Geneva – The Jeep® brand expands its growing product line-up and enhances its strong worldwide brand credentials with four new special series vehicles that are displayed in Europe for the first time at the 74th Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva.

The Jeep™ “Spring Premium Collection” includes two special series models added to the Jeep Grand Cherokee range, along with special series Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee models. These limited series production vehicles for spring 2004 represent the most distinguished, premium versions of the models on which they are based.

The Jeep Spring Premium Collection is joined in Geneva by an awesome Jeep concept vehicle that provides a possible glimpse into the future. The Jeep Rescue Concept could be seen as the ultimate execution of a Jeep off-road vehicle, which combines legendary Jeep off-road capability with state-of-the-art search and rescue technology.

These newest special series models from Jeep, which represent the brand’s latest chapter in its growth and development, add to an ever-growing line of vehicles that stand out in the marketplace and delight customers with features, capability and refinement. From the icon of the brand, Jeep Wrangler, to the flagship Grand Cherokee, Jeep has a strong product line-up and worldwide brand recognition that continue to strengthen the Jeep brand in today's competitive global sport-utility market.

“Jeep maintains its historical pole position as the 4x4 leader with the most capable vehicles in the segments we compete in,” said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director of International Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group. “The new special series models, as well as other additions across the range, keep the appeal of the Jeep brand and are particularly well-suited for the European marketplace.”

Jeep vehicles continue to make a significant contribution to Chrysler Group's overall sales in markets outside North America. During 2003, the Jeep Cherokee (both body styles) and Jeep Grand Cherokee were the second and third best-selling vehicles in the Chrysler Group’s international range, with sales of 39,771 and 34,468 units respectively. Jeep brand vehicles comprised 48 per cent of total Chrysler Group unit sales for the same period.

Jeep Brand Product Highlights

Jeep Rescue Concept Vehicle
Designed for the most extreme situations and unforgiving conditions, the Jeep Rescue concept is not only the ultimate type of search and rescue vehicle – it is an extreme execution of a Jeep off-road vehicle. This example of absolute Jeep strength and ‘go anywhere, do anything’ capability makes its European debut today in Geneva.

The Rescue not only hints at a future design direction for a large Jeep – it builds on the rugged Jeep heritage to forge an exciting new dimension for the Jeep brand.

See more on the Rescue here

Jeep Grand Cherokee
Grand Cherokee blends capability, luxury and style with an exceptional balance of power, performance, on-road ride, handling and security. Two new special series models – the Jeep Grand Cherokee ‘Vision’ Series and the ‘Black Pearl’ Series – now add to the customer appeal of this premium 4x4 range.

The Vision Series takes the Limited model, on which it is based, one step further with silver and brushed aluminium accents as well as equipment befitting a premium package. Representing the highest level of luxury, the Overland-based Black Pearl Series incorporates finishes of black, platinum, chrome and stainless steel, along with other premium features both inside and out.

Jeep Cherokee (US Liberty)
Cherokee is a no-compromise, 4x4 vehicle that provides the perfect balance of off-road capability, on-road refinement and distinctive styling. The Jeep Cherokee ‘Extreme Sport’ special series model enhances the Cherokee Sport even further with

its high-impact exterior design cues and enhanced interior appointments. For 2004, Cherokee will be on sale with a selection of three regular models – Sport, Limited Edition and Renegade – and these models plus the Extreme Sport Series remain ready to go anywhere and do anything.

Jeep Wrangler
Wrangler embodies the spirit of the Jeep brand with its one-of-a-kind rugged exterior design and legendary 4x4 capability. Now the new Jeep Wrangler ‘Extreme Sport’ special series takes the Wrangler Sport to an even higher level to help make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. The special series features a unique, tailored interior, along with a highly distinctive exterior look.

More than Sixty Years of Jeep Heritage
From July 23, 1941, to the present day, the Jeep brand has stood for authentic four-wheel drive capability, innovative technology and continuous refinement. Through Willys-Overland, the ‘Jeep’ initiated the 4x4 segment over six decades ago and kicked off the compact ‘sport-utility’ boom with its four-door, 4x4 Jeep Cherokee in 1983. Today’s Jeep vehicles are still directly descended from the first Jeep vehicles.

The Jeep brand name – trademarked internationally since 1950 – has become one of the best known of all consumer brands in the world and an international byword for off-road capability. Jeep vehicles are now available in nearly 100 countries, and over nine million units carrying the famous Jeep badge have been sold.

Over the last 60-plus years, the Jeep brand has built a reputation for delivering rugged, versatile vehicles with real four-wheel drive power. Jeep has always been the hero, not just in military terms, but also in less glamorous situations like plowing fields or aiding rescues in natural disasters.

The decades have been filled with pioneering, trend-setting vehicles, from the wartime Willys MB to today’s models. Having defined the sport-utility segment with industry firsts, the Jeep brand will continue to lead the SUV market into the future.

Highlights from Six Decades of Jeep

1941 Willys-Overland wins US Army contract to produce Willys MB

1944 First civilian Jeep – the 1945 CJ-2A – is produced

1945 The industry's first all-steel station wagon is created

1949 Four-wheel drive station wagon foreshadows the future of the 4x4

1950 Jeep is registered as an international trademark

1954 1955 Jeep CJ-5 is introduced

1962 1963 Jeep Wagoneer is unveiled, the first Jeep vehicle designed from the ground up for a civilian purpose

1972 Quadra-Trac®, the first completely automatic full-time four-wheel drive system is launched on the 1973 Jeep Wagoneer

1983 New 1984 Jeep Cherokee offers 4x4 power in a smaller package, kicking off the modern-day sport-utility boom

1992 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee is introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and is driven through the glass walls of the Cobo Exhibition Center; European production of the Grand Cherokee begins in Graz, Austria

1996 New 1997 Jeep Wrangler – icon of the Jeep brand – is unveiled

1998 1999 Grand Cherokee revolutionises the upscale SUV again

2001 New Jeep Cherokee is presented and begins production

Fully Leveraging the Jeep Brand

Arguably one of the most recognised brands worldwide, the Jeep brand has often been referred to as a ‘lifestyle’ rather than simply an array of highly capable vehicles. Jeep vehicle owners, their families and friends have an affinity to the brand that is reinforced by their high demand for events and products that fit the Jeep lifestyle.

By building on its owners’ enthusiasm, the Jeep brand continues at the forefront of relationship marketing by offering unequaled opportunities to explore the abilities of the vehicles through various driving events in their markets. A prime example of this is Euro Camp Jeep, a three-day annual gathering exclusively for Jeep owners/enthusiasts and their families from across Europe.

Europe is also home to many country Jeep Clubs organised and run by owner-enthusiasts. Additionally, the Jeep brand endeavours to meet consumer demand for quality outdoor, adventure and lifestyle products through Jeep licensed merchandise.