Chrysler has confirmed that production of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been delayed one month.

The delay, however, won’t cause a supply issue as the American automaker is confident that sufficient inventory will be available at dealerships this fall. Chrysler wouldn’t elaborate on what issues are causing the delay, but stated that they are common when launching an all-new vehicle.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Jeep Cherokee Officially Unveiled as Liberty Replacement

A couple of issues making the Jeep Cherokee’s production more complicated including the fact that its underpinned by an underbody adopted from Fiat. The Cherokee will also be the automaker’s first vehicle to be powered by a ZF nine-speed transmission.

“These are pretty much common issues with everything we launch,” said Mark Chernoby, Chrysler’s senior vice president of engineering. “Especially if there is a major change with the powertrain.”

GALLERY: 2014 Jeep Cherokee

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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Jeep’s millionth Wrangler JK rolled off the line at the company’s Toledo, Ohio plant.

The JK first went on sale as a 2007 model year and as of today can count one million units built. Jeep’s storied soft-roader posted strong sales last year, with 141,669 sales reported or an increase over 15 percent from 2011.

“Every Jeep Wrangler sold to customers around the world is born in Toledo, Ohio,” said Chrysler vehicle assembly operations vice president Mauro Pino. “Since this facility opened eight years ago, the Toledo workforce has built every one of those million vehicles with pride, passion and a focus on quality. We all look forward to building the next million.”

The milestone-marking Wrangler was a Rubicaon 10th Anniversary Edition and will be delivered to its owner in Sarasota, Fla.

A total of 469,000 Jeep SUVs are being recalled for a faulty circuit board that can send a wrong signal causing those vehicles to shift into neutral on startup and even roll away.

The recall affects 2005-2010 Grand Cherokees and 2006-2010 Commanders. 295,000 vehicles being recalled are in America, 28,500 are in Canada, and 4,200 are in Mexico. The remaining 141,000 affected are outside North America.

U.S. safety regulators have concluded that cracks in a circuit board that turns the four-wheel-drive system on and off can result in a faulty signal when the SUVs are being started, causing them to roll away when it’s shifted to neutral. According to the American automaker, there have been 26 crashes related to the recall and two injuries. Affected owners will be contacted so that dealers can update the software free of charge.

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Two separate probes into Ford and Chrysler vehicles have been closed by U.S. auto safety regulators now that both automakers have conducted safety recalls.

Both investigations were closed earlier this month after Ford recalled 230,000 minivans and Chrysler recalled about 30,000 Jeep SUVs. In March, 2004-2007 model year Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models were recalled to repair a problem that could prevent the third-row seat from folding down and locking in place. 230,000 minivans in total were recalled, 33,500 of them being outside the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Ford Recalling 230,000 Minivans

In a separate filing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed the probe on 115,000 Jeep Patriot SUVs after complaints of the engine stalling at high speeds were reported. In April, the American automaker recalled 2012 model year Patriot and Compass SUVs for the issue.

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We are back with this week’s installment of AutoGuide’s newest, interactive weekly feature “Commute, Toy or Destroy.”

Once again, we present to you a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily driver, which one would become your Saturday afternoon show ‘n shine winner and which one you would send to the scrap yard.

Remember, the commuter car you must live with every day. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use on weekends and the final car would be the one you’d drive over an IED with.

This week we are switching it up a bit and leaving sports cars behind for rugged, off-road trucks. We present three modern day vehicles all design to travel off the beaten path. So, now it is up to you to decide which one you would commute in, which one would be your off-road toy, and which one you will destroy.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

One look at this monster confirms this ain’t no ordinary Ford F-150. Designed to be abused, the SVT Raptor upgrades all the important mechanical bits to ensure you don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere when out trail riding. A 411 hp 6.2 L V8 gives this aggressive truck the proper amount of power to back up its mean looks.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The American icon of off-roading, the Wrangler still sports solid axles front and back, three lockable differentials, and a two-speed transfer case.  If that isn’t enough, step up to the Rubicon model which also enables the front sway-bar to be disconnected electronically. Of course Wranglers are still convertibles and last year a 285 hp 3.6 L V6 helped give this Jeep some much needed oomph.

Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams

The FJ Cruiser harkens back to Toyota’s original Land Cruiser; a wholly capable off-road machine. Using a proper body-on-frame SUV chassis, the FJ Cruiser is powered by a 260 hp 4.0 L V6 engine. Select the Trail Teams Edition and a plethora of TRD parts are added to the FJ to make it even more capable off-road.

Chrysler reported its first quarter profits today: $166 million, which represents a 65 percent drop over the same time last year.

Despite that, brand boss Sergio Marchionne reaffirmed that Chrysler will earn $2.2 billion on a full year revenue of $72 billion.

The brand said its profits were hurt by costs associated with launching the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 pickup truck.

“We remain on track to achieve our business targets, even as the first-quarter results were affected by an aggressive product launch schedule,” CEO Sergio Marchionne said in the statement. “This quarter underscores the importance of an unwavering commitment to execute flawless vehicle introductions to reach our full potential.”

