Jeep Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2013

I've reported several times about how successful the sales of the world's most hardcore offroad automotive brand have been.  Jeep is reporting that they have yet again set an all-time sales record with their 2013 sales totals.  This actually marks two years in a row in which they have set an all-time record, as I reported last year about their phenomenal 2012 model-year sales.

Autoblog has all the brand numbers, but AutoGuide goes in depth with each Jeep model's individual sales, with Chrysler's own press release backing them up.  The Grand Cherokee again came out on top, but the Wrangler's sales of 210,715 handily surpassed its last year's record of 194,142 units.

Chrysler's press release states the following good news about the Jeep brand's popularity:

January 6, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - For the second consecutive year, the Jeep_® brand has set a new all-time global sales record.  Sales of 731,565 Jeep vehicles across the globe in 2013 bettered the previous record of 701,626 established in 2012.

“Jeep vehicles have now recorded sales increases both globally and in the U.S. market for four consecutive years, with back-to-back global sales records,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.  “Customers clearly appreciate the new Jeep vehicle lineup that delivers vastly improved on-road driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, in addition to legendary, benchmark 4x4 capability.

“We are especially pleased with the performance of Jeep Cherokee, which sold more than 25,000 units in its first two months in dealer showrooms,” Manley added.  “We achieved this record while being out of the world’s largest SUV segment for three quarters of the year.  With a full lineup of capable, efficient SUVs – and with Cherokee arriving in Jeep showrooms across the globe – we expect to continue our sales momentum in 2014.”

Jeep vehicle sales increased 4 percent globally in 2013 versus 2012, and 3 percent in the U.S.

Jeep sales rose 26 percent in the Asia-Pacific region in 2013.  In China – the world’s largest automobile market – Jeep sales grew 29 percent in 2013.

Jeep vehicle sales were led globally and in the U.S. by Grand Cherokee (255,005 global; 174,275 U.S.), followed by Wrangler (210,715 global; 155,502 U.S.), Compass (121,626 global; 52,993 U.S.), Patriot (103,577 global; 75,797 U.S.) and Cherokee (31,330 global; 25,786 U.S.).

The sales totals for Jeep Compass, Patriot and Wrangler marked their best-ever global and U.S. sales numbers.

2013 marked the fourth consecutive year of increased Jeep sales, both globally and in the U.S.  In 2012 the brand recorded increases of 19 percent global and 13 percent in the U.S. versus 2011.  The previous two years saw increases of 41 percent global/41 percent U.S., and 24 percent global/26 percent U.S.)

President Reagan's Jeep CJ-6 and CJ-8 Scrambler

Real men drive Jeeps

President Ronald Reagan was many things: a lifeguard credited with saving 77 people, a sporting goods salesman, a college football player, a U.S. Cavalry officer, a Hollywood actor, a television spokesman, California's Governor from 1967-1975, and the 40th President of the United States of America from 1981-1989.  Most famous for his Presidency, his Libertarian views and economic policy helped pull us out of a depression and into a 25-year economic boom.  He drove liberals nuts, and to this day he's the kind of leader whom conservatives wish they could find again.  His steadfast leadership as President helped us win the Cold War and avert nuclear war.  Ronald Reagan was a man's man.

What sort of vehicle would such a man drive?  Not just one, but two Jeeps.

Reagan's 1962 Jeep CJ-6

Reagan's 1983 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler

In 1974, Ronald and his wife Nancy bought a 688-acre ranch in Southern California named Rancho del Cielo to use as a peaceful getaway from the stress of the political world.  Unlike our current pampered President with his dozens of aides and even a $102,000/year salaried dog walker, Reagan was a tough outdoorsman who wasn't afraid of doing a little hard work himself, so to assist him on the ranch chores he purchased a 1962 Jeep CJ-6.

