| PRESS RELEASE - April 5, 2006
 Breakthrough Jeep® Compass Conquers All-New Territory for $15,985
- All-new Jeep® Compass expands Jeep lineup - modern design appeals to
new, youthful Jeep buyers in global compact SUV segment
- Value abounds with excellent fuel economy, cool innovations and long
list of standard safety features (side-curtain air bags, ESP, Traction
Control, ABS)
- Compact SUV segment expected to triple in volume by 2016 in United
States
Chrysler Group announced the U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
(MSRP) for its all-new 2007 Jeep® Compass is $15,985 (including $560
destination). A modern-styled Jeep that delivers fun, freedom, utility and
Jeep 4x4 capability, the Compass provides excellent fuel economy, safety,
and interior flexibility - all at a great value - in the compact SUV
segment.
The Jeep Compass will begin to arrive in U.S. dealerships and
international volume markets in the third quarter of this year.
"With Compass, Jeep continues to expand globally by offering a
fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and affordably-priced Jeep vehicle designed
to reach youthful customers who may not have previously considered the
brand," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President - Global Marketing,
Chrysler Group. "Compass is a new type of Jeep vehicle for non-traditional
Jeep buyers. It allows the brand to compete in the fast-growing compact
SUV segment, where there is increasing market demand for fuel economy,
ride comfort and efficient packaging in an SUV."
Annual compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2005 calendar
year was 368,000 units, up from 297,000 units in 2004. The compact SUV
segment is expected to almost double to approximately 600,000 units by
2010 and almost triple to more than 814,000 units by 2016.
The newest Jeep will be available in both Compass and Compass Limited
models. Both are available with front-wheel and four-wheel-drive
capability.
"Jeep Compass will offer customers the confidence and assurance that
comes with Jeep 4x4 capability," said Larry Lyons, Vice President -
Front-wheel Drive Product Team. "Compass is a breakthrough all-new Jeep
vehicle that provides the utility and functionality of an SUV with the
performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a small car or small
pickup."
Jeep Compass' available, active, full-time 4x4 system (Freedom Drive I)
is recommended for daily use, including driving in snow and rain. The
four-wheel-drive "Lock" mode is recommended for deep snow, deep sand and
other low-traction surfaces.
Jeep Compass Jeep Compass includes a standard 172-horsepower
2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. The
MSRP for Jeep Compass is $15,985 (including $560 destination), and $17,585
(including $560 destination) for Jeep Compass 4x4 models.
Other standard equipment items on Jeep Compass include:
- Side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction
Control and ABS 60/40 rear split seats
- Fold-flat vinyl load floor (UltraFloor TM)
- AM/FM CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, cloth seats,
12-volt power outlet, manual windows, locks and foldaway mirrors
- Silver interior bezels and door arm-rests, tilt steering wheel, dome
and cargo lights, floor mats and a center console sliding armrest that
moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers (the armrest lid
features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player)
Additional exterior standard features include fog lamps, body-color
grille and fascias, body-color bodyside molding, black door handles,
accent-color liftgate appliqué and 17-inch aluminum wheels and touring
tires.
Optional features available on Jeep Compass include:
- A second generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT2)Sunroof
- AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player and MP3 CD play capability
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio
- Reclining rear seats, fold-flat passenger seat, passenger assist
handles, illuminated entry, and manual height adjuster
- Air conditioning
- Power Group (which includes driver one-touch power windows, power
locks, remote keyless entry and power mirrors)
- Deep-tinted glass
- Security Group (alarm, tonneau cover, daytime running lamps)
- Trailer tow prep package
- 17-inch all-terrain OWL tires
- Full-size spare tire
- Removable, rechargeable interior lamp, map lights
- Speed control
- YES Essentials® worry-free fabric
- Driver Convenience Group (which includes tire pressure monitor and
electrochromic mirror, compass, temperature gauge, Universal Garage Door
opener and Electronic Vehicle Information Center)
- Nine-speaker 458-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system that
features two flip-down speakers packaged in the liftgate
Jeep Compass "E" Package A special package available on Jeep
Compass adds a number of popular features as standard. The MSRP for Jeep
Compass models equipped with the "E" Package is $18,585 and $20,185 for
4x4 models.
In addition to the standard features on the Jeep Compass model, the "E"
package features the following items as standard:
- Power, fold-away mirrors, driver one-touch power windows, speed
sensitive power locks, Remote Keyless Entry
- Air Conditioning
- 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, map/dome reading lamps and interior
removable/rechargeable lamp
- Reclining rear seats, driver seat height adjuster, front-passenger
forward fold-flat seat, passenger assist handles, deep tint sunscreen
glass
Jeep Compass Limited The Jeep Compass Limited also is available
in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive (Freedom Drive I) and features a
standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed
manual transaxle. The MSRP for the Jeep Compass Limited is $20,140
(including $560 destination). The MSRP for the Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 is
$21,740 (including $560 destination).
In addition to the standard features on the Jeep Compass models
equipped with the "E" package the Limited model features:
- Leather trimmed bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
steering wheel mounted audio controls, speed control and heated seats
- 18-inch aluminum wheels and all-season performance tires
- Bright front and rear fascia overlays, bright side moldings
- Driver lumbar support
Beyond those offered on the Jeep Compass model, available options on
the Jeep Compass Limited model include:
- A second generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT2) with
Autostick
- 18-inch chrome clad wheels
- UConnect hands-free communication system
Jeep Brand The Jeep brand's 65-year history of legendary
capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and
authenticity. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise
to provide versatile, innovative four-wheel-drive vehicles with the
introduction of the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler and the 2007 Jeep Compass.
"The Jeep brand is on a product offensive, and will continue to grow
with new offerings that leverage Jeep's legendary 4x4 leadership," said
John Plecha, Director - Jeep Marketing. "We're solidifying the Jeep
brand's foundation with the bigger, more powerful all-new 2007 Jeep
Wrangler - the most capable off-road vehicle in the world - while also
stretching the brand to reach new customers with Jeep Compass."
Sales of Jeep brand vehicles increased 12 percent in 2005 to their
highest total since 2000 to 476,532 units compared with 2004 sales of
427,329 units. The positive sales momentum for the brand has continued
this year. Through March, Jeep brand sales in 2006 are 10 percent more
than the same period in 2005.
Belvidere(Ill.) Assembly Plant Production of the all-new 2007
Jeep Compass will begin at the Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant in May.
Chrysler Group launched a second production shift at the Belvidere
facility in March, which doubled the plant's production capacity. The
addition of the second shift raised total employment at the facility from
1,650 to 2,650 employees.
2007 Jeep Compass Pricing
- Jeep Compass. 4x4: $15,985, 4x2: $17,585
- Jeep Compass "E" Package. 4x4: $18,585, 4x2: $20,185
- Jeep Compass Limited. 4x4: $20,140, 4x2: $21,740
(All Prices Include $560 destination)
Source: DaimlerChrysler Media Services.
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