Patriot production launch pushed back
BELVIDERE — DaimlerChrysler spokeswoman Michelle Tinson confirmed Friday the production launch of the Jeep Patriot has been pushed back.

Company officials originally wanted to begin making retail-ready versions of the Patriot in the third quarter. But software issues at the plant’s fully robotic body shop have caused numerous shutdowns and Tinson said in an e-mail the plan now is to launch the Patriot in the fourth quarter.

DaimlerChrysler pumped $419 million into the plant late last year and early this year to enable it to make multiple models and increase or decrease production of different vehicles without costly shutdowns for retooling.

The Dodge Caliber got off to a strong start with sales hitting 12,422 in May. But production plunged in June and July after the Jeep Compass was worked into the assembly mix, with sales of both models falling to 7,894 in July. In August, production started to move upward, with sales improving to 10,938.
source (http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060916/BUSINESS05/109160061/1004)


Anyone get anything more current on this?!?! :mad:

this would confirm the late decemeber/early jan timeframe I was told at my local jeep dealership.

Will there be a Patriot under our Christmas tree this year?

Will there be a Patriot under our Christmas tree this year?
Doubt it.

this sucks!

If they cannot get the machinery to work properly and on time, will the quality of these things be up to snuff one they are produced ? As someone who would like a Patriot, I am definately worried about this.

i'm sure they wouldn't sell the vehicles if they weren't assembled correctly. i don't think that's anything to worry about. all i'm worried about is that i don't know how much longer i can wait to see a patriot in person!!

!!!!NO MORE PICTURES, WANT THE REAL THE THING!!!!

I got a reply to an email from my local dealership saying they are expecting to start receiving the Patriots at the end of October.

Perhaps this dealer is not in the loop about recent developments.

that could be the case, but i hope not

I got a reply to an email from my local dealership saying they are expecting to start receiving the Patriots at the end of October.

I would take it for what its worth. The late december early jan came from a division rep just south of where the Patriots are made...I hope for all of our sake, it does come out in Oct.:cool:

Jeep will start advertising the Patriot one month before rollout to generate interest. They did this with the Compass. I have seen very few Comp-i at dealers so I can only assume that production problems continue to keep supplies restricted.

Is this what they mean by October suprise?!?!

Come one... how about some fresh photos and at least one new video?!?

This past weekend a Detroit Metro jeep said they expected them after the 1st of the year.

End of October just ain't gonna happen. Especially if they haven't started yet.

Had to do some repairs on my wifes Trailblazer last month, she is holding out for a Patriot but if it looks like it will be early 2007 before I can expect one I might have to get a left over 2006 to replace the Trailbreaker...

Shame, we both liked the Patriot.

Get the 4dr Wrangler Unlimited. It's about the same size as the "Trailbreaker". Probably gets about the same gas mileage, too.

The four door Unlimited is awsome. Although the one my wife and I stopped to LOOK at was 2WD, in my opinon, the 4WD will be a homerun for Jeep.

HUMMER--last week's news.

It has been confirmed by a V.P. at Jeep that the Jeep Patriot has been delayed due to software problems at the Belvidere Plant...Production is due to start in the fourth quarter of 2006 and vehicles are to be on dealer lots in early 2007.

Ha. 2WD and Jeep don't go together. At least not where I come from.

It has been confirmed by a V.P. at Jeep that the Jeep Patriot has been delayed due to software problems at the Belvidere Plant...Production is due to start in the fourth quarter of 2006 and vehicles are to be on dealer lots in early 2007.

Just think of it as a flight being delayed because of technical difficulties. Sure, it may be annoying, but I sure as hell would rather them take the time to fix it on the ground than put us up in the air...

True but if the flight is delayed too long I check what other airline is flying to my destination.

While the Jeep Patriot being delayed will not impact me at all it does impact people who need to either replace or fix a car.

For Jeep it means sales lost to the 2008 Ford Escape, 2007 Honda CRV, etc. For D-C it probably means that they missed their targets for Calibers, Comp-I, and ultimately for expected 2007 production. A big deal. This is a major problem and means that those future Jeeps that we want to see may be delayed or cancelled.

