Press Kit: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 2009 NYIAS

New York April 7, 2009 - Since its introduction in 1992, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee has revolutionized the sport-utility vehicle market and won numerous accolades worldwide. Leading the path carved by its three predecessors, the all-new Grand Cherokee will continue to set a global standard with its on-road refinement, off-road mastery and overall performance.

The first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee began sales nearly 18 years ago, creating a new benchmark for premium SUVs worldwide. Two years after the start of production, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was produced for Europe and other markets outside North America at the Magna Steyr manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria. Innovations such as three available four-wheel-drive systems and the world’s first standard driver-side air bag made this vehicle unique, and it offered a new level of comfort and handling. A 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine as of 1995 and right-hand drive as of 1996 helped build the vehicle’s success.

The second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee raised the bar again in 1999, with features such as the class-leading Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system and a 3.1-liter turbo diesel engine (later replaced by a 2.7-liter turbo diesel). It was followed by the third-generation Grand Cherokee in 2005 with new full-time four-wheel-drive systems, a 3.0-liter turbocharged CRD engine and, for the first time on a Jeep vehicle, the 5.7-liter HEMI® engine with its fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System. The ultimate performance Grand Cherokee – the SRT8 model with a 6.1-liter HEMI engine – was introduced in 2006.

Through the years, diesel powertrains and right-hand drive helped make the Jeep Grand Cherokee one of Chrysler LLC’s best-selling vehicles outside North America. For example, in 2008, diesel models comprised almost 50 percent of Grand Cherokee sales. The all-new Grand Cherokee will continue its global appeal by offering a choice of diesel and petrol powertrains and left-hand and right-hand drive.

Sold in 86 countries, Jeep Grand Cherokee is still the flagship of the Jeep brand. Since its introduction, more than 4.2 million Grand Cherokee vehicles have been sold worldwide.