Slow Start: Jeep Compass Not Met With Same Initial Demand as Dodge Caliber

A young couple walked into Alan Helfman's River Oaks Chrysler-Jeep store in Houston last month fully expecting to buy the 2007 Compass, Jeep's first-ever car-based crossover.

But they left with a more expensive Liberty -- one loaded with incentives. Customers "will upgrade if they see a good deal at the next level," Helfman says.

As Chrysler dealers offer discounts on 2006 and existing 2007 models, they compete with the Compass, launched in July. The discounting may have slowed the Compass launch a little, although Chrysler says it is pleased so far. Early signs are that the Compass is off to a slower start than the Dodge Caliber. The average transaction price has dropped from $22,467 when the Compass was launched to $21,534 as of Sept. 24, according to the Power Information Network.

In contrast, transaction prices for the Caliber have risen from $17,059 at launch in March to $18,276 as of Sept. 24.
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Mark - 10/10/2006 10:31:28 AM

+1 Boost

I wonder why, maybe because mass America has seen what a POS this thing is. Very cheap plastic even for Jeep, and nothing to offer that you can't find in a better performing and better looking alternative.

A waste of time and money for Jeep.

bubbahotep - 10/10/2006 12:33:20 PM

+1 Boost

There is no reason why this vehilce should start at over 20,000....Add poor marketing and timing on top of that and what else do you expect....

opus - 10/10/2006 9:19:08 PM

+1 Boost

Add on that the compass is one of the fugliest cars on the market. The Patriot will sell when it hits the lots. The compass was destined to fail, it is General Motors consumer clinic theory, put to work by DCX. Some women walked in and thought it looked sportier than the Patriot and voila, DCX took the bait.

zombie8 - 10/14/2006 12:25:37 PM

+1 Boost

This looks like an update to the Pontiac Aztek. It just plain sucks. Why did they bother with this? Women who want to drive a Jeep don't want to drive a Jeep-ette. That said, yes, the Patriot looks pretty cool - like the old Cherokees. I'll be they'll sell lots of them.