People probably got fired for this one... :eek:

Nahhh. They just got rid of the consultants who warned them the plant wouldn't be ready until 2007... :-)

SVPs get there by pushing blame downstream. VPs get there by rowing faster. Managers get there by making sure they have the only life preservers... Besides we all know what floats....

Gotta love Corporate America (*) (*)

Yes, the Compass and Caliber sales totals have been hampered by frequent shutdowns in the plant's fully automated body shop caused by faulty software, along with now, the Patriot.

According to business reports, as of Sept. 1, the company was more than 67,000 behind on Caliber orders and 25,000 on Compass orders. The sales of these two products have been so strong that they have outpaced the plant's ability to produce them.

Currently, there are a lot of Calibers and Compasses in shipment and dealers are now starting to receive their full orders.

I dont think a small delay will affect my choice.I would perfer if they are on the road a bit before I got one so little bugs can be worked out.

Small delays probably will not impact posters here. They will, however, impact the guy who is looking for a small, car based SUV NOW. What frosty has said is Chrysler is behind 100,000 cars due to production problems. That is serious. From my experience I know they can't seem to ship the 2.4L manual. What is not being said is how many sales are being lost due to customers walking across the street and buying what's on the lot elsewhere.

I know they have lost a sale to me, I'm tired of fixing little problems with the Trailblazer aka Trailbreaker so it's going to be replaced, wife does not feel safe driving it 45 minutes each way to work each day anymore.

We are looking at the alternates now, wife wants a small SUV which narrows the field. Will see what we find and make out decision, she HATES the new Wrangler and the Liberty or I would get one of them.

Mark

what about the compass?

The only good news is that the 2007 CR-V is butt ugly. It makes the RAV4 look beautiful. I have not seen so many mismatched pieces and themes since the Pontiac Aztek. What were they thinking!

what about the compass?

Not to flame the Compass but I do not think of it as a small SUV and we both can't stand how it looks. The Patriot reminds us both of our beloved 1991 Cherokee Laredo, you couldn't ask for a more trouble free or fun to drive SUV. The Patriot appears to have the same qualities of the old XJ, can't say for sure as I have not been able to drive one, I did get to see the mock up at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year and liked it the first time I laid eyes on it. It's a shame they are taking so long to bring it to market, some like myself can't wait and will buy someplace else.

Mark

There is the Dodge Nitro.

Want something fun? Mazda CX-7 :) I've also always like the honda element.

I got a reply to an email from my local dealership saying they are expecting to start receiving the Patriots at the end of October.

Trust me. Your dealer is incorrect. They will not receive any Patriots by that time.

Oh, by the way, the Limited version looks very nice in light blue.

Yes, the Compass and Caliber sales totals have been hampered by frequent shutdowns in the plant's fully automated body shop caused by faulty software, along with now, the Patriot.

According to business reports, as of Sept. 1, the company was more than 67,000 behind on Caliber orders and 25,000 on Compass orders. The sales of these two products have been so strong that they have outpaced the plant's ability to produce them.

Currently, there are a lot of Calibers and Compasses in shipment and dealers are now starting to receive their full orders.

You are, for the most part, correct.

Didn't several thousand Mazda CX-7s end up as marine salvage? I am pretty sure they were on the freighter that went adrift and are now part of a scratch and dent sale. If you are looking at buying one make sure it wasn't a passenger on the Foobar Maru. Otherwise, Mazda is the Ford division that knows how to put together a car. If you are looking for an on-road SUV the CX-7 is one to seriously consider.

There is the Dodge Nitro.

Want something fun? Mazda CX-7 :) I've also always like the honda element.

the element? seriously? that is probably one of my least favorite vehicles. i saw a girl trying to drive on the beach with an element, and of course got stuck within a few yards.:D

Didn't several thousand Mazda CX-7s end up as marine salvage? I am pretty sure they were on the freighter that went adrift and are now part of a scratch and dent sale. If you are looking at buying one make sure it wasn't a passenger on the Foobar Maru. Otherwise, Mazda is the Ford division that knows how to put together a car. If you are looking for an on-road SUV the CX-7 is one to seriously consider.

Mazda has released all the VIN's from those vehicles. I also believe they must state if they are part of that crop of damaged vehicles. I'd save the list either way once those vehicles are sold down the road as trade-ins, etc...

