According to Bloomberg, the demise of the Jeep Commander is but a year away. Anonymous sources inside Chrysler told the news service that with a 43-percent decline this year, which follows declines every year since its first full year on the market, the Commander is surrendering its command.
The SUV's end was claimed to be due to gas prices, since a V8 Commander averages about 17 MPG. However, exorbitant (for America) gas prices haven't killed a number of other vehicles that don't even do that well, so that reasoning makes us wonder. What makes more sense is that in addition to the sales plunge, the Commander was stealing an unexpectedly high number of sales from the Grand Cherokee. In a cozy pool, every little bit of water counts.
If it's true, we have to admit we're sorry the Commander is going away. Some people have taken its boxy simplicity for blah-what-boredom, but it was just the kind of Jeep we like: straightforward, capable, roomy (no, we never put seven people in it), and a solid driver. Obviously we don't speak for the masses, but Commander, you will be missed.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ed @ Apr 14th 2008 7:08PM
Its ugliness alone (http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.com/2007/11/top-5-avoid-cuz-its-ugly.html) was reason not to buy it. The market expected so much more than the Commander was able to offer. The market expected that some time before the Commander even debuted.
Hardy @ Apr 14th 2008 7:13PM
Looks like a real reputable site you're referencing there.
I actually prefer the Commander's look to the Grand Cherokee and I'll be sad to see it go. It made no business sense whatsoever to bring it to market, but I appreciate the effort of building vehicles with unique styling characteristics (aka not a 4x4 minivan like the Grand Cherokee) =)
MemphisNET @ Apr 14th 2008 7:47PM
Really good example... *cough*
The Aztec was (is) fugly beyond words - but at least it was very capable - owners loved it for that.
The Commander is just plain cool - classic Jeep in all the right ways. Just too expensive, and not different enough. Oh well - Chrysler needs to thin out its trucks and focus on cars. The Nissan plan looks promissing.
User @ Apr 15th 2008 1:21AM
I always thought the Commander was what the H2 SHOULD HAVE looked like. (Back before I found out Hummer was completely selling out.)
I think it's an awesome looking car. Jeep should take the stupid engine back to the drawing board and work on it instead of just scrapping the model completely.
Dan @ Apr 14th 2008 7:14PM
I like boxy, and I like trucks, but the proportions on this one never looked right to me.
Even if it had, a 20 gallon tank in a 5000lb, 15mpg vehicle is a dealkiller to me.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 14th 2008 7:59PM
Same here. I thought the Cherokee looked better than the Grand Cherokee, so I'm all for boxy trucks. But this thing looks bloated. Instead of looking solid, it looks like a Jeep that was trying too hard.
I think the market the vehicle is in is soft, it's hurting the Nissan Armada too. But I think this vehicle is on the skids largely because it isn't appealing.
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 14th 2008 8:22PM
Never ever looked right. Awkward and ugly and big and gas guzzling.
Paul H. @ Apr 14th 2008 7:22PM
Good riddance.
Tony C @ Apr 15th 2008 12:32AM
My thoughts exactly!
Brent @ Apr 14th 2008 7:31PM
Might have to pick up a 2008 Hemi for some towing duties!
TriShield @ Apr 14th 2008 7:35PM
This thing had bomb written all over it when it was unveiled.
The Commander was Chrysler's half-hearted answer to the HUMMER H2 (HUMMER is eating Jeep's lunch in image and pure profit margin). It was an answer for a question nobody asked of Jeep and the market didn't really want.
Jeep shouldn't have been moving supersized and upmarket, they should have refined the Grand Cherokee to be a better vehicle instead. If you look at the older models they were much richer and classier looking in their time than the current Grand Cherokee.
Chrysler under the Germans spread Jeep way too thin way too fast and in all the wrong directions. Killing the Commander, then the Compass and Patriot will right that. Then Chrysler can improve and refine the Wrangler, Liberty (which should be named back to Cherokee) and Grand Cherokee.
Stuka @ Apr 14th 2008 8:10PM
Yeah, well put. The compass is a joke, the patriot has the right looks, only its too small and is based on a car. Jeep needs to stick with being a jeep. IRS has no place on a jeep. IFS isnt great, but the GC and liberty still do half decent offroad.
Disgruntled Goat @ Apr 14th 2008 8:41PM
You're right on TriShield. The next time some UAW article comes out just remember that the execs that greenlighted this POS are the ones that will be paid millions of $$$ in order to "retain their talent" while the poor suckers that have to build it are put on the street.
lvDave @ Apr 14th 2008 7:38PM
I worked as a salesman at a Chrysler Jeep dealership the past to months. They were so desperate to sell the leftover 07 Commanders and Aspens, they were offering a $500 spiff to anyone who sold one. There were about 5 Aspens there, I sold one, but there where at least 15 Commanders left over from 07. The dealership was losing lots of money on everyone sold too.
James @ Apr 14th 2008 7:42PM
I actually respected the Commander for doing what it did well. A friend of mine in rural Connecticut nabbed a black one of these for dirt cheap from a local dealership that had several copies collecting dust and pollen. I was relatively impressed.
Theron @ Apr 14th 2008 8:04PM
The thing about a lot of these also-ran vehicles is if you buy them on sale you think "that's a pretty good package for the money". But if you bought one when they were new for sticker you are left a bit disappointed. Chrysler needs to get to where people are happy at sticker.
Luis @ Apr 14th 2008 7:44PM
A neighbor of mine had nothing but problems with it from day one. Shame.
Golferal @ Apr 14th 2008 7:51PM
This thing was/ is a turd and there are MUCH better vehicles in this size and price range.
Chrysler needs to keep axing under performing vehicles like this if they hope to survive.
almost Dr. G.. @ Apr 14th 2008 7:57PM
sounds like a great time to jump on one if you every wanted one.. they already have a $3500 incentive.. wait a little bit more and they'll throw the keys at you..
my small neighborhood dealer has 42 in stock. DAMN!
no i dont work for jeep.. i just went to see what the interior looked like..
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 14th 2008 8:02PM
42 in stock? Wow, they should turn off the taps immediately. That's at least a year's supply right there.
The dealers must cry each time a vehicle trailer pulls up with another one.