WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee Sales, Production Dates & Milestones

Grand Cherokee manufacturing dates & milestones

1989

Spring 1989 Chrysler head Bob Lutz first reveals the Grand Cherokee idea on the 1989 Detroit auto present.

1991

October 1991 The first Grand Cherokee (code-named “ZJ”) is assembled on the Jefferson North Assembly plant (JNAP). A complete of 106 pre-production 1993 fashions are constructed forward of the January 14, 1992 manufacturing launch.

1992

January, 1992 The Jeep Grand Cherokee is launched on the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and is pushed THROUGH the glass partitions of the Cobo Exhibition Center by Chrysler President, Bob Lutz. The Grand Cherokee is the primary 4×4 to be fitted with a typical driver’s aspect airbag. January 14, 1992 Production begins for the brand new 1993 Grand Cherokee. 326 models are constructed throughout January and a pair of,335 extra in February. Production step by step will increase all year long, peaking at 19,000 in October. Sales are profitable for the brand new Grand Cherokee. Total mannequin yr retail gross sales tops 216,000 models. April 19, 1992 The new 1993 Grand Cherokee is publicly introduced.

1993

September 1993 1994 fashions launched. Grand Wagoneer dropped, new Orvis package deal, Limited will get 4-wheel disc brakes, aspect door beams added.

1994

September 1994 1995 fashions launched. 4-wheel disc brakes turn out to be commonplace on all fashions, rear tailgate provides non-obligatory flip up glass hatch, 5.2L V8 will get modest torque improve, 5-speed guide transmission dropped. October 1994 Jeep and Steyr Daimler Puch kind a three way partnership in 1993 and start manufacturing of RHD (and LHD) Grand Cherokees in Graz, Austria in October 1994.

1995

September 1995 1996 fashions launched. New exterior look – grille, fascias, cladding and nameplates and an all-new inside. Driver and passenger air baggage are commonplace, part-time solely Command-Trac dropped, refinements to engine make it smoother & quieter.

1996

April 26, 1996 The one-millionth Grand Cherokee ZJ rolls off the meeting line. June 1996 WJ conversion begins at JNAP, 365,000 sq. foot addition to physique store, third paint line added. September 1996 1997 fashions go on sale. New, improved ABS system, new steering column design, upgraded sound methods, new TSi mannequin.

1997

March 26, 1997 At the New York Auto Show Chrysler previously proclaims the highly effective new 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited, slated for fall availability. “Combines the efficiency of a 245 horsepower 5.9-liter V-8 engine with extra luxurious and genuine Jeep functionality”. Sold in abroad markets because the Grand Cherokee LX. 1997 was the final mannequin yr for the first technology ZJ sequence. August 1997 First WJ F1 pilot autos constructed at CTC (Chrysler Technology Center). Error/mistake-proofing simulations began at JNAP. September 1997 1998 fashions go on sale. Limited will get a brand new 5.9L non-obligatory engine. Orvis designer package deal dropped. October 7, 1997 Special Edition 1998 mannequin Grand Cherokee Laredo introduced.

1998

May 22, 1998 The final of 1,662,552 ZJ Grand Cherokees is constructed. The plant shuts right down to retool for the all-new 1999 Grand Cherokee “WJ”.Note: One of the last export models (“ZG” sequence) has been confirmed to have been constructed on July twenty fourth, 1998. Another mannequin, VIN # WY128672 exhibits a construct date of August 1998. June, 1998 Production begins for the all-new 4.7-liter V-8 engine slated for the 1999 Grand Cherokee. In preparation, the one-million square-foot Mack Avenue Engine facility underwent a three-year, $930 million metamorphosis that left the ceiling and the structural metal as the one authentic components. June 15, 1998 Verification of meeting line tools begins, with two weeks scheduled for methods trials and debugging. June 16, 1998 On this present day at 1:00pm, the brand new Grand Cherokee WJ was formally launched on the Cobo Center in Detroit – this was the world broad introduction of the 2nd technology “All-new 1999 Grand Cherokee”, promoted by Chrysler to be “The Most Capable Sport Utility Ever”. June 29, 1998 1999 WJ manufacturing run, 49 autos are constructed 6/29 and 6/30. 126 extra WJ pilots are constructed forward of the July 17 manufacturing launch. July 9, 1998 Chrysler launches manufacturing of its new 45RFE rear-wheel-drive transmission. Along with the 4.7 liter V-8, it’s going to energy the 1999 Grand Cherokee and, later, Ram vans. July 17, 1998 WJ Job #1 – The Jefferson North Assembly Plant begins up with single-shift manufacturing of the brand new 1999 Grand Cherokee. “The start of the WJ”. A complete of 1,456 WJ’s are constructed throughout July, one other 10,000 in August and greater than 20,000 every month the remainder of the yr. August 3, 1998 JNAP Second shift launch August 17, 1998 JNAP Third shift launch August 24, 1998 Shipments to sellers of the brand new Grand Cherokee started this week September 4, 1998 The all-new 1999 Grand Cherokee formally goes on sale within the USA. November 17, 1998 Chrysler Corporation merges with Daimler-Benz to create DaimlerChrysler, the biggest automotive union within the historical past of vehicle manufacturing. December 9, 1998 The all-new Grand Cherokee is unveiled in Europe for first time (Bologna Motor Show, Italy) December 29, 1998 DaimlerChrysler unveils the Jeep Commander idea car in the course of the sport utility’s world debut for media on the LA Auto Show.