They will be sold as used cars. And yes, VINs are public.

I would assume that something would be noted in the CarFax report as well...

It is my understanding that the cars recovered from the freighter went into Vancouver B.C. Not sure what the Canadian rules are for reporting on cars damaged in transit if the damage was cosmetic. Being sideways for several months and exposed to a humid, saline rich environment is not good.

:confused: If they are having so much trouble just getting this Jeep off the ground wouldn't it be easier to just tell the truth and not hold us in suspense? I've been waiting for this Jeep since early March when I frist saw it. It gets better gas mileage than my sport and I drive a lot of miles to work everyday. So-o-o Sad:(

I think you guys are making too much of this. There were issues with some of the new equipment in the plants, but at this point they can't even make enough of the two hot-and-profitable models they have out right now. It's smart business to hold back the third model (not saying that's what they're doing) until the first two cool off a little bit.

Yes, they will lose a sale here and there from buyers who must have a new vehicle now, but if they rush out the Patriot, they will lose Caliber and Compass sales.

DCX does not have unlimited manufacturing capacity. They're trying to manage the huge demand for their new products. A good problem to have, IMO.

Well, I think the plant they are producing it on is the first of its kind, so I would assume there would be bugs. Plus, in Jeep's defense, the website has said "First Quarter 2006" for a while now. Search the threads, I remember posting something about this a while back.

:confused: If they are having so much trouble just getting this Jeep off the ground wouldn't it be easier to just tell the truth and not hold us in suspense? I've been waiting for this Jeep since early March when I frist saw it. It gets better gas mileage than my sport and I drive a lot of miles to work everyday. So-o-o Sad:(

I share your disappointment that little has been released about the Patriot.

However, if I were in charge of the marketing for the vehicle, I would keep tight lipped about it, especially with all of the alleged production issues.

Since few people seem to be in "the know" (including my dealership), there is little or no damage to Jeep's reputation. But if they launched a national ad campaign promising an October delivery and couldn't produce -- that would certainly affect sales.

I'd still love to know what is going on in that Belvidere plant...

Brett

I also would like to look under the hood of a Patriot. While driving home to Colorado from Nebraska last August I passes a highly disguised Patriot? with Michigan plates.

On the Jeep web it still says Fall 2006 if you just hover over the '07 Patriot on the main Jeep page. But if you go to see all vehicles it does now say early 2007.

Tom

I am too eagerly awaiting the Jeep patriot. On the website, the patriot is now being advertised with a picture on the front page, when it was previously not there before. (The side link was there). Maybe that is a good sign. I have also called several dealers regarding this information, and some still say end of october, november, or by christmas.

Like many people on the forum, I am in need of a new car, and am holding out for the patriot.

Also, just wondering if anyone has knowledge about the Patriot CVT2. I test drove a compass with a cvt, and it had horrible acceleration. I am just hoping that the CVT2 will give it a little more pep.

On a few websites, Production was stated to begin today, 10/9.

lets only hope. i'm sure that if production begins today that they can have them in lots by christmas. i guess we can only wait :(

I am too eagerly awaiting the Jeep patriot. On the website, the patriot is now being advertised with a picture on the front page, when it was previously not there before. (The side link was there). Maybe that is a good sign. I have also called several dealers regarding this information, and some still say end of october, november, or by christmas.
The very end of 2006 / early 2007 is probably the most realistic estimate.

Also, just wondering if anyone has knowledge about the Patriot CVT2. I test drove a compass with a cvt, and it had horrible acceleration. I am just hoping that the CVT2 will give it a little more pep.
The CVT2 is the same transaxle that the Compass uses. The Patriot w/Off-Road Group will have the special 'low-range' mode, but of course that won't affect highway acceleration. So if you thought the Compass was slow, you'll probably think the Patriot is slow. Did the Compass you drove have the 2.4L?

