Jeep, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, recently showcased its 2011 product lineup for the South Florida automotive press at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and previewed its top of the line luxury model for 2012.
On display in a secluded hotel courtyard were the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, the iconic Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass and the all-new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT, the top of the line luxury SUV making its first public appearance.
Jeep product marketing manager Jim Morrison told the auto press gathering that a Renaissance is underway at Jeep, and rising sales reflect the improvement in the product.
“Jeep has an entirely new product line from what it was just two years ago,” Morrison said. “And it shows in our sales, both nationally and here in Miami. Jeep sales are up 44 percent nationally over a year ago through May. Auto industry overall sales are up 14 percent, so Jeep sales are doing three times better than the auto industry. And we’re doing even better in Miami; Jeep sales in the Miami market are up 77 percent over a year ago.”
Morrison said the Jeep surge was led by sales of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, with sales up almost 400 percent in Miami over a year ago.
Morrison noted that the entire Jeep vehicle lineup has been significantly enhanced for 2011 to celebrate Jeep’s 70th anniversary and that distinctive 70th Anniversary Edition models have been created.
Morrison also unveiled the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT for the Miami automotive press members, the first time the luxury model has ever been seen by the public.
“This is the most technologically advanced, fastest Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT that we’ve ever made,” Morrison said. “It has a 465 hp engine and makes 465 pounds-feet of torque, clocks 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and it will tow up to 5,000 pounds.”
Morrison added that the new Jeep product line is only a hint of things to come.
