2012 Jeep Patriot Sport Sport Utility 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Jeep sets all-time sales record in 2012

Last year was good to Jeep. Chrysler has announced its trail-rated brand set an all-time global sales record in 2012 by moving 701,626 units. That number easily surpasses the previous record set in 1999 when Jeep sold 675,494 models. All told, the brand saw a 19-percent sales increase worldwide over 2011, and much of that swell can be traced directly to the Wrangler. While the Grand Cherokee led Jeep sales, the Wrangler posted record numbers both globally and within the US, moving 194,142 and 141,669 units in each market, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Compass beat its previous global sales record with 103,321 units rolling off of dealer lots. In the US, Jeep sold 62,010 Patriot units, breaking that model's previous record as well. Jeep's impressive performance in 2012 marks the second year in a row the brand has seen double-digit percentage sales increases. Check out the full press release below.

Federal investigations about safety of rear-mounted gas tanks is nothing new

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Chrysler are currently making waves in our daily news feeds due to a disagreement over the safety of a few million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models. Specifically, NHTSA has asked Chrysler to recall the SUVs because of the location of their fuel tanks, but you may be interested to know that requests such as this are nothing new.
Besides the two Jeep models, NHTSA has launched investigations over the years in such models as the Ford Crown Victoria (and its police-car counterpart), GM pickups built between 1972 and 1987, and rather famously the Ford Pinto.
Understanding how automakers and NHTSA have dealt with fuel-tank-safety concerns in the past may offer a better understanding of how Chrysler and the government agency will settle their current dispute. Check out the complete article from The Detroit News here.

Radical 2016 Jeep Wrangler suggested by job listings?

With most inside the industry expecting the next-generation Jeep Wrangler to arrive for the 2016 model year, it makes sense that the automaker would be looking for some choice candidates to to fill program openings as the off-roader goes through its development. A recent ad on Chryslercareers.com suggests to some that the lightweight Wrangler Stitch Concept, revealed just two months ago and shown above, provides some clues about the off-road icon's next iteration.
According to Automotive News, the job descriptions - which don't name the model specifically - hint that the next-generation Wrangler will benefit from a serious diet. The ads appear to seek those familiar with advanced high-strength steels, hinting that lightweight aluminum body panels may appear on the 4x4. In addition, there are suggestions that Jeep may fit the Wrangler replacement with air suspension, as seen on the Ram and Grand Cherokee, to retain ample off-road clearance yet lower that chassis to improve aerodynamics at highway speeds. The job postings reportedly also lend credence to the idea of a diesel Wrangler.
It seems every bit of the next-generation Wrangler is up for review, as it will be the first time this iconic model is redesigned under Fiat ownership. Questions remain whether or not the Jeep will retain its clip-down hood, easy-to-remove door pins and folding front windshield - loyalists expect them, but fuel economy and safety standards may crimp their cases for survival.