I did drive the compass with the 2.4 L (dont they all have a 2.4L?)

i have talked to a dealer though, explaining that the cvt engine is one that has to "break in" over the use of the first few months. I am not sure if that is something said in order to make a sale, but i guess with the cvt and cvt 2, there is a computer chip involved that actually teaches the engine to respond to how you drive (acceleration, ect), and the engine adapts its power usage to the driver's normal acceralation patterns.
who knows if that is correct or not. i knew nothing about cars until i started researching the patriot, and was learning different drives ect.

but the acceleration was disappointing, though, i dont know if i could learn to adapt my driving style either. (ie get rid of my lead foot).

There is no "training" for the engine. The chip monitors engine performance characteristics and weather conditions but not for learning purposes. It sounds like the salesman was well trained though!

Has anyone out there seen or tested a 2.4L manual on the Compass-Caliber platform?

It is not a big deal for the consumer that D-C cannot deliver the Patriot on time. It is not unusual that a new plant has problems. It is not unusual for a new product to be late. What D-C blew is their Q3 & Q4 sales and profit numbers. If the Patriot was late but Jeep was selling Liberties and Grands in adequate numbers nobody would notice.

Yes, electronic transmissions do "learn". But I would say that they moreso learn the engine and not the driver -- although the driver itself does impact the performance of the engine. They just take feedback from the sensors and adjust accordingly. Engines/trannys wear over time and may slightly alter the performance of them, so these electronic trannys have control systems to adjust for these (among other) changes.

I pretty much just restated what is here:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/us90224.htm

SirFuego, I think we are in violent agreement. The sensors are designed to insure optimal performance for the conditions. I looked at engine sensors and as a manual transmission person do not follow the details of the transmission sensors in automatics or CVTs and try to remain in ignorant bliss!

Given that the engine/transmission "adapt" to the driver, wear and conditions; there will still be basic characteristics to this platform.

Sounds good to me. We are saying the same thing -- it's just that our ideas of what we consider "learning" are different. it doesn't matter -- the bottom line is that the tranny can adjust to changes. But I would agree that it doesn't adapt to the "driver".

On a few websites, Production was stated to begin today, 10/9.

Nope. That is completely false. Trust me. ;)

I'd still love to know what is going on in that Belvidere plant...

Cars are built there. Approximately 24 hours per day. LOL

Cars are built there. Approximately 24 hours per day. LOL
lol:D :D

Just wanted to share this...as I found it when I was trying to look for any further updates on the Patriot. It was in the Rockford Register Star Newspaper, which is the Bellvidere Local Paper:

Woes at Chrysler to delay Patriot
September 16, 2006 •• 139 words •• ID: rck29125052
DaimlerChrysler is pushing back the production launch of the Jeep Patriot, company officials said, and cutting about 80 workers from its third shift, workers said. The Germany-based company reported its earnings Friday morning: The Chrysler Group suffered a $1.2 billion loss in the third quarter, more than double what was expected.

Silvermike is right, I don't know if I can wait for the release might have to move on.

So, I went and looked at the 07 Wrangler Unlimited yesterday, and asked about teh Patriot while I was there and they said that last that they heard it wouldn't be at dealers until March. Hopefully they had no idea what they were talking about.

oh no :(

...I hope that it makes it to the streets... has a vehicle ever made it this close to production and get killed?!?!?

^^That would be ridiculous for any company to do. It would be a significant waste of money.

Trust me, this things in not going to be killed. It looks better and better after each one rolls out.

DCX is taking the time to get this right. This vehicle is going to be crucial from a business standpoint because DCX has a lot to gain from this. The Caliber = nice/sporty. The Compass = utility with car-like drive and efficiency (sp?). The Patriot = utility, efficiency, and classic Jeep stying.

Mark my word... The Patriot will be HUGE. This one's gonna be the big seller.

Yeah,I think it will be huge also.With fuel prices the way they are and probably be for the foreseeable future the timing for these vehicles is perfect

Honestly, the efficiency is not going to be what gets people (it will, however, help with hooking new customers). It's all about the styling of the vehicle. This is what Jeep fans want. It has familiar styling with a freshened face and body. Think of it as cosmetic surgery and a gastrointestinal bypass on a Jeep Cherokee.

LOL

I think it hooked us.Everything we looked at was a 4 cylinder.With three vehicles on the road,fuel cost are important to us.And the Jeep just has that reputation nobody else has.We can hold out till spring if we have to.

well, i hope more and more people decide that they can hold out because it would be a loss to te Jeep community to lose either current Jeep owners, or soon-to-be Jeep owners.

well, i hope more and more people decide that they can hold out because it would be a loss to te Jeep community to lose either current Jeep owners, or soon-to-be Jeep owners.