While Marchionne’s statement that Chrysler is still on track suggests the brand is a good sign, the poor profit performance signal that Chrysler is still in the throes of recovering from its government bailout and bankruptcy in 2009.

As always, the Jeep Moab Easter Safari concepts hint at what the American automaker has in mind for the future, with the next-generation Wrangler being previewed in the concepts this year.

It’s no surprise that Jeep is focusing on improving fuel efficiency across all its models, as the brand weighs down Chrysler’s overall corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating. That means as each Jeep model gets redesigned, we can expect plenty of weight to be shed along with more fuel efficient engines.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Jeep Moab Easter Safari Concepts Unveiled

To give an idea as to what Jeep is been thinking about, the Wrangler Stitch concept is 1,100 pounds less than the current Wrangler. Granted the next-generation Wrangler won’t be losing that much weight, but it’s clear that Jeep is working hard in finding ways to get the SUV lighter. Considerations to help spring that weight include the use of aluminum for the doors and hood.

As for the design, it’s hinted at in the Wrangler Slim concept. Aerodynamic improvements will be another focus, and the Slim’s front bumper is expected to find its way on the new Wrangler.

Talking about powerplants,there’s a strong possibility that the Wrangler could see an oil-burner under the hood, but it will depend on how well the Grand Cherokee diesel does in the market.

Confirming that the new Wrangler will come in both two- and four-door varieties when it’s launched, Jeep has revealed is even thinking over a third body style. There’s no word on what that might be, but a pickup isn’t out of the question.

GALLERY: 2013 Jeep Easter Moab Concepts

Jeep Flattop Concept First Look Video

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Jeep Stitch Concept First Look Video

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[Source: Car and Driver]

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The Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper Concept was first shown off at the SEMA show, and at this year’s Eater Jeep Safari, it was brought back with some improvements.

Power comes from a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to give it 375 hp and 400 ft-lb of torque. The Sand Trooper Concept gets unique style thanks to half doors, along with modified bumpers.  Other add-ons include LED off-road lights and headlamps, swing away rear tire carrier, trailer-tow hitch receiver, rock rails, a winch, and vented hood.

SEE ALSO: Easter Jeep Safari Concept Info

Check out our first look video below for more information on the Wrangler Sand Trooper.

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The Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon Concept uses the big power approach, and it was unveiled last week at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. 

Under the hood is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 from Mopar that makes 470 hp. In addition to that big engine, the Mopar Recon Concept uses Dana 60 front and rear axles with 4.10 gearing, a 4.5-inch prototype long-arm lift kit, and eight-lug beadlock wheels with 39-inch off-road tires.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Easter Jeep Safari Concept Info

Check out our first look video below.

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Winter’s icy stranglehold on the northern hemisphere has finally been broken. After months of gray skies and freezing weather spring is finally in the air. Automakers are responding to the warmth and sun by emerging from product hibernation. Companies located in places ranging from South Korea to the United Kingdom have unveiled a bumper-crop of new hardware ranging from sensible to insane. Here are the Top 10 reveals from the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

2013 New York Auto Show Complete Coverage

With some polarizing style, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee debuted on Wednesday at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

The Cherokee is offered with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 with 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder option is expected to get up to 31 mpg on the highway while the V6 is expected to be 30 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing Liberty’s V6. Both engines are hooked up to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Check out our first look video below.

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GALLERY: 2014 Jeep Cherokee live photos

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Discussing the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is starting to seem more repetitive than an hour of the hokey pokey, but the funny front fascia wearing newby was finally unveiled today on the floor of the 2013 New York Auto Show.

When the car goes on sale late this summer it will be offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 with 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder option is expected to get up to 31 mpg on the highway while the V6 is expected to be 30 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing Liberty’s V6.

SEE ALSO: Jeep Cherokee Sales Crucial for Setting Record: Exec

Jeep’s sales are currently passing through a lull — something largely attributed to the Liberty leaving production. Now the brand is hoping the Cherokee will serve as a lynchpin, hoping to topple its 701,626 global unit sales from 2012.

The Cherokee might offer what Jeep needs to do that for at least two reasons. First, it’s shares a platform with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Dodge Dart. That will serve to reduce costs, but it could also help boost global appeal as a capable utility vehicle with a car’s on-road characteristics. Second Jeep is already boasting about its new independent front and rear suspension, increased torsional stiffness, and an exceptionally quiet cabin — all aspects that wil likely bolster broad market appeal.

2013 New York Auto Show Complete Coverage

Even with all that, the Cherokee is also meant to be an off-road ready crossover and the 3.2-liter V6 will offer buyers the power it will need to maintain that ideal.

But what about its drastic design? Is this really a viable replacement for the boxy-like-a-bread-truck Liberty? That has yet to be seen, but if there’s one thing Chrysler is doing very well, it’s staying in the spotlight.

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GALLERY: 2014 Jeep Cherokee live photos

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