End of KK Cherokee Nears!

The current Jeep KK Cherokee {Liberty in USA) is soon to cease production.
The last KK will be built in August and the Toledo, Ohio plant that makes the KK will shut down for major upgrades and re-tooling for the new model Jeep SUV that will replace it next year.
The new SUV (yet to be officially named) is rumoured to be named Cherokee rather than Liberty and is to be built on a new platform sourced from Fiat/Alfa Romeo. The new model will be built in both a two wheel drive and four wheel drive variant and will get a 3.2L version of the Pentastar V6 as well as 4 cylinder petrol and turbo diesel export versions. It is expected to be previewed at the North American Auto Show in Detroit in January and will go into production around March/April 2013. Australia wont see it until late 2013 at the earliest. The current Australian  KK Cherokee Stocks will be run down and will run dry before the new car arrives.

The KK has a disappointing sales record in Australia and has lagged behind the market being an older design and loosing its traditional 4WD market due to lack of 4WD accessories, low ground clearance and small luggage space in the rear. The better performing and more economical CRD Diesel was badly effected by Jeeps decision to lower the tow rating from the KJ CRD's 2800 KG to just 2300 KG and has only been available in limited numbers. The old 3.7L Petrol V6 is also known as a fuel guzzler. Lets hope the new car will have better 4WD and towing ability and more room for all your camping gear in the rear.