Jeep® Brand: legend evolution

Styling, functionality, craftsmanship and class-leading capability: these are the four pillars of the Jeep DNA. And this is what stands behind the four letters of the word ‘Jeep'. A word that has entered the global lexicon to identify the skilled 4x4 sports utility vehicle universally recognizable for its hallmark seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. Four letters that refer to four-wheel drive leadership to handle any adventure with confidence. From the Brand's iconic, Jeep Wrangler to the renewed compact SUV Jeep Compass, every Jeep vehicle tells of a legend made of extraordinary journeys and a seven-decade long passion for the outdoors.

The Jeep Brand builds on two core values: freedom and authenticity. Freedom as a state of mind and individual determination to follow one's own instincts with the confidence of being able to enjoy any adventure thanks to benchmark off-road capabilities. Authenticity that belongs to the original Brand that pionereed the outdoors and became clear leader. And also the ability to offer performance that transforms the driving experience into an extraordinary event, bringing one's individuality strongly and distinctively to the fore.

As a Brand, Jeep was born 70 years ago to answer the modern military needs of the time and then evolved to provide civilians with mobility and the means to rebuild their dreams. A Brand boasting an extraordinary tradition, Jeep has always been able to reinvent itself to offer innovative products marked by a strong personality and benchmark capabilities.

The first Jeep 4x4 vehicle rolled off the line on July 15th 1941. This was the military Willys-Overland, forefather to the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A, that was mass produced in 1945 and is universally considered the first modern off-roader of the automotive industry.
In 1946, with Jeep Station Wagon, Jeep fitted an all-wheel drive system on a station wagon vehicle thus introducing the concept of Sport Utility Vehicle. In 1963 with the Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment.

2011 is a very special year for Jeep as it marks together with the Brand's 70th anniversary the launch of four main new products. Starting with the refreshed iconic Jeep Wrangler & Jeep Wrangler Unlimited equipped with the Jeep first Stop/Start application together with an all-new more powerful and efficient engine, 2011 will also be the year of the new Grand Cherokee with the diesel engine introduction. The Brand flagship shares its design cues with the refreshed new Compass, compact SUV of the Brand.

Jeep Wrangler & Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The evolved icon of the Jeep Brand boasts all-new interior with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials and is powered by a new more powerful 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine producing 200 hp, 410 Nm of torque and featuring fuel-saving Stop/Start technology. The Wrangler powertrain range also offers a powerful 3.8-liter petrol engine delivering 199 hp and 315 Nm of torque.
The all-new body-color hardtop available on Sahara models provides a more premium appearance and grants the open-air fun-and-drive experience that is peculiar to Wrangler.
Best-in-class off-road capability is achieved through legendary Command-Trac® and Rock-Trac® 4x4 systems as well as with Tru-Lock® front- and rear-locking differentials.
Front and rear Dana axles and electronic-disconnecting front stabiliser bar - Active Sway Bar System (ASBS) add value to the extraordinary off-road capability of the Jeep icon.
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are offered in three configurations: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon. New Jeep Wrangler & Jeep Wrangler Unlimited have been introduced in most European markets starting last January.

Jeep Compass

All-new Jeep Compass features a sophisticated new exterior design combining the styling cues of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee and thus introducing the concept of ‘family feeling' for Jeep.
The new generation of the compact SUV Jeep combines SUV features and functionality to the performance, handling, fuel efficiency and price of a C segment vehicle.
The redesigned Jeep Compass boasts a completely upgraded interior compartment enhanced by soft-touch points and high-quality materials.
The powertrain range has been updated and calibrated to European customers' needs thanks to the introduction of the new 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine with 163 hp of power and 320 Nm of torque which is also available in a low-output version delivering 136 hp.
Benchmark Jeep off-road capability is granted by the full time Freedom Drive I active 4x4 system. Upgraded steering and suspension systems improve Jeep Compass' overall performances. For the first time in Europe, Jeep Compass is also available in a two-wheel drive configuration: new front-wheel drive is standard on the 2.0-liter petrol engine and optional on the new 2.2-liter turbo-diesel. 2011 Jeep Compass lineup features a full line of active and passive safety systems including Hill-Start Assist and will be introduced in European markets end of April in the Sport and Limited trim levels.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The fourth-generation of the model that invented the concept of Full-size Luxury SUV has been totally renewed in its exterior and interior design and in its technical features, providing a new balance between on-road performance and off-road capabilities.

