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Jeep Commander Dead After '09?

2007jeepcommander

J.D. Power analysts and sources at the United Auto Workers union both say that the much maligned Jeep Commander large SUV will stop production after the 2009 model year. Introduced as a 2006 model, the Commander was to fill a perceived gap in the Jeep line-up of a large-SUV with its three rows of seating, unlike the two-rowed Grand Cherokee.

In 2006, Jeep sold just 88,497 Commanders, and many of those were heavily discounted. Cars.com currently lists $2,500 customer cash back and 1.9% financing for the 2007 Jeep Commander, but last summer’s employee pricing saw much larger discounts on 2006s.

We’re not surprised that the Commander followed the trend of most other large SUVs in 2006 when gas prices were high; the Commander’s love-it-or-hate-it styling, and the competition from within the Jeep family, probably didn’t help either. Even if the Commander is phased out after the 2009 model year, that doesn’t mean Jeep won’t design a replacement that could look radically different while using the Commander’s existing platform. Until then, expect rebates to remain.    

[Big Jeep SUV's Ride May End, The Detroit News]



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IIHS Announces 2007 Top Safety Picks; No American Models

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its list of Top Safety Picks for 2007 this morning. Among the winners are two Audis, three Subarus, two Hondas, and one model each from Acura, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo. Absent are any models by American automakers or Japanese behemoth Toyota. The standards for the award this year are a bit tougher than in the past, but something to strive for. Not only must vehicles score top safety ratings in front, side and rear crash tests, they also must be equipped with electronic stability control. 

There was also a runners-up list, which included cars that met all the requirements except the top rear crash-­test score; and plenty of Toyotas made that list — yet still no American models. Both lists can be found below.

Winners

Large car

  • Audi A6 - manufactured in Dec. 2006 and later

Midsize cars

  • Audi A4
  • Saab 9-3
  • Subaru Legacy - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

  • Hyundai Entourage
  • Kia Sedona

Luxury SUVs

  • Mercedes M class
  • Volvo XC90

Midsize SUVs

  • Acura RDX
  • Honda Pilot
  • Subaru B9 Tribeca

Small SUVs

  • Honda CR-V
  • Subaru Forester - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Also-Rans

These vehicles would have won if their seat/head restraints also
had earned good ratings.

Acceptable rear protection

  • Audi A3
  • BMW 3-series 4dr
  • Lexus IS 250/350

Marginal rear protection

  • Acura TL
  • Honda Odyssey
  • Lexus ES 350
  • Lexus GS 350
  • Toyota Camry
  • Toyota FJ Cruiser
  • Toyota Prius
  • Toyota RAV4

Poor rear protection

  • Honda Accord 4dr
  • Infiniti M35
  • Nissan Quest
  • Toyota Avalon


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Moving On Up: 2007 Nissan Sentra Prices Announced

2007sentra

Today, Nissan released pricing for the full lineup of its all-new 2007 Sentra compact sedan. The base Sentra 2.0 with a six-speed manual will start at $14,750, and the 2.0 with a continuously variable automatic transmission will cost $15,550. This is a marked increase — $1,500 — over the 2006 Sentra 1.8, but the new vehicle features many more standard features, and the company points out that the mid-level 2.0 S is only $50 more than the outgoing 1.8 S. Nissan also introduced the less-expensive Versa subcompact earlier this year to accommodate the lower end of the price range. 

If you missed Joe Wiesenfelder’s early look at the Sentra, interested shoppers will find it essential reading. The new Sentra is on sale now.

For the rest of the pricing breakdown, keep reading.

  • Sentra 2.0    Manual  $14,750
  • Sentra 2.0    CVT      $15,550
  • Sentra 2.0S  Manual  $15,650
  • Sentra 2.0S  CVT      $16,450
  • Sentra 2.0SL CVT      $18,400

Destination of $605 not included.



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