First Jeep Compass rolls off the line
The Dodge Caliber's Jeep sibling, the Compass, started production at the Chrysler Group's plant in Belvidere, Ill., where the automaker will also start making the Jeep Patriot this fall. Chrysler's flexible manufacturing processes are said to be behind the plant's versatility and efficiency, which makes for the opportunity to build the three different models all on the same production line.
The Compass, which is Jeep's first foray into the world of soft SUVs and crossover vehicles, will start at an MSRP of $15,985, including a $560 destination charge. The vehicle will go on sale this summer.
[Source: Chrysler]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ebm14 5:08PM (5/31/2006)
This truck looks ok, but I'm eager to take a look at the Patriot.
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GOKARTN 5:15PM (5/31/2006)
It looks like Jeep handing it's "trail rated" status to Hummer. Seeing this proud offroad marque, whose name used to be a synonym for offroader, becoming a chick car really gives me the "Willy's".
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Will Wheeler 5:24PM (5/31/2006)
I would hardly call this a truck, or a jeep for that matter since it is based on the Caliber platform. It goes against all that Jeep stood for. But sadly it will sell well, since people are too dense to research anything before they buy it.
"Mommy, Daddy, I'm only 16 but I want you to buy me a Jeep!"
"Sure, dear which one?"
"The cute one"
There you go, the future of Jeep.
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MattS 5:34PM (5/31/2006)
Heh, Best of luck to whomever is the lucky customer to get that sucker.
m
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Juan 5:52PM (5/31/2006)
Heh, I think the woman working on that Jeep is wearing a Honda shirt.
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EGS 5:55PM (5/31/2006)
nice honda shirt.
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Corey W. 5:59PM (5/31/2006)
Ok, my vision may be failing in my old age, but isn't that the Honda logo (motorcycle) on her tee shirt...
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Corey W 6:05PM (5/31/2006)
Juan, EGS
Talk about timing!!!
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Corey W 6:06PM (5/31/2006)
Juan, EGS
Wow...talk about timing!! ;-)
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Clarence 6:21PM (5/31/2006)
The whole purpose of a company acquiring a well-respected brand name is so that they can squeeze every dollar out of it that they can. The result eventually is a brand that means nothing.
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Jason 6:27PM (5/31/2006)
That's less embarrassing then wearing a shirt that says "Jeep Compass".
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Nick 6:51PM (5/31/2006)
That's not a Honda motorcycle logo. Sorry.
And I'd take a Patriot over the Compass or Caliber, but it is good to see they can make 3 distinct models at the same plant, and switch between 0% and 100% production of any given one. This is an excellent solution to correcting/improving inventory numbers through a means other than huge rebates.
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Jeff M. 6:57PM (5/31/2006)
Diluting the Jeep brand with this non-trail rated version is a really bad move, but not as bad as GM replacing the real Saabs with badge engineered vehicles from it's other divisions. What was the point in GM buying the company(saab)in the first place?
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Pinkerton 7:04PM (5/31/2006)
Sadly, there is a good little car burried beneath that poseur SUV.
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Stoneman 7:20PM (5/31/2006)
You just know that guy is checking for the optimal mount point for a big-ass wing on the back.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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El Norte 7:22PM (5/31/2006)
"The Compass, which is Jeep's first foray into the world of soft SUVs and crossover vehicles"
...um, I would classify the Liberty as Jeep's first foray into the world of soft SUVs. I will grant it's not a crossover, but it's still not an HD truck.
Bleh, I hope they sell a million of them so long as it keeps the Wrangler worthwhile.
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Cion 7:24PM (5/31/2006)
Like one of the G.M.executives said in past comments:"we are in business to make money not cars." And another thing is; Its about time Jeep started playing the suv game. They only missed the largest expansion of the market in history.
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Erich 7:40PM (5/31/2006)
I agree with #1, but I'll go a step further. This thing is a joke. If they wanted to dive into the "cute cuv" field, they should've just stuck with the Patriot.
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Mal Fuller 7:49PM (5/31/2006)
I would classify the late 1940s post-war Jeepster as Jeep's first foray into the market that the Compass plans to exploit. The Jeepster didn't hurt Jeep and neither will the Compass. I bet most of the whiners aren't even Jeep customers!
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donald douglas 8:25PM (5/31/2006)
Standard issue for all line workers that work on the compass line are work gloves, safety glasses and barf bags, for those who have to look at the front end of this fugly masacared front end, also tissues are also passed out to employees who saw the sexy original prototype, and what they actually have to build on a daily basis ! i truly hope the aftermarket jumps on this front end and fast cause those chimpmunk bumps (storing nuts) under the headlamps are just rediculous.........
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