Luxury vehicle maker pulls the plug in Australia. Is this vehicle about to become a collector's item?
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For many Australian motorists, their vehicle is their pride and joy.
Owners of certain utes, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, saw the ute as a symbol of rugged luxury and adventure.
However, the tides have turned for this iconic family ute and its owners.
Global automotive giant Stellantis recently announced that they are discontinuing the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Australia.
This decision came as a shock to many, especially considering the vehicle's once-dominant presence on Australian roads.
The Grand Cherokee's journey Down Under has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
It reached its peak in 2014 when it was crowned as Australia's best-selling large SUV, surpassing the Toyota Prado.
However, the Australian automotive landscape has shifted dramatically since then.
Last year, sales for the Grand Cherokee plummeted by 48.3 per cent from the previous year.
Stellantis only sold 645 units, compared to 1247 units in 2023.
This stark decline reflected a broader trend for Jeep in Australia, with the brand's total sales diving by 48.7 per cent in the same period.
Stellantis, a conglomerate composed of luxury vehicle brands such as Jeep, RAM, Peugeot, Maserati, and electric vehicle brand Leapmotor, faced its challenges.
Other Stellantis brands like Citroen, Chrysler, DS, Dodge, and Opel already ceased selling cars in Australia.
The company experienced a staggering 70 per cent drop in profit in 2024 compared to the previous year.
This financial downturn forced Stellantis to make tough decisions, including the discontinuation of several models.
A Stellantis spokesperson explained that the Grand Cherokee no longer aligns with customers' preferences.
'We have made the difficult decision to pause availability of the current model Jeep Grand Cherokee in Australia,' a Stellantis spokesperson added.
Instead, the company shifted its focus to introducing products that better suit the local market.
These vehicles included the Jeep Avenger, a compact electric vehicle, and the upcoming electric midsize SUV, the Jeep Wagoneer S.
The Grand Cherokee's decline in Australia can be attributed to several factors.
A significant price hike of $20,000 for the 2023 units did not entice customers.
Additionally, the model's history of reliability issues and Jeep's less-than-stellar response to consumer concerns have tarnished its reputation.
In 2023, over 40,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee units were recalled over a defect in its fuel pump.
The recall affected units made and sold between 2011 and 2022.
Despite the gloomy news, there's a silver lining for Grand Cherokee enthusiasts.
The remaining stocks are available for sale with a hefty discount of nearly $13,000.
This discount could be the last chance for Aussies to own a piece of automotive history before the Grand Cherokee becomes a relic of the past.
This recent move led to concerns among Australian Jeep dealers, who are considering legal action against Stellantis for fear of a similar fate.
As Stellantis navigates these turbulent waters, the future of Jeep in Australia remains uncertain.
The company's commitment to a greener lineup and the introduction of new electric models may pave the way for a resurgence.
However, for the time being, the Grand Cherokee's departure could mark the end of an era for Jeep enthusiasts Down Under.
Have you or a family member owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee? What are your memories of this iconic SUV? Will Stellantis' shift towards electric vehicles fill the void left by the Grand Cherokee's exit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Owners of certain utes, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, saw the ute as a symbol of rugged luxury and adventure.
However, the tides have turned for this iconic family ute and its owners.
Global automotive giant Stellantis recently announced that they are discontinuing the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Australia.
This decision came as a shock to many, especially considering the vehicle's once-dominant presence on Australian roads.
The Grand Cherokee's journey Down Under has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
It reached its peak in 2014 when it was crowned as Australia's best-selling large SUV, surpassing the Toyota Prado.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee prided itself as the most sought-after family ute. Image Credit: Jeep Australia
However, the Australian automotive landscape has shifted dramatically since then.
Last year, sales for the Grand Cherokee plummeted by 48.3 per cent from the previous year.
Stellantis only sold 645 units, compared to 1247 units in 2023.
This stark decline reflected a broader trend for Jeep in Australia, with the brand's total sales diving by 48.7 per cent in the same period.
Stellantis, a conglomerate composed of luxury vehicle brands such as Jeep, RAM, Peugeot, Maserati, and electric vehicle brand Leapmotor, faced its challenges.
Other Stellantis brands like Citroen, Chrysler, DS, Dodge, and Opel already ceased selling cars in Australia.
The company experienced a staggering 70 per cent drop in profit in 2024 compared to the previous year.
This financial downturn forced Stellantis to make tough decisions, including the discontinuation of several models.
A Stellantis spokesperson explained that the Grand Cherokee no longer aligns with customers' preferences.
'We have made the difficult decision to pause availability of the current model Jeep Grand Cherokee in Australia,' a Stellantis spokesperson added.
Instead, the company shifted its focus to introducing products that better suit the local market.
These vehicles included the Jeep Avenger, a compact electric vehicle, and the upcoming electric midsize SUV, the Jeep Wagoneer S.
The Grand Cherokee's decline in Australia can be attributed to several factors.
A significant price hike of $20,000 for the 2023 units did not entice customers.
Additionally, the model's history of reliability issues and Jeep's less-than-stellar response to consumer concerns have tarnished its reputation.
In 2023, over 40,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee units were recalled over a defect in its fuel pump.
The recall affected units made and sold between 2011 and 2022.
Despite the gloomy news, there's a silver lining for Grand Cherokee enthusiasts.
The remaining stocks are available for sale with a hefty discount of nearly $13,000.
This discount could be the last chance for Aussies to own a piece of automotive history before the Grand Cherokee becomes a relic of the past.
This recent move led to concerns among Australian Jeep dealers, who are considering legal action against Stellantis for fear of a similar fate.
As Stellantis navigates these turbulent waters, the future of Jeep in Australia remains uncertain.
The company's commitment to a greener lineup and the introduction of new electric models may pave the way for a resurgence.
However, for the time being, the Grand Cherokee's departure could mark the end of an era for Jeep enthusiasts Down Under.
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