jeepin.jason

USAToday posted an article online sunday regarding the new “Jeeplets”, the Compass and Patriot, that Jeep will be releasing this year. The article is a relatively quick and interesting read. While Jeep execs stick to their guns, claiming the new models will “grow the brand,” a senior analyst for Global Automotive Group slams the Compass in particular, calling it a “sad little car” that will “start chipping away at the image” of Jeep.

While I’ve said some good things about the Compass in the past, I do have to agree with the guy from Global Automotive Group. Overall I think this is the wrong direction for Jeep. While Hummer, Nissan, and Toyota are moving their 4×4 vehicles more towards the “off-road” crowd, Jeep seems to be chasing soccer moms and mall crawlers… seemingly unaware of the competition that’s hot on their heels.