Jeep Compass and Patriot Replacement Spotted!

Posted on May 28, 2015 by baysideadmin

Many aspects of Fiat-Chrysler’s previously announced five-year strategy have yet to come to pass. So far, everything seems to be in line as some models get ready to get put away and to be replaced that new vehicles. As part of the Jeep brand, the Patriot and the Compass are going away for a time and will be getting a new Jeep to replace the two. What it should be in theory is a half-way point between the new starter Jeep Renegade and the new popular Jeep Cherokee. That Jeep, or at least a prototype, was spotted in the open.

Jeep wasn’t too shy about it either. It was the first public road test of this new unnamed Jeep. Motor Authority got their hands on the pictures and, sadly in this case, the prototype looks to be not too different from the Renegade. It makes sense that the newest design for a Jeep, the Renegade, would be the starter platform for anything new to come into the Jeep brand.

Another look, as Motor Authority shows, that this isn’t simply a Renegade. The test mule shown in the shots has a longer rear section. What else is known isn’t what is seen in the prototype and that is that the new nine-speed automatic transmission will likely be an option and all-wheel drive will also probably be available.

What would you like to see in the new Jeep slated to replace the Patriot and the Compass? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re interested in learning more about Jeep vehicles, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. View our new and used inventory online. Check out our mobile app to schedule and keep track of your service appointments. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel, to stay up to date on auto news and our special monthly offers.

Jeep Versus Range Rover

Posted on May 13, 2015 by baysideadmin

It looks like Jeep is gearing up to take on the Range Rover.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is quoted by Bloomberg Business as having said as much at the opening of a Alfa Romeo and Maserati dealership near Toronto the other week.

“When I see a Range Rover on the street, my blood boils, because we should be able to do a thing like that, and we will.”

Jeep seems poised to be able to take on some risks at the moment. It has been one of the most successful brands under the Chrysler umbrella. Since 2009, the global sales have gone up more than fourfold according to the article. The demand for Jeeps on a local and global scale are at a high for the company.

Bloomberg spoke with a dealership owner who definitely wants Jeep to pursue the goal of having a direct competitor to the Range Rover. “You put Jeep on the front of anything right now and you’re OK,” he said.

Despite the uphill struggle that Jeep would have to position itself against Range Rover, Jack Nerad, an analyst at KBB.com, thinks it may be possible. “But Jeep is unique. There’s really no substitute for it in the market and that puts them in a pretty good position. There’s a lot of opportunity there.”

Do you think it is time for Jeep to compete with Range Rover?

Jeep Cherokee Radio Ad Causes Controversy

Posted on April 1, 2015 by baysideadmin

We’ve all had that moment, watching a movie or an ad where someone is doing some serious stunt driving. I have that all the time while watching a Fast and Furious film. It’s a fantasy to want to rush out and hop into a car and attempt to replicate the outrageous stunts. However, a recent ad for the Jeep Cherokee has some critics concerned it is endorsing dangerous driving.

The Guardian points to complaints over in England having issues with a Jeep radio ad that encouraged drivers to drive the Jeep Cherokee dangerously in winter weather. The ad featured a weather forecast calling for a ton of snow. A voice-over comes on saying, “Time to play” with a cut away to hearing “snow mode activated” in an electronic voice. The tag line was then announced: “Make winter your favorite sport with Jeep. This season, get the new Jeep Cherokee.”

The line of “time to play” is what is causing Jeep the most grief. A massive amount of 6 people complained that this specific line was the culprit for irresponsible driving. This line proved that Jeep was secretly informing drivers to use the Jeep Cherokee no matter the weather, and lizard people are real.

Fiat-Chrysler’s response was that the line was meant to single that the Cherokee is ideal for winter weather and has modes made to help drivers out on the ice and snow. The RACC, the clearance body of commercial radio’s advertising, agreed with Chrysler’s statement. However, the Advertising Standards Authority did not.

They saw the “time to play” line as “…subsequently encouraged unsafe driving practices.” It is hard not to shake my head at this. We have, as a public, been widely informed on how marketing works. There’s even a popular TV show centered on the people who use media to manipulate emotions to get people to buy products. There is always the question of when does marketing cross a line and with the world of car commercials out there, I can’t say this one did anything egregious. Chrysler is right that the “time to play” is in reference to the people who enjoy Jeeps for what they can do, especially in bad weather. To say that it encourages bad driving is just silly.

Check out the Jeep Cherokee and other Jeeps at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. View our new and used inventory online. Check out our mobile app to schedule and keep track of your service appointments. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel, to stay up to date on auto news and our special monthly offers.