The CJ-6 lived a hard life, but its 134-cubic-inch 72hp F-Head inline-4 and T-90 three-speed reliably put power to the Spicer 18 transfer case, Ramsey PT1J dual-output PTO gearbox, Ramsey 8,000lb PTO winch, and Dana 25/44 axles.

Reagan didn't just use his Jeep for photo ops; the dirt and dents illustrate the life of a hard-working Jeep and a hard-working owner.  What better way to recharge one's batteries than to get away from the political zoo by spending some time getting back to nature on your own ranch?  Reagan once said of Rancho del Cielo:

"No place before or since has ever given Nancy and me the joy and serenity it does."

In 1983, Nancy Reagan purchased a new Jeep for Ronald, a 1983 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler Renegade:

 

 

The Reagans' Scrambler was powered by the 4.2-liter inline-6 with the Borg-Warner SR-4 four-speed manual transmission.  Power was split by the Dana 300 transfer case to a set of wide-track Dana 30 and AMC 20 axles.

 

Although Jeep designed and marketed the CJ-8 as a hard-working utility truck, Reagan seems to have preferred to treat his kindly and reserve the hard work for the trusty old CJ-6.

The Reagans used the Scrambler as more of an offroad shuttle for visitors to their ranch, the most famous of whom was the Soviet Union's President Mikhail Gorbachev.  Could a ride in this Jeep, a visit to this paradise, and some quality time together outside of the political world have helped these two opponents whose countries were on the verge of nuclear war resolve their differences and achieve societal prosperity?  I like to think so.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan last visited their ranch in 1995.  With President Reagan's advancing age and declining health, they decided to donate the Jeeps and sell the ranch to the Young America's Foundation which today preserves Rancho del Cielo as a living monument to Reagan's ideals and values.  While both of the Jeeps continue to live at the ranch, only the Scrambler is on public display; the beat-up old CJ-6 lives in the tack barn with the chain saws, mowers, and other tools of the ranch.

JP Magazine, which is the world's top Jeep-specific magazine, managed to get a special look at the Reagans' two Jeeps a few years ago.  You can read the article republished here on their website.  If you want to learn more about the Reagan Ranch or visit the President's Jeeps yourself, head over to the Young America's Foundation.

The Jeep Wave

The Jeep Wave is a sacred tradition amongst Jeep owners, carried down through the generations from its origin with our military servicemen.  Camaraderie amongst soldiers carried over to civilian Jeep owners after the war, and as the respect and mystique surrounding the Jeep brand grew over the years, Jeep owners became a prouder bunch.

Since the very beginning, Jeep owners have been a breed apart from typical motorists.  Jeeps are driven by people who care about more than just a comfy ride and ergonomic controls; Jeeps are about fun, durability, and individuality.  Jeeps aren't just transportation appliances, they're toys.  We recognize other Jeep owners as members of an informal club of cool kids - when we see another Jeep coming our way, we can be pretty certain that its driver is someone with whom we'd get along well.  Hence, the Jeep Wave.

As the popularity of Jeeps and the vehicles they inspired has grown, the Jeep Wave has expanded to include other worthy offroad vehicles.

Before I became a Jeep owner, I built several very trailworthy Suzukis, Toyotas, and military vehicles.  I have always waved at well-built 4x4s, but now that I'm a Jeep owner, I wave at every Jeep I pass no matter how modified it is.  Sure, soccer moms aren't very likely to wave back, but that's not the point.

This YouTube video caught my attention as it discusses the Jeep Wave:

Not all offroaders drive Jeeps, but all offroaders are Jeepers who share the love and appreciation for our sport and the wonderful people who partake in it.  When you pass a nice 4x4, shoot your hand out the window and flash a smile - you never know whose day you'll make! 

Pete Rose - soft heart for Jeep 4x4s

Came across this 1978 article from Jeep News about Pete Rose and his gifting of 10 Jeep CJ's to his friends on the Cincinnati Reds. It was a "thank-you" for supporting him in his 44 consecutive game hitting streak.

