November Sales Snapshot: Four-Wheelers
In keeping with our Jeep theme today, let’s take a look at how its off-road capable descendants are doing. There are a couple of qualifications here. I included the Dodge Nitro because I forgot to include it in the CUV snapshot. Or where does that belong? And I don’t have the premium European brands SUVs here. Would anyone take one off-road? But then the same applies to a few of the ones here too. Analysis and chart follows:
The Wrangler is clearly the king of the (potential) off-roaders, thanks two at least two developments. The Grand Cherokee has withered over the past few years. And Hummer’s endo, especially in the case of the H3, has handed the Wrangler a nice chunk of business. And of course the four-door Wrangler is more like an old Wagoneer than a CJ of yore. But overall, the category is clearly hurting, and November showed no sign of respite, except the XTerra’s 51% gain; probably an aberration, or? Potential Four Runner buyers are probably anticipating the new 2010 model or a miraculous improvement in their debt-equity ratio.
Ranked, YTD2009 November% changeYTD 09% changeJeep Wrangler4896-20%75246-3%Grand Cherokee3085-41%46231-32%Jeep Liberty3516-16%38894-38%Jeep PatriotDodge Nitro
19291164
-22%-35%
2867316235
-46%-53%
Toyota 4 Runner1689-45%15161-65%Nissan Xterra168251%14591-54%Toyota FJ1108-44%10338-60%Suzuki G.VitaraLexus GX
279209
-40%-78%
70455733
-40%-61%
Hummer H31048-89%5288-72%Lexus LX313-20%3230-56%Toyota Land Cruiser159-7%2071-42%Hummer H240-83%1469-74%
More by Paul Niedermeyer
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Where is Suzuki Grand Vitara (it's the one that's NOT based on some GM thing). It's a conventional 4x4 with a transfer case and low gear. Since you managed to get Pathfinder into CUVs, I checked 2 other posts, but it's nowhere.
Can't wait to pick up a Wrangler when my current lease is up this summer. Hopefully Fiatsler is still around making them...
In September I shopped for an 09 4WD FJ Cruiser in the Houston area. The best deal I encountered was a whopping 2.25% off MSRP. Ok, supply was very limited, I'll wait for the new model. Two weeks ago wandered into dealer I'd done business with in the past. They had a cruiser that fit my needs/desires. wants very well. I'm dealing with the fleet manager , so no nonsense about fighting with the sales manager. His offer?? "we get list price" Are you serious? I respond, even the BMW dealers are making concessions. I decide Mr. Toyoda needs the inventory more than I do & cross the cruiser off my list. I think I'll rebuild the tranny on my 88 FJ-62. Their business model is beyond my perception. Hope they can eat their inventory-they have no realistic expectation of selling cruisers.
Does the inclusion of the Patriot here mean the Caliber is also one of Jeep's "off-road capable descendants"?