1999

Jan/Feb 1999 Production of the all-new Grand Cherokee begins for worldwide markets at meeting crops in Austria & South America. The first RHD (right-hand drive) WJ’s are constructed. March 1999 The all-new Grand Cherokee goes on sale in worldwide markets. June 1999 1999 WJ manufacturing ends July 1999 2000 WJ manufacturing begins October 28, 1999 JNAP holds a celebration as Jeep Grand Cherokee No. 2,000,000 and No. 2,000,001 roll off the meeting traces.

2000

January 2, 2000 Jefferson North Assembly Plant Y2K validation. During a 4-hour particular Sunday trial run, 181 Grand Cherokees are constructed with no glitches encountered. Jefferson North Plant supervisor Fred Martino-DiCicco and UAW Local President Gerald Wooten drove one of many first quantity manufacturing autos off the meeting line to a gathering of staff and media. June 2000 2000 WJ manufacturing ends July 2000 2001 WJ manufacturing begins October 23, 2000 Commander 2 idea Jeep unveiled

2001

February 5, 2001 Special sixtieth Anniversary Edition fashions of the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler and Cherokee are launched for a restricted time interval. Grand Cherokee gross sales for this version totaled 3,822. March 27, 2001 2002 Grand Cherokee Special Edition launched on the New York Auto Show. June 18, 2001 HO engine manufacturing begins July 6, 2001 2001 WJ manufacturing ends July 16, 2001 2002 WJ manufacturing begins September 2001 2002 mannequin yr gross sales launch. New upscale Overland mannequin is added to the line-up. Several new main choices are launched, together with aspect airbags, 4.7L High Output engine, adjustable pedals, Electroluminescent gauges, Rain-Sense wipers and a Tire Pressure Monitor System. September 28, 2001 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport introduced by Jeep October 02, 2001 Chrysler group Jeep exhibit opens at Walter P. Chrysler Museum November 15, 2001 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport begins to reach in showrooms

2002

June 3, 2002 2003 Grand Cherokee order banks open June 11, 2002 A brand new Jeep idea car was unveiled on the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Stuttgart, Germany. The Grand Cherokee Concierge was designed for testing security options akin to Active Night Vision, a brand new superior SmarTire monitor system and different applied sciences. July 3, 2002 2002 WJ manufacturing ends July 9, 2002 Starting this present day, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge autos are coated by a seven-year or 70,000-mile powertrain guarantee on all new Chrysler Group autos. This industry-leading guarantee is totally transferable to subsequent proprietor and represents Chrysler Group’s long run multi-brand marketing campaign to underscore high quality good points. July 22, 2002 2003 WJ manufacturing begins August 2002 The one-millionth WJ is bought October 15, 2002 Ordering closes for the 2003 mannequin yr. October 30, 2002 2004 Grand Cherokee order banks open December 23, 2002 2003 WJ manufacturing ends, shortest WJ mannequin yr.

2003

January 2, 2003 Production begins for mannequin yr 2004 Grand Cherokees. First WJ refreshening. January 5, 2003 2004 WJ fashions launched on the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. New 2004 “Freedom” Edition launched. February 2003 2004 Laredo and Limited fashions start to reach in showrooms. Production of 2004 Overland mannequin begins.Production of WK pilots start, “Job #0”. March 10, 2003 Production of the brand new limited-run “Freedom Edition” mannequin begins. September 18, 2003 “Trail Ready” promoting marketing campaign introduced. Badges to seem on new Jeep autos instantly. Advertising begin date set for mid-October. October 6, 2003 Production start-up for the brand new “Columbia Edition” Grand Cherokee. November 17, 2003 2005 WK unveiled for the primary time (to sellers and chosen Press members), Cobo Hall, Detroit. December 22, 2003 Production ends for the “Columbia Edition”.

