Jeep sales slump "currency" related

Jeep continues to sell strongly globally, setting a sales record of 1.23 million vehicles in 2015, but the iconic US SUV brand has struggled in Australia of late, with sales sliding in the last 12 months.

"I think we've got huge headwinds in terms of the currency [exchange]," said Mike Manley, Jeep's global brand boss, in response to questions about slumping local Jeep sales in a bullish global market.

"No one likes to give up share, but when you've got the exchange headwinds that we've got, the most appropriate thing is to protect our dealers and protect our business," he said of the brand's "portfolio changes", which have seen prices rise for some vehicles.

He said Jeep was "absolutely" committed to the Australian market come rain, hail or shine, and while vehicles like the new (but delayed) Compass are likely to provide the Australian importer a significant boost in 2017, several other impending models are not guaranteed to be sold here.

Indeed, it's not clear whether crucial new models, like the upcoming Jeep ute and luxurious Grand Wagoneer will be sold here.

The Grand Wagoneer, a large luxury eight-seat SUV, was "still on track", said Manley.

"You'll see that in 2019," he observed but stated that he still doesn't know if it'll be manufactured in right-hand drive, a requisite for Australian market approval.

Jeep showed new Trailhawk and Summit versions of the Grand Cherokee at this week's New York show, but the Dodge Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is looking like a "mid-2017" debut, said the Jeep supremo.

Pictured here in fresh spy shots, the 527kW/800Nm monster is powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8 engine and is likely to snaffle the mantle of world's fastest SUV.

"It'll have plenty of power," said Manley, but he declined to confirm whether the Trackhawk name will be emblazoned across its muscled-up flanks.

"We'll have to wait and see, but it won't be called Hellcat."