The all-new flagship of the Jeep Brand offers the comfort, functionality and safety of a four-wheel drive high-class car and the ability to go anywhere, an expertise that the American Brand has constantly improved during 70 years of investment and passion for the outdoors.

The new generation of the best Jeep Grand Cherokee ever offers all-new Quadra-Lift^TM air suspension system and Selec-Terrain^TM traction control with five terrain settings for excellent on- and off-road performance and control. New Jeep Grand Cherokee features an all-new 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine fitted with new-generation, 1.800-bar injectors with new Multijet II technology, developed and patented by Fiat Powertrain.
This new 3.0-liter engine delivers 241 hp of power and 550 Nm of torque and will be also offered as a low-output version, with 190 hp and 440 Nm of torque.
Powertrain lineup for Grand Cherokee also includes 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter MDS V-8 petrol engines.
Jeep legendary off-road capability is the result of a choice of two 4x4 systems available on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee: Quadra-Trac II® and Quadra-Drive® II with rear Electronic Limited-slip Differential (ELSD).
New Jeep Grand Cherokee now offers a full-range featuring Laredo, Limited and Overland trim lines powered by the all-new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel and available in European Jeep dealerships starting end of first semester.

Jeep in Europe

Jeep is an American Brand owned by Chrysler Group LLC. With 70 years of history, Jeep boasts today a global Brand reputation with vehicles distributed in more than 120 countries around the world. The first Jeep model was introduced in 1941 and since this milestone date more than 15 million Jeeps have been produced and distributed worldwide. Today, 6 million Jeep vehicles are on the road and Jeep is Chrysler Group's top selling Brand in markets outside North America, comprising 50% of the Company's international sales.

In Europe, Jeep is currently one of the Brands distributed by Fiat Group Automobiles.
Following the global alliance signed between Fiat Group and Chrysler Group in June 2009, Jeep commercial and distribution operations in Europe were gradually transferred to FGA. Today, these activities are carried out by Fiat Group Automobiles' national sales companies.

Jeep operations in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK are today fully integrated in the FGA structure.

The integration process in Europe comprises the creation of a new Jeep distribution network that consists of 430 Jeep dealerships. The new Jeep European network will be fully operational starting next June when the sales and distribution reorganization process carried out over the last twelve months will be successfully concluded.

The Fiat alliance will not only have a strategic influence on the Jeep Brand's sales activities but will also contribute to the introduction of new platforms, advanced technologies and overall quality thanks to the sharing of technical know-how, manufacturing and environmental best practices. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best example of this process as it features the first application on a Jeep model of Fiat clean diesel technology with Multijet II fitted on the all-new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel. In addition, the start of its production brought over the first introduction in Chrysler Group's manufacturing organization of Fiat's World Class Manufacturing system. It is being applied to all Chrysler Group's North American facilities.

Globally in 2010, Jeep sales increased 24 percent versus 2009 with 420,000 units sold worldwide. In the US, 291,000 Jeep vehicles were sold in 2010 and the Brand posted a 26 percent growth versus sales in 2009.

By 2014, the Jeep Brand aims to achieve European sales of 125.000 units. This will be achieved also thanks to the introduction in the Jeep lineup of a compact SUV based on the compact-wide C platform in 2012 to be built in joint-venture with Fiat SpA at its Mirafiori, Turin, Italy, plant and of a new model on a Chrysler platform in 2013.