DMAG
04-08-2006, 11:39 PM
Mike Berube, Senior Manager Jeep Marketing:
Target market:
"It's really for those traditional Jeep buyers, it's a classic Jeep, great 4x4 capability, but it provides it in an all-new package with great fuel economy, and a great low price. Patriot will have better 4x4 capability than any other vehicle in its class.
Competition:
It's really competing against other compact SUVs, like the CR-V, the RAV4, Ford Escape, especially the four-cylinder version of that and the Hyundai Tucson.
Theory for getting into this end of the market:
For Jeep it really provides us with classic Jeep styling, look and capability but at a price, and fuel economy that we haven't previously had before. So this vehicle really will help us expand the brand we think and it provides a place for people who always wanted a Jeep but just couldn't quite afford them, now we have one for them.
Why both the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass?
Originally we didn't plan on doing both of them but when we brought them out to research we heard loud and clear from consumers that they were for completely different people. One of them was for people who always wanted a Jeep, loved Jeep styling, now they can afford one and get great fuel economy. The other one was for people who said they always liked what Jeep stood for but never liked the styling or looks, wanted something more expressive, more classy, more stylish looking and Compass fits that perfectly. We expect both vehicles provide more choice for our Jeep consumers than if we had either one alone.
Where is the compact SUV segment headed?
The compact SUV space is one we see growing tremendously--more than doubling in the next 10 years. We think there is a tremendous amount of growth opportunity in the segment overall, and for Jeep in particular.
Availability:
Patriot will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.
Aside from appearance, what are Patriot's other diffentiators?
Patriot is going to be a Trail Rated Jeep. Trail Rated is Jeep's system to ensure the vehicle provides a level of off-road capability Jeep enthusiasts are looking for. The big news is Jeep's done it in an all new way. We've taken a vehicle, designed a new type of CVT transmission called CVT 2L that really provides off-road levels of capability in a front-wheel drive-based vehicle and without sacrificing fuel economy. It's an all-new level of technology to bring to this class of vehicle. No other compact SUVs really have this type of capability that Jeep is providing. Once again it's an example of Jeep doing something the way only Jeep can.
Safety equipment:
Standard electronic stability control, standard brake assist, standard side air bags on the vehicle, and then in addition, just the four-wheel drive confidence. It has a four-wheel brake traction control system standard that provides assured driving in all weather conditions. So it's really packed from beginning to end with a level of standard equipment you really don't find in vehicles in this price class.
Can the Patriot get down and dirty?
Patriot has two levels of 4x4 system. Freedom Drive I is a full-time active 4x4, it provides great capability. But the really big news is with the Freedom Drive II system. That's a full-time active 4x4, has a four-wheel drive lock, but it also has a low mode and Jeep's designed something all new. It's a CVT 2L. It provides all the benefits of a two- speed transfer case, yet it does that without some of the fuel economy penalties. It's something new that only Jeep is providing in this space. That system is a Trail Rated system. That means it has the water fording, the articulation, traction, ground clearance and maneuverability needed for really good recreational off-roading. For example we raised the vehicle one-inch in ground clearance when you get the Freedom Drive II system. In addition it has skid plates, toe hooks for recovery purposes, increased water fording depth. The overall Patriot has a pretty high seating height so when you're on the trail you can look out and see the road ahead. So when you put it together, it provides a vehicle that today, if you want a vehicle in this price range and go recreational off-roading, there really are almost no choices except for maybe a small two-door pickup truck. Now you can get a vehicle, fun, recreational off-roading, enough room for you and your friends and your gear and it all comes with the Jeep name.
Target market:
"It's really for those traditional Jeep buyers, it's a classic Jeep, great 4x4 capability, but it provides it in an all-new package with great fuel economy, and a great low price. Patriot will have better 4x4 capability than any other vehicle in its class.
Competition:
It's really competing against other compact SUVs, like the CR-V, the RAV4, Ford Escape, especially the four-cylinder version of that and the Hyundai Tucson.
Theory for getting into this end of the market:
For Jeep it really provides us with classic Jeep styling, look and capability but at a price, and fuel economy that we haven't previously had before. So this vehicle really will help us expand the brand we think and it provides a place for people who always wanted a Jeep but just couldn't quite afford them, now we have one for them.
Why both the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass?
Originally we didn't plan on doing both of them but when we brought them out to research we heard loud and clear from consumers that they were for completely different people. One of them was for people who always wanted a Jeep, loved Jeep styling, now they can afford one and get great fuel economy. The other one was for people who said they always liked what Jeep stood for but never liked the styling or looks, wanted something more expressive, more classy, more stylish looking and Compass fits that perfectly. We expect both vehicles provide more choice for our Jeep consumers than if we had either one alone.
Where is the compact SUV segment headed?
The compact SUV space is one we see growing tremendously--more than doubling in the next 10 years. We think there is a tremendous amount of growth opportunity in the segment overall, and for Jeep in particular.
Availability:
Patriot will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.
Aside from appearance, what are Patriot's other diffentiators?
Patriot is going to be a Trail Rated Jeep. Trail Rated is Jeep's system to ensure the vehicle provides a level of off-road capability Jeep enthusiasts are looking for. The big news is Jeep's done it in an all new way. We've taken a vehicle, designed a new type of CVT transmission called CVT 2L that really provides off-road levels of capability in a front-wheel drive-based vehicle and without sacrificing fuel economy. It's an all-new level of technology to bring to this class of vehicle. No other compact SUVs really have this type of capability that Jeep is providing. Once again it's an example of Jeep doing something the way only Jeep can.
Safety equipment:
Standard electronic stability control, standard brake assist, standard side air bags on the vehicle, and then in addition, just the four-wheel drive confidence. It has a four-wheel brake traction control system standard that provides assured driving in all weather conditions. So it's really packed from beginning to end with a level of standard equipment you really don't find in vehicles in this price class.
Can the Patriot get down and dirty?
Patriot has two levels of 4x4 system. Freedom Drive I is a full-time active 4x4, it provides great capability. But the really big news is with the Freedom Drive II system. That's a full-time active 4x4, has a four-wheel drive lock, but it also has a low mode and Jeep's designed something all new. It's a CVT 2L. It provides all the benefits of a two- speed transfer case, yet it does that without some of the fuel economy penalties. It's something new that only Jeep is providing in this space. That system is a Trail Rated system. That means it has the water fording, the articulation, traction, ground clearance and maneuverability needed for really good recreational off-roading. For example we raised the vehicle one-inch in ground clearance when you get the Freedom Drive II system. In addition it has skid plates, toe hooks for recovery purposes, increased water fording depth. The overall Patriot has a pretty high seating height so when you're on the trail you can look out and see the road ahead. So when you put it together, it provides a vehicle that today, if you want a vehicle in this price range and go recreational off-roading, there really are almost no choices except for maybe a small two-door pickup truck. Now you can get a vehicle, fun, recreational off-roading, enough room for you and your friends and your gear and it all comes with the Jeep name.