2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo on 2040-cars

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2017 Jeep Model Year Preview and Updates

This will be a huge year for Jeep, with the introduction of an all-new compact Compass crossover - pictured above - taking place in November, 2016 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and the pending introduction of an all-new Wrangler later in the calendar year. Not all Jeep products are Trail Rated, but those models will get the most marketing attention. CHEROKEE: Jeep's midsize crossover receives a mild refresh as it makes its way from assembly in Toledo, Ohio to a retooled plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Most of the Jeep feature updates are directed to the Cherokee Trailhawk, which receives heated/ventilated front seats covered in Nappa leather, a power eight-way driver's seat, Keyless Entry 'n Go and remote start. An upscale Overland trim adds a Heavy Duty Protection Group and Trailer Tow Prep packages. COMPASS: This all-new 'global' compact SUV will be built and sold around the world. Sitting atop FCA's 'small wide 4X4 platform' (like the newish Renegade), the Compass offers a more substantial presence than the smaller Renegade, while promising to be more maneuverable and responsive – at least with comparable four-cylinder power – than the larger Cherokee. Expect the 2018 Compass to arrive in Jeep showrooms by midyear. GRAND CHEROKEE: The Trailhawk, with up to eleven inches of ground clearance, best-in-class towing and a crawl ratio of 44.1:1, is revived, three new exterior colors are added, and the front fascia on all '17 Grand Cherokees is tweaked. For those wishing to reach the Summit, Jeep's Grand(est) Cherokee offers an upgraded interior, 'high' style. PATRIOT: At the tail end of its product cycle, the Patriot is unchanged. Of continued interest to Jeep enthusiasts is its genuine off-road credibility, propelled by the Patriot's Freedom Drive II off-road package. This includes a second-generation CVT2L (CVT transmission with low range), skid plates and a more offroad-centric wheel/tire combination. RENEGADE: If you're a traditional Jeep enthusiast you'll wonder why anyone would consider a Renegade. And if you're a new Jeep enthusiast you'll wonder why anyone would disregard this popular Jeep introduction. Still new to the showroom, in 2017 Jeep introduces two new trims: the offroad-oriented Deserthawk and attitude-oriented Altitude.

FCA's UAW workers to get $8,010 profit-sharing payout

UAW workers at FCA will soon be receiving $8,010 checks, which represent profit-sharing based on the company's 2020 performance. Although FCA's profit margins in 2020 were slimmer than the year prior, the union-employee payouts are slightly larger, due to a change in the formula that was negotiated in 2019 and has now gone into effect. Employees are now paid $900 for every 1% of profit margin FCA achieves in its North American operations. For 2020, the company enjoyed an 8.9% profit margin, and although that was down slightly from 9.1% in 2019, the checks are larger than last year's $7,280 payout. Still, FCA employees didn't fare quite as well as their counterparts at GM, who stand to receive profit-sharing checks of up to $9,000. GM workers did even better last year, netting $10,000. UAW workers at Ford had less to celebrate. They'll receive $3,525, based on the company's 2020 performance. That's a steep drop from last year's $6,600. FCA earned $6.472 billion in North America in 2020. The company is expecting an improved financial performance in 2021, as it's expected to avoid another coronavirus-related shutdown. It's also expected to benefit from the launch of the three-row Grand Cherokee L, as well as the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, all of which are high-margin products. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Happy 50th birthday, Jeep Wagoneer

The Wagoneer got the SUV on the radar of buyers looking for something capable, comfortable and rugged.
The Jeep Wagoneer was introduced 50 years ago, and it's that vehicle we have to thank for the herds of excellent crossovers and SUVs that make up our current automotive landscape. On a personal level, I have always loved the full-size Jeeps and their crisp Brooks Stevens styling, which aged well over their long tenure on the market. The SJs, as they're known among enthusiasts, were the Wagoneer and its two-door counterpart, the original Cherokee. The Wagoneers had become true luxury vehicles by the end of their run, which stretched form late 1962 as a '63 model all the way to 1991, when they were offered exclusively under the Grand Wagoneer nameplate.