CNN reports Wrangler sales are very strong

In a March 9th article, CNN Money reports that 2007 Jeep Wrangler sales are very strong, especially the 4-door version. The JK version is really bucking the consumer trend of moving towards smaller car-based "crossover" SUV's, despite a dismal rating from Consumer Reports.

Frankly, Consumer Reports doesn't really know how to handle a vehicle like a Jeep. They go by "how can I get from point A to point B with the least amount of pennies spent per mile", with bonus points if you're built by a Japanese company. Something like a Wrangler is a visceral, emotional, all-American kind of transportation...not really targeted at that crowd.

Sales of the 4-door version are trending 2:1 over the 2-door version, at least for now. This should come as no surprise...back when I ordered mine in July of 2006, there was a glut of 2-door TJ's on the dealer lots and they were incentivizing the heck out of them to try to move the inventory. The people that wanted that model had already gotten one, for the most part. The 4-door opened up a whole different market for people who wanted a "Jeep's Jeep", but needed the extra passenger room.

That's definitely where I came in...my 1996 Cherokee was due for replacement and I wasn't really excited about a Grand Cherokee or that hideously bloated Jeep Commander. I wanted something that could get me around off-road...with the family...and still haul kayaks and bikes and whatever else. I'm sure at some point the sales will start to tail off, but for now Jeep is running 2 shifts in Toledo flat-out and can't come close to keeping up with demand.

posted on 18-Mar-2007 |