2004

February 2004 Production startup for five.7L Hemi engines with new Cylinder Deactivation function. March 2004 Ordering closes for the Grand Cherokee 2004 mannequin yr. April 7, 2004 2005 Grand Cherokee world premiere for the press, New York Auto Show. April 9, 2004 2005 Grand Cherokee world premiere for the general public, New York Auto Show. May, 2004 Grand Cherokee “Rocky Mountain Edition” launched, the final WJ mannequin to be manufactured. May 21, 2004 The final WJ sequence Grand Cherokee rolls off the meeting traces. The plant closes for about 2 months to retool for the all-new 2005 mannequin. July 26, 2004 All new 2005 “WK” Grand Cherokee manufacturing start-up (Job #1). August, 2004 2004 Grand Cherokee “WG” export mannequin – finish of manufacturing for 4.0 fashions September 2004 All new 2005 “WK” Grand Cherokee scheduled to start out arriving in vendor showrooms (late September) October, 2004 2004 Grand Cherokee “WG” export mannequin – finish of manufacturing for 4.7 fashions October 21, 2004 All new 2005 “WK” featured for “Premiere Nights”, a nationwide vendor occasion to formally introduce and showcase the brand new Grand Cherokee to the general public. November, 2004 2004 Grand Cherokee “WG” export mannequin – finish of manufacturing for 4.7 HO fashions December, 2004 2004 Grand Cherokee “WG” export mannequin – finish of manufacturing for two.7 Turbo Diesel fashions

2005

February, 2005 First 2006 WK Grand Cherokee quantity manufacturing pilot fashions are constructed at Jefferson North, together with the Laredo, Limited Overland and SRT-8 fashions. February, 2005 First 2006 XK Commander quantity manufacturing pilot fashions are constructed at Jefferson North. March 2005 2005 Grand Cherokee “WH” export mannequin premiere on the Geneva International Motor Show March 7, 2005 2005 Grand Cherokee “WH” export mannequin quantity manufacturing startup for 4.7L and 5.7L fashions (Job #1) March 18, 2005 2006 Grand Cherokee SRT-8 world premiere, Live with Regis and Kelly present, New York. March 23, 2005 2006 Jeep Commander world premiere, New York International Auto Show March 23, 2005 2006 Grand Cherokee SRT-8 introduction, New York International Auto Show May 2, 2005 2005 Grand Cherokee “WH” export mannequin quantity manufacturing startup for 3.0 V6 CRD fashions (Job #1) July 5, 2005 2006 WK Grand Cherokee manufacturing startup July 8, 2005 2005 WK Grand Cherokee closing day of manufacturing (Buildout) July 18, 2005 2006 “XK” Commander manufacturing launch September 2005 Sales introduction for the 2006 WK and XK fashions September 12, 2005 World premiere of the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot idea fashions on the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) November 5, 2005 Production launch for the 2006 Grand Cherokee SRT-8 fashions December 23, 2005 2005 Grand Cherokee “WH” export mannequin manufacturing finish (Buildout) December, 2005 First Grand Cherokee SRT-8 fashions start arriving to sellers

2006

January 9, 2006 Start of manufacturing for 2006 WH Grand Cherokee export fashions January 16, 2006 Start of manufacturing for 2006 XH Commander export fashions April, 2006 On-sale date for the eu export fashions of the Jeep Commander April 12, 2006 World premiere of manufacturing variations of the Jeep Compass and Patriot on the NY Auto Show May 30, 2006 Start of manufacturing for the 2007 Jeep Compass June 30, 2006 End of manufacturing for 2006 WK and XK fashions July, 2006 On-sale date for the eu export fashions of the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 July 17, 2006 Start of manufacturing for 2007 WK and XK fashions October, 2006 Start of manufacturing for the 2007 Jeep Patriot October 13, 2006 End of manufacturing for 2006 WH Grand Cherokee and WK Commander export fashions

2007

July 13, 2007 End of manufacturing for 2007 WK Grand Cherokee and XK Commander fashions July, 2007 Start of manufacturing for 2008 WK Grand Cherokee and XK Commander fashions