some descent all terrain tyres himself.

MOPAR CELEBRATES 75 YEARS!

Chrysler Parts and Accessories Brand MOPAR is about to celebrate 75 Years.

Mopar supplies a huge range of replacement, performance, retro and recreational parts and accessories for Chrysler Jeep and Dodge vehicles.
Check Out All The Details Here 

Chrysler To Go V8 Super Car Racing in Australia?

The global motorsport boss of Chrysler has confirmed the company’s interest in entering the V8 Supercars championship with the new generation 300C sedan which is due here in mid year.
Ralph Gilles, also president and CEO of Chrysler’s SRT (Street and Race Technology) division - the equivalent of HSV and FPV – made it clear that considerations were only at an early stage.
The full story is here at V8XMagazine.

With support from Chrysler in the US this could be just the boost Chrysler needs to grow the brand in Australia.
Chrysler will release the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 here in May, it will sell for around the $90,000 range.

Talking Jeep Oz Blogspot Passes 75,000 Page Views

Wow - Just Passed 75,000 Page Views
Thank you to all our followers for continuing your support.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 Recovery Hook Announcement

Numerous complaints from purchasers of the 2012 Grand Cherokee regarding the deletion of front recovery hooks has led Chrysler Jeep Australia to officially advise dealers that the screw in Tow Hooks supplied with 2012 models are not suitable for four wheel drive recovery and are only rated for very light towing duties.
In an official dealer bulletin distributed today they also stated that the 2011 recovery hooks can not be fitted to the 2012 model as the front of the vehicle has been modified and there is no mounting bar for the factory hooks to bolt to.
The reason given for the deletion of the 2011 recovery hooks was to comply with ANCAP pedestrian safety requirements and European regulations for pedestrian impact. Also prospective future Australian legislation that could bring Euro regulations to Australia.
Seeing that the Jeep Grand Cherokee has not been ANCAP tested in Australia (only Euro-NCAP and US ) this seems like a feeble excuse. It looks more like Jeep Australia are being dictated to by Jeep in the US that they must take European specification vehicles instead of the 2011 specification that Australian buyers were expecting at the time of purchase. It appears that Jeep only want to build one version for export at the cost of customer expectations. This is the very first real 4WD Jeep to be sold in Australia without being fitted with suitable hooks for 4WD recovery.
We have been told that Jeep Australia are evaluating retro fitting of suitable recovery hooks and also a new designed Nudge Bar that will incorporate recovery hooks.
In the meantime owners wishing to use their 2012 Grand Cherokee in 4WD terrain can only safely drive on 2WD roads. Venture onto 4WD trails and get stuck in some mud and your Jeep can not be recovered without major damage to the vehicle. Under no circumstances should owners use the screw in tow eye hook for any recovery as it is not rated for recovery.

Jeep Compass Finally Returns To Australia

The long awaited return of the compact Jeep Compass is here and they are starting to arrive at dealers.
The range now includes a two wheel drive (2WD) as well as the excellent all wheel drive (AWD) version. The Compass shares the Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber platforms with 2.0L and 2.4L engines matched to both 6 speed manual and CVT Auto transmissions.

The New Compass looks just like a mini Grand Cherokee

The Compass pricing starts at $26500 with free on road costs and similar priced options to the Patriot.
The Compass and Patriot models will fill the void on the soon departing, popular Dodge Caliber which has seen a resurgence in popularity since its price was adjusted down to $25000.

The Stunning New Dodge Dart is based on an Alfa Romeo platform

The Caliber has now stopped production in the US and is being replaced by the stunning new Dodge Dart which has just been revealed at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Check out the new interior of the new Dodge Dart as it gives us a possible insight into the future direction of the compact Jeep models. It is not yet known if the Dart will be produced in right hand drive for export to Australia. The 2012 Patriot now starts at $25000 drive away.

WATCH THE NEW COMPASS TV COMMERCIAL HERE

Jeep Patriot For 2012 Lands In Australia At Much Lower Price

The 2012 Jeep Patriot has landed in Australia at a much lower price than 2011 models. The introduction of the two wheel drive (2WD) variant sees the starting price of just $25000 drive away for the Sport 2.0L 2WD Manual with an additional $2000 for CVT Auto and the 2.4L all wheel drive (AWD) model is an additional $2000. The top spec Limited comes in at just $32500 Drive Away.

The 2012 models are starting to arrive at Australian Jeep dealers and the new lower pricing is expected to boost sales of the small Jeep.

CALLING ALL JEEPERS TO AUSTRALIAN JEEP JAMBOREE 2012

Calling All Jeepers!
Make sure you check out the details for the Australian Jeep Jamboree 2012 - Tickets are now on sale. HERE

Jeep Wrangler 2012 Model Changes For Australia

Jeep Australia have released pricing and specification changes for the 2012 Wrangler.

The Base Vehicle Price (BVP) has not changed. But most states have ordered all Renegade and Rubicon models with the option of Side Air Bags and Connectivity Group hence becoming a mandatory option unless you especially order one from the factory without them. Cost is $990 for both options.
The other big change is that you can now order a Rubicon with factory fitted Leather ($1500) in Black or Saddle. You can also order Body Colour Roof ($1000) and Body Colour Fender Flares ($250).
Don't expect to see any of these options at your local dealer as Jeep Australia have not pre-ordered many Rubicon models and the initial arrivals are already sold. So if you want a Rubicon expect to place an order now and get your Rubicon in April or May.
If you want to buy a 2 Door Wrangler with Turbo Diesel CRD 2.8L you will also have to order it and wait for them to build it and Jeep Australia will no longer bring this version as a stock vehicle. You need to place an irrevocable order and wait. The good news is if you wanted a manual 2 Door Wrangler CRD you can now order one. In recent years it was only imported as an auto.
Diesel 4 Doors will also be more readily available with an increase in production for Australia. Word is that Jeep don't make any money from the Diesel so that is why we don't get a Rubicon Diesel and the regular models are always in short supply. They make their $$ from the petrol models.
TOW RATINGS CHANGED
The tow ratings have also been changed.
All 2 Door model tow ratings have been reduced to just 1000 KG. Why? Previous rating was 1600KG?
Petrol 4 Door Manual is now 2000 KG (2268 KG)
Diesel 4 Door Manual and Auto 2200 KG (2268 KG)
Petrol 4 Door Auto 2300KG (2268)
Apart from new colours (Crush, Sahara Tan, Dozer, Black Forest Green) and the new Pentastar 3.6L V6 Petrol engine and a USB port in centre console the rest of the model is unchanged.

TURBO DIESEL GRAND CHEROKEE FOR US MARKET

The Washington Post is reporting that Chrysler is planning to increase production of Grand Cherokee to include a Turbo Diesel version for the American market.
"Chrysler will add 1,250 jobs at two Detroit factories next year — another sign that the once struggling automaker appears to be making a comeback.  The Jefferson North Assembly Plant will get 1,100 new workers and a third shift to help build a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel model for North America."

The hugely succesfull Turbo Diesel Grand Cherokee is so popular in export markets such as Europe and Australia that its 'sold out' and buyers must wait months for delivery.
So maybe the wait for Australian buyers wont be as long once they increase production. Got to wait 'till 2013 though.