I'm reprinting the article here for easier reading:
"Pete Rose Gets 44 Hits and 10 Jeep CJ's"

   "It is no coincidence that Pete Rose and Jeep vehicles are two of Ohio's most famous products. They both have world-wide reputations for being tough, reliable performers in the field no matter where they happen to be playing, they both have rugged good looks, and they both seem to draw a crowd of admirers wherever they go. Nevertheless, this Jeep News reporter (Russel Sehnert), was quite surprised to learn that his boyhood hero, now an old timer at 37 in the baseball world, bought ten Jeep CJ's to present to certain people in appreciation for what they did for him during his outstanding career with the Cincinnati Reds.

   Rose's love affair really began in 1975 after he won the Most Valuable Player Award in the World Series that year. 'They gave me a choice of products from American Motors,' Rose said. 'And I was just drawn to the Jeep CJ. I liked driving it around with the top off, and it was great for taking on fishing trips with some of the other players and coaches.'
   'The big reason I decided to give Jeep CJ's to my friends on the Cincinnati Reds was that I wanted to give them something instead of cash. They all could use a Jeep, as most of them fish or hunt, and several live on farms, and drive in snow in the winter. I even got two tops for the guys who live in the north...I asked them if they'd like one, and everyone said, 'yes!' "

He was an amazing player. I still remember traveling across country in our Ford LTD listening in as Pete extended his hitting streak day after day. Quite an amazing run.

1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas - Jeep Song

The 1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas was an ambitious 21,000 mile trip from the southern tip of South America to uppermost tip of Alaska. Mark Smith and his team of partners took stock Jeep CJ-7 and Wagoneers to accomplish this feat. But why did they do it? They were not sponsored by any company and put up their own money for the expedition. A five month excursion. The resounding message in this clip was "for the thrill of it." They put their Yankee ingenuity and Jeep equipment to the test, especially when crossing the wild Darien Gap. These explorers did it so they could enjoy the adventure for its own sake. They did it all for the pure joy and adventure of just doing it.

A song at the 16:14 mark carries the message though of this amazing adventure:

There’s a spot that finds its way

into a special kind of man

that lights a fire deep in his soul

that tells him “yes you can.”

He can get out from behind his desk

And go try something new

Driving up the side of the world

Is just the thing to do.

Cause he’s driven by a dream

A rainbow is his guide

He get’s his strength from mother earth

And a billion starry lights

He’s driven by a dream

Crossing rivers, climbing trees

To turn the heartaches and the joys

Into treasured … memories.

This spark becomes a torch

And is passed from man to man

You can see it in their faces

As they go lend a hand

Each step makes him taller

And fills his heart with pride

When your driving up the side of the world

You take it all in stride

Roosevelt and General Patton Jeep

Roosevelt Jeep, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Found this wonderful shot of President Franklin D. Roosevelt seated in a Jeep with hat over his heart. General George Patton can be seen saluting the flag on the other side of the Jeep vehicle. Photo was taken in Casablanca on 01/18/1943. I touched up the dust spots from the original.

Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library.

Jeep Willys MB Water Fording Kit

Jeep Willys MB Water Fording Kit, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Sometimes I visit eBay to see what Jeep items folks out there are putting up for sale. This gem came up from someone in the Toledo area. It's the original artwork used for the Willys MB Water Fording Kit. Thankfully the shots were of decent quality as I was able to clean up the image and fill in the frayed edges and soiling.

An unmodified Willys MB was able to water ford about 21 inches of water before the transfer case vents and fuel pump have issues. Troops in the field were modifying their Jeep 4x4s to survive deep water in their beach landings. This included sealing the distributor and ignition system, and adding an intake snorkel and extending the exhaust system among other things. Willys-Overland engineers were tasked with coming up with a kit to distribute to the troops.

This is just one example of the many ways the Willys MB Jeep 4x4 was modified for use in the field during World War II.