Four-door Wranglers have waiting lists at many dealers

Unlimiteds Limited By BRADFORD WERNLE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AutoWeek | Published 11/14/06, 9:10 am et Dealers have been waiting a long time for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Now that it's arriving, customers may have to wait as well. Jeep dealers say the 2007 Unlimited, the first four-door Wrangler, is the hottest vehicle in showrooms. Jeep dealers, who have struggled along with dealers of the other Chrysler group brands to sell excess 2006 inventory, welcome a hot new product. John Schenden, owner of Pro Chrysler-Jeep in Denver, said customers have to wait eight to 10 weeks. "I've sold 20," he said. "I've got orders for another 18 to 22." Alan Helfman, owner of River Oaks Chrysler-Jeep in Houston, said the new Wrangler has been selling "beyond our wildest imagination." "I've got 30 orders as we sit right now," he said. "I could sell all I could get. Truly, there would not be Hummer dealerships if we had this five years ago." A Chrysler source said that dealers had just a 39-day supply of Wrangler Unlimiteds as of Oct. 31 and that compares with 91 days for the 2007 two-door Wrangler.