[3Rivers]

As a recent purchaser, I've noticed some strange differences among the Cherokee inventories maintained by dealers in my area. One large Jeep dealer about 15 miles away from me has 103 Cherokees in stock, but only one Trailhawk. Just one. It does have 53 Limiteds and 30 High Altitudes! Clearly, this dealer caters to a Jeep-buying clientele with rather upscale tastes, yet there's only one Overland in stock. In truth, the Overland trim seems pretty rare everywhere.

Then there's the question of Turbo, or Not Turbo? Another area dealer has 64 Cherokees but not a single 2.0T engine, even though 80% of the stock is Limiteds/High Altitudes/Trailhawks. Not a turbo to be found. But a competing dealer with 81 Cherokees has 37 turbos -- almost half the inventory!

Because this is a hilly region with snowy, icy winters, 4X4s dominate, but perhaps even more than you might expect. The three dealers mentioned above, with a total of 248 Cherokees, have a combined 11 FWD models. (And one of those dealers has none at all.) Very different from the SoCal dealers, I'd say.

 

[Bruce Lindsay]

They only carry the fwd versions so they can list a super low price on ads. I haven’t done the research you have on numbers but last time I went in for an oil change they had 2 trailhawks.

 

[XJ99]

When I bought both KL's last year (2 months apart) I didn't even know
about the 2.0T. They had none in stock. So when I bought the TH I
just wanted the power of the V6. Also I wanted the tow group, but
was told by the salesman, "Only the Elite's" have the tow package...
I looked at all the TH's, and he was right. Later I added it to the TH,
and it actually reflects on the build page. I mean they could roll $700
into the loan, and have every Jeep capable of 4,500lbs come with the
tow package? It would add a whopping $11 on a 5 year loan! Makes no sense..

 

[Jeepster1]

Dealers it seems carry what they can sell. FWD may have been a Corporate push because of the MPG issue FCA has to meet. Its a sales mix needed to achieve a mpg goal or Gross margin results.

With my 2014 it was the Tech package, but mostly the Tow group that was not on the dealers lots. That is what forced me to factory order the Cherokee back then.
Fast forward to today I see the same issue on the lots with the Cherokee and other Jeeps with my local dealer. Tow groups are simply not on the Cherokees as the FCW systems. I would guess It come down its easier to sell a 28,000 vehicle than a 40,000+ one.

Not sure about the models the tow group are available on but I am sure it can be ordered as an option on most of them.
I think the sales person is off a bit on that statement. For his dealership they may only have it on those models as they ordered them.
Actually I believe at least one of the models is tow ready to the point that you just have to add the hitch and maybe the wiring.
Adding tow to all Cherokees above say the Latitude would make sense, Economies of scale would cut the costs if they all got it.

 

[3Rivers]

Also I wanted the tow group, but was told by the salesman, "Only the Elite's" have the tow package... I looked at all the TH's, and he was right.

I had almost forgotten about this thread. When he said "only the Elites," I assume he was referring to his own inventory, right, and not to the Trailhawk model in general? If so, I agree, that's a very odd ordering scheme by the dealer. I've never heard of completely avoiding this option on any particular trim. We ended up with the Tow Group on our 2018 Latitude Plus even though I wasn't really looking for it. With the other options we wanted (4x4, V6, Cold Weather, Comfort & Convenience), it would have been harder to find one without the Tow Group. You'd think it would be especially popular on Trailhawks, Elite or not.

 

[XJ99]

I had almost forgotten about this thread. When he said "only the Elites," I assume he was referring to his own inventory, right, and not to the Trailhawk model in general? If so, I agree, that's a very odd ordering scheme by the dealer. I've never heard of completely avoiding this option on any particular trim. We ended up with the Tow Group on our 2018 Latitude Plus even though I wasn't really looking for it. With the other options we wanted (4x4, V6, Cold Weather, Comfort & Convenience), it would have been harder to find one without the Tow Group. You'd think it would be especially popular on Trailhawks, Elite or not.

Correct, it was all they had in inventory. :wink:

 

[goobnav]

I had almost forgotten about this thread. When he said "only the Elites," I assume he was referring to his own inventory, right, and not to the Trailhawk model in general? If so, I agree, that's a very odd ordering scheme by the dealer. I've never heard of completely avoiding this option on any particular trim. We ended up with the Tow Group on our 2018 Latitude Plus even though I wasn't really looking for it. With the other options we wanted (4x4, V6, Cold Weather, Comfort & Convenience), it would have been harder to find one without the Tow Group. You'd think it would be especially popular on Trailhawks, Elite or not.

Had a similar problem, my mother just purchased a '19 Lat Plus, having the dealer here in NC trying to find one with a V6, AD1, Cold Weather and Comfort and Convenience that wasn't Black or White or an Altitude was like pulling hen's teeth. Took them 4 days to find a Blue Shade Pearl one and it was in Virginia.


Yes, I know it's the South here in NC but, our weather is so messed up to where it could be sunny and clear in the morning and then have 2 to 3 inches of snow by the afternoon and we don't have the equipment to clear it.

 

[nbb350]

Black, White, Silver/Gray...most common vehicles "colors" in the USA. ugh.

 

[3Rivers]

Black, White, Silver/Gray...most common vehicles "colors" in the USA. ugh.

One night after work a week or two ago, I found only three vehicles left on an entire side of my parking garage: a black Compass Trailhawk, a black Grand Cherokee Altitude, and a black Cherokee Limited (me).