Jeep sales are up, but still a long way from their peak
Jeep is recovering with the rest of the car industry from last year's slowdowns. However, it is still selling cars at a fraction of the rate it did half a decade ago.
US car giant Jeep is trying to claw its way back to its former glory, posting a sales increase so far this year along with the rest of the industry – as it recovers from last year's slowdowns due to the coronavirus crisis.
Although Jeep is finally back in positive territory, it is still a long way short of its previous peak of 30,408 sales in 2014 when the Australian dollar was at parity with the US dollar.
Jeep is on track to sell about 8000 new vehicles this year – which would be the brand's best result in four years, but still a fraction of its record tally in Australia.
As the global shortage of semiconductor microchips wreaks havoc on the automotive industry, Jeep has reduced its model range and cut some features in a bid to keep production lines moving and showrooms full.
“We are already on a program to reduce the number of options and variants across the whole of our range,” said Kevin Flynn, managing director of Jeep.
“We’ve done that, and it’s worked well for us,” said Mr Flynn. “It’s easier for our dealers, and easier for our customers.”
Reducing the number of options and variants across the Jeep range has sheltered the brand from the worst of the production delays, for now, the company says.
“That has helped us. We are very much aware, quite a number of brands are suffering. At the moment, we are okay,” said Mr Flynn.
Jeep’s best-selling model so far in 2021 is the Grand Cherokee, with 1917 sales to the end of July.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is currently riding the wave of SUV popularity, and it’s currently available with a 3.6-litre petrol V6, 5.7-litre petrol V8, and 3.0-litre turbo diesel.
The Grand Cherokee will also be joined by a new petrol-only three-row Grand Cherokee L by the end of the year, as well as a two-row variant some time in 2022.
In terms of popularity in Australia, the Grand Cherokee is followed by the hardcore Wrangler off-roader (1151 sales so far this year) and Gladiator pick-up (689 sales so far this year).
Mr Flynn believes Jeep could have sold more vehicles locally if it were not for production slowdowns.
“I don’t think we have ever had such low levels of stock in the country. There’s certainly no age issues – the yards are certainly empty,” said Mr Flynn.
Jeep sales in Australia: a brief history
2020: 5748
2019: 5519
2018: 7326
2017: 8270
2016: 12,620
2015: 24,418
2014: 30,408
2013: 22,170
2012: 18,014
2011: 8648
2010: 5975
2009: 4193
2008: 5232
2007: 5744
Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
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