From a Chrysler press release:

Patriot production begins Dec. 20 and Chrysler will have at least 10 patriots in showrooms by the end of December...

...so those anxiously waiting should be able to order one to their own specifications in late December from the dealer or wait until January when they are supplied in greater quantities to dealers....

Where did you hear that from?:confused: Can you post the source, Id like to read more...

Here is the entire copy:

Chrysler pins hopes on 10 new vehicles

December 13, 2006

The Chrysler Group is scheduled to begin ramping up production of the Jeep Patriot on Dec. 20, completing the launch of the 10 new vehicles it promised for 2006.

The Patriot launch means the Auburn Hills-based automaker has introduced more new products in 2006 than in any previous year. It says it will have at least 10 Patriots in showrooms by the end of December.

This 2006 class of vehicles comes at a critical time for the Chrysler Group. A successful lineup could lead to a quick recovery -- or send it further into the doldrums. The Chrysler Group lost $1.5 billion in the third quarter, and its sales have struggled much of the year.

It's too soon to tell whether the new lineup is a hit. However, there has been criticism that many of the models came too late in the year to boost 2006 sales.

"Everybody got caught with too many big trucks this year and not enough crossover vehicles," said George Magliano, director of automotive research at Global Insight. "Everybody was scrambling to replace their product. ... I don't think it's any secret that Chrysler was behind schedule. I think they've been very slow getting the new crossovers out there, and I think it's hurt their sales."

Among the vehicles Magliano is referring to are the Caliber, Compass and now the Patriot, built at the Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant. The plant had delays early in the launch of the Caliber and Compass while the company dealt with software programming problems that resulted in repeated collisions between robots. The line was shut down to make repairs.

Chrysler said it has corrected those problems, but dealers say it delayed their ability to get the in-demand cars earlier in the year and may have resulted in lost sales when customers learned they'd have to wait several weeks or months to get the vehicle they wanted.

A couple of the company's new vehicles have been bright spots. The company can't build the Dodge Caliber or the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited fast enough to satisfy dealers' and consumers' appetites.

The Toledo plants that build the new Wranglers and the Dodge Nitro may even work during the holidays, a time when plants are usually closed.

Other models, such as the luxury Chrysler Aspen SUV and the Jeep Compass compact SUV, have drawn skepticism. The Aspen has been criticized because it was launched in a year when inflated gas prices dampened truck and SUV sales. The Compass was criticized because it's the first Jeep product not designed for off-road driving.

But overall, analysts say, the injection of so many new vehicles into the automaker's lineup will likely boost sales next year.

Every Chrysler plant that is building vehicles that were new in 2006 is still in launch mode, which means it is not yet running at full capacity.

"I think overall Chrysler probably will do considerably better" with the new vehicles in its lineup, said Ed Hellwig, senior Inside Line editor at Edmunds.co m.

Hellwig said he expects the Wrangler, which has never been available as a four-door, to attract new customers to the Jeep brand. With its distinctive styling, the midsize Dodge Nitro SUV and Caliber may attract buyers away from competitors, he said. And even the Aspen, a luxury SUV, is likely to result in sales Chrysler otherwise wouldn't have made, he said. Chrysler hasn't previously competed in the luxury segment.

Analysts say the company needs some successes. Executives at the North American division of German company DaimlerChrysler AG are working on a recovery plan that includes a goal of cutting $1,000 from the cost of every vehicle. Chrysler launched production of a higher-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 in January; the Caliber in February; the Compass in May; the Aspen, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited and Dodge Nitro in August and the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab in September.

Good news indeed!!!

I had also heard the press gig was supposed to be in late Dec, then I heard it wasn't till Jan. So....????

I just want to see one on the dealer lot, in real life. Pictures are great and all. But I would really like to touch one just to make sure the Patriot actually exists.:rolleyes:

Cool!

Wow. 10 Patriots. What dealerships are gonna get those 10? Kinda pathetic.

And where is the build and price?!

The U.S. 'build & price' should be up and running as soon as they start production....since they have just released initial base pricing figures...without options...r

2007 Jeep Patriot Pricing
(All prices include $560 destination.)

4x2 Freedom Drive I 4x4 Freedom Drive II 4x4
Jeep Patriot Sport $14,985 $16,735 $19,175
Jeep Patriot Limited $19,985 $21,735 $23,530

23,530....not too bad... Thanks for the info.

I am wondering why they havent released the brochures yet, hopefully they will come out with the press event in a week.

I am wondering why they havent released the brochures yet, hopefully they will come out with the press event in a week.

Looks like they are getting ready to post it!

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/769/jpbrojs7.jpg

Dealer got the spec info last week, which means production is 30 days out...Around mid January. The only ones being built right now are for the press event and executive cars. The brochure should land around 30 days from now.

BTW.....freedom drive II won't be avail until late feb/early march, I asked the r&D guys when they stoped by to brief us on the press event.


Jason

Jason,

As always, thanks for the view from the 'inside'.

..BTW.....freedom drive II won't be avail until late feb/early march, I asked the r&D guys when they stoped by to brief us on the press event.

Jason

Thanks for the news. Too bad I can't be the first in Oregon to own one... what with the FDII being that far behind the others.

Hi, I am new and have been viewing these posts for a while now fro news on the Patriot. I have to replace my lease at the end of January and was really hoping for on eof these, but due to it's delay was almost ready to give up. However, I just talked to a dealer and they said orders will be being placed starting sometime in 2 weeks and that they received thier brochures this morning. I figured I would just pass that along..

Not sure why the wait for the FDII??? thats what the r&D guys told me last week.

Jason

Jeep Patriot production plant--Belvidere schedule:

The Belvidere Chrysler plant will be down only from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, said Michele Tinson, DaimlerChrysler corporation manager for manufacturing and labor media relations.

In addition to the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass, workers will begin assembly of the Jeep Patriot on Wednesday.