CountryUnited Arab Emirate
The Jeep Commander, which initiated the brand's aggressive expansion that has taken place over the last 12 months, has beaten competition from the Lexus RX350 and Land Rover LR3 to win Middle East Car magazine's "Best Mid-Size SUV of the Year 2007" award, the judges choosing the Commander for its combination of comfort, power and value for money.
"We're delighted that the Commander has received such recognition," said Trent Barcroft, Vice President, DaimlerChrysler Middle East. "The only SUV in its class to offer a choice of two V8 petrol engines, including the 5.7 litre HEMI® with cylinder deactivation through the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), the Commander has proven to be a compelling package for many customers in the Middle East."
Middle East Car describe the Commander's Quadradrive II transmission as "having no peers, and the centre console 4-lo lever will get you past any obstacle," and overall as "Jeep's most imposing model, the Commander is unsurpassed over the dunes. It's as rugged as it looks although it still provides excellent comfort inside the well-stocked cabin."
Philip Moore, Publishing Director of Middle East Car magazine, was one of the judges in the Car of the Year awards. "It's nice when you can give an award to a vehicle that isn't on the strength of it being cute and groovy," he said. "When the auto maker says it pays homage to the Jeep name it is perfectly true. Being functional, proud, and rough and tough as they come counts for plenty out there in the marketplace and it counted with the judging panel. It's excellent on the road, brutal and awesome off it. The Commander has a good engine, and the build quality is outstanding which impressed the judges a great deal. There wasn't a lot of debate over this one!"
The Commander, Grand Cherokee and Cherokee have, over the course of this year, been joined by the Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Compass and Patriot, expanding the Jeep brand line-up from three models to seven - the most available to retail consumers at any time in Jeep's long, legendary history.
"No other automotive manufacturer in the world has the breadth of range of sport-utility vehicles that Jeep now offers," added Barcroft. "Jeep now gives customers the option of an SUV for every lifestyle, while every one of them stays true to the core values that have made Jeep such a legend - freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity."
This latest award for Jeep follows the success of the stunning Jeep Trailhawk concept vehicle, which was recently voted "Best Truck Concept" by a jury of more than two dozen professional automotive journalists from across North America organised by SEAMO, the Southeast Automotive Media Organisation.
"The Jeep design and engineering teams are really at the top of their game," concluded Barcroft. "The current range is packed with vehicles that feature innovative technology, creative design and total functionality - the Trailhawk concept is a prime example of the team's capability and the great vehicles that Jeep will continue to bring to the market in coming years."
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