Chrysler Sends The Cherokees To Japan
Chrysler is taking a page out of Ford’s playbook and will surprise and delight Japan with their “latest version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle, which features Chrysler’s new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine,” if The Nikkei [sub] is not mistaken.
Chrysler Japan has hopes for the new Grand Cherokee that was just release in the U.S. As a nod to the thrifty and CO2 conscious Japanese, Chrysler points out that the Pentastar V6, gives the Grand Cherokee boasts 30 percent better fuel economy than the existing Grand Cherokee with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine. Overabundant horsepower will be sacrificed.
According to the Nikkei, “Chrysler Group plans to switch to the new engine in other models that now use other V-6 engines, and Chrysler Japan will release these vehicles here as they become available.”
Chrysler Japan has boutique status in Japan. Their sales in 2009 were around 1,800. Says the Nikkei: “By emphasizing the Jeep brand, Chrysler Japan aims to boost overall sales to the 5,000-unit level in 2014.” Audacious plans.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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I just got back to the US, I was in Okayama and Takamatsu, both somewhat rural Japanese cities. Lots of Chryslers there (in relation to any other American car) lots of Jeeps and Cherokees, i did see a right hand Cherokee it was older though I saw some 300cs as well and a Challenger.
I think it is sort of a status symbol to drive an American or German car in Japan, at least it seemed so from my experience there. Just like it is a cool to drive a RHD Skyline in the US. LHD and all is part of the appeal. But there are few buyers looking for that sort of experience and the headaches in service and running cost that come with it. This is not a practical product for Japanese consumers.
"I think I read elsewhere that the Grand Cherokee won’t have a right-hand drive version? This will also not enhance its sales. They drive on the left in Japan." Considering that Jeep builds right hand drive versions for the UK market, they'd be stupid to sell a left hand drive Grand Cherokee in Japan. http://www.jeep.co.uk/grandcherokee/gallery.html Australia as well: http://www.jeep.com.au/grand_cherokee/features/styling/interior_accents.html
I'm surprised at 1800 sales, honestly I am. Freaking Nitros are everywhere in Tokyo. I think they drive more Liberties and Nitros than Suburbans and Hummers put together. At first I took pictures in surprise but it was useless: too many. Maybe their sales nosedived in the recent years.