One really easy way is to let some new videos or photos out!

I am serious. I loved the thing when I first started researching it... then time passed and nothing new to keep my interest. How can I be expected to keep looking at the same tired photos while other companies are willingly putting out the some great shots and vid.

The animation on Jeep showing the differences (in a limited animation) is nice to see, but compared to that vid showing the off-road ability of the LR2! Wow that was cool. My wife made me promise we will test drive it when it comes out to see if it fits our needs.

All I'm saying is that if Jeep waits too long without rebaiting the hook, there will be less fish in the pond.

I completely agree. I am also bored of te same pictures and the somewhat-lame video of the Patriot going down the highway. I mean, it does have 4 wheels, I kinda expected it to be able to go at a highway speed.

I just hope all the waiting pays off.

After hearing the recent news, I cant say that I am going to wait until next year. I do need a car, I could have held off till December, but not into 2007. I have already contacted a local toyota dealer (for a prius). Its just disappointing that no one can get a direct answer regarding production and the status of the release. And Daimler-Chrysler wonders why they have 1.3 billion loss? I also do not know why they released the compass first, I think that was a huge mistake. People left jeep after the discontinuation of the cherokee, and would have returned if a similar product would have been available in a timely manner.

This site usually has the most accurate and up to date information, and usually way before even the dealerships know about it.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/patriot.htm

Honestly, the efficiency is not going to be what gets people (it will, however, help with hooking new customers). It's all about the styling of the vehicle. This is what Jeep fans want. It has familiar styling with a freshened face and body. Think of it as cosmetic surgery and a gastrointestinal bypass on a Jeep Cherokee.

LOL


:) I guess I'd agree with that efficiency is more of a hook for new customers, since I'm interested and I've never owned a Jeep before. However, I can say that for me it is a necessary condition that the vehicle I buy will get 20+ miles to the gallon, and no other Jeeps do this except for the (shudder) Compass, and the Liberty CRD. I've considered the CRD, but I think I'd rather avoid the high cost of inevitable repairs later in the vehicle's life.

In terms of capability and style, I would rather have a Jeep Liberty than a Ford Escape; but I'll buy the Escape for the extra 4-5 mpg considering how many miles I'm likely to pile up for business. I need (interior) cargo + efficiency + capability, in that order. That's why I'm very excited about the Patriot. My decision will depend on what my accountant says about year-end tax issues... if they say spend, I'll apparently have to go for an Escape. Sigh.

You should look into a Grand Cherokee. Although the ratings say that it gets as high as 20mpg, I find it hard to believe. My 04 JGC gets that in the city, and on the highway it usually pushes ~24mpg. And with a JGC you also get a lot more interior room and comfort, and if it matters to you, better looks than an Escape. Plus, an Escape is a Ford. You'll spend more money fixing it than what you save on gas. Stick with Jeep, it pays off.

When you're behind a Ford Escape, just look at the rear suspension. It looks as if you hit a small pot hole, the thing will snap. If that doesn't change your mind about an Escape, I hope your insurance pays for rent-a-cars:-))

I, for the life of me, can't understand why Ford can't build a good off-road vehicle. They make quality trucks and the Bronco was a decent off-road machine, but the Escape and Exploder--what a waste of good sheet metal.

After five years or so after the Cherokee was discontinued, what is a couple more months?

You should look into a Grand Cherokee.

I will when I find that extra 15 grand I lost in my couch.

Really, even a late model used one would cost more than a new Patriot, and I'm in the market for a new car.

I must say, the Patriot really seems perfect for me. I guess if business keeps up solid like it has been for the last manths, I could wait and eat some taxes on this year's earnings. But I'll need to look at that more carefully.

And yes HoosierMud, I agree that Ford SUV's won't tolerate a real beating... but I'm not planing on using this for sport. I want something that will get the job done in any weather, not a vehicle that makes it's own roads. The toys will only come after a few more years of hard work. Right now I'm thinking about how to hire employees, rather than how to spend my weekends.