by : Joe Kent



As Chrysler suffers and continues to lose money, theCerberus Capital Owned automaker is looking for ways to fix the company,starting with the areas that are bleeding the most. The Jeep Commander was anobvious choice to be eliminated as it is the slowest seller of all of Jeep’ssix models. As Jeep’s biggest SUV offering, dealers such as felt that the decision is most likely attributed tochanges in consumer attitudes that have led buyers to buy small and more fuelefficient vehicle, which the Commander is not.

The Jeep Commander is the fifth model tobe dropped by CCM.Part of the strategy is to remove vehicles within the Chrysler umbrellathat competefor the same customer. With 11 SUVs offered being the US automaker,there was obviouslysome overlapping in terms of which markets are being over served.Chrysler already offers the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen in thesame segment the Commander fills.

Jeep and Chrysler did not anticipate such a steep decline inthis once hot market. But with the recent extreme surges in gasoline prices, Jeep dealer likely will not miss the Commander. Nationwide sales of the Commanderdropped 29 percent last year along, with sales in the first quarter ofthis year looking dismal.

The Commander was also Jeep’s most expensive product, notes , withpricing that could reach into the low forties. As a gas-guzzling vehicle, itlost appeal with consumers who are increasing money conscious amid high fuelcosts and a weak economy.