Call it opportune timing or whatever you like, but Chrysler has dropped the price of the Dodge Journey and the Jeep Cherokee just in time for the new year. The importer has knocked thousands of dollars off the prices of the people mover and the SUV just before the reduction of the import tariff to five per cent on imported passenger vehicles.
Manager for Public Relations at Chrysler Australia, Jerry Stamoulis, explained to the Carsales Network that it was merely coincidence that the prices had been pulled back on these two models at this time.
"Not related," said Stamoulis, when asked whether the timing of the announcement was in any way related to the tariff reduction. "This is purely on negotiations with the factory -- that's how these prices came about; obviously to make them more competitive in a busy segment."
Stamoulis explained that it takes a while for the factory and the local distributor to reach an agreement on pricing -- particularly with the factories out of action during the Chapter 11 proceedings earlier this year; something which left the importer with very limited stocks during this year.
"With our pricing, it takes some time to negotiate with head office... Regardless of what's happening with tariffs and so on, everything's taken into account by our head office."
Were there any other factors involved in the new pricing? The Aussie dollar, for instance?
"It is strong," Stamoulis agreed, "but again, it's not a factor that affects this decision. What we do with dollars, it's something that we plan for 12 to 18 months in advance.
"The dollar hasn't come into this effect here. It's purely a decision to make the cars more competitive in quite competitive segments. Cherokee had a good month last month, as did Journey. We're expecting more stock to come in; we really see an appetite for these cars. By making the price a little bit more competitive, hopefully it will grow our market share in those segments.
"We don't normally discount our cars so heavily, but the market -- especially the market [segments for] the Cherokee and the Journey -- it's certainly growing. And we want to be part of that."
The new pricing is as follows:
Jeep Cherokee Sport 3.7L V6 Petrol automatic $37,990 (previously $40,490)
Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.7L V6 Petrol automatic $40,990 (previously $46,490)
Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.8L CRD Turbo Diesel automatic $44,990 (previously $50,490)
Dodge Journey SXT 2.7L Petrol automatic $36,990 (previously $37,990)
Dodge Journey R/T 2.7L Petrol automatic $41,990 (previously $45,490)
Dodge Journey R/T 2.0L CRD Turbo Diesel automatic $45,990 (previously $49,490)
The prices quoted are manufacturer's list prices, not inclusive of all on-road costs.
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