| Just months after its much publicized release, the | | | | Cherokee, and you will see that the interior space |
| 7 passenger Jeep Commander is a major | | | | is just about the same. This is bad because the |
| disappointment for DaimlerChrysler to the point | | | | Commander comes equipped with a third row of |
| where it has become an albatross around the | | | | seats so there should be more room. Many have |
| automaker's neck. Stung with bloated inventories | | | | complained that only two small children could fit in |
| in excess of 100 days - an industry killer - the | | | | the last row which, incidentally, does not |
| Commander is now commanding discounts of | | | | completely fold into the floor like the "stow 'n go" |
| over $5000 per vehicle. What went wrong? | | | | feature on the DCX minivans. |
| Plenty, especially if you read what the pundits and | | | | Overpriced - Fully loaded Commanders are |
| prognosticators have to say about the new Jeep. | | | | retailing for well over $40,000. While this price |
| No vehicle introduction should be problematic | | | | range can be expected for the likes of a Yukon, |
| however, as for the Jeep Commander this model | | | | Tahoe, or Expedition, it can't for the Commander. |
| has fallen well short of sales goals. There are | | | | Of course, the Commander is bigger than the |
| many reasons why the Commander may be | | | | Gran Cherokee which is priced just under |
| failing to live up to expectations including: | | | | $40,000. However, if you put the two models |
| High Fuel Prices - Gasoline pushing past $2.50 per | | | | side by side, many would say that the Gran |
| gallon cannot help any SUV. With the | | | | Cherokee is the better of the two. |
| Commander's three thirsty engine choices, the | | | | So, will DaimlerChrysler actually discontinue the |
| price at the pump can be painful. Yet, the even | | | | Commander? That isn't likely. Instead, look for big |
| bigger Chevrolet Tahoe is selling well despite high | | | | rebates to remain in place and production to be |
| fuel prices. | | | | permanently cut back. For the long term, DCX will |
| Dated Styling - Jeep mentions the Commander's | | | | need to give some serious consideration as to |
| "heritage exterior design" as one of the chief | | | | whether the Commander will remain part of the |
| draws for the vehicle. Take one look at the | | | | Jeep line up. In my opinion, if it does, it needs to |
| Commander, and the styling cues of the 1984 | | | | be seriously overhauled in order to compete in |
| Jeep Cherokee quickly come to mind. While some | | | | today's marketplace. |
| vehicles successfully incorporate "the look" of an | | | | In all, the Commander is a costly mistake for the |
| earlier model without copying the style, the | | | | automaker. During these times of strong and |
| Commander looks awfully like the earlier | | | | aggressive competition, the Commander is a |
| Cherokee, only stretched out. Personally, I find | | | | misstep that cannot be ignored by |
| the style to be dated and awkward. | | | | DaimlerChrysler. Goodness knows the |
| Cramped Interior - Put the Commander up | | | | Commander is being ignored by Jeep faithful who |
| against the next biggest Jeep, the Gran | | | | are spurning the model altogether. |