If you’re a fan of Jeep trucks, chances are you’ve heard of the Comanche. This mid-size pickup truck was introduced by Jeep in 1985 and boasted impressive capabilities both on and off the road. However, after just over a decade of production, Jeep stopped making the Comanche in 1992. The reasons behind this decision have been debated by enthusiasts for years, but in this article, we’ll shed some light on why Jeep ultimately chose to discontinue the Comanche.
One factor that likely contributed to the end of Comanche production was a shifting market for pickup trucks. In the 1990s, consumers were increasingly interested in larger, more powerful trucks. The Comanche’s mid-size design may have made it less appealing to buyers looking for heavy-duty capabilities. Additionally, Jeep faced stiff competition from other truck manufacturers who had already established themselves in the market. Despite its impressive capabilities and unique design, the Comanche just couldn’t keep up with the bigger and more established players in the world of pickups.
Another reason why Jeep stopped making the Comanche may have been related to production costs. The Comanche was produced in relatively small numbers compared to other Jeep models, which may have made it more expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the Comanche was sold alongside the Jeep Cherokee XJ, which shared many of the same components. As Jeep continued to produce the Cherokee, it may have made less financial sense to also manufacture the Comanche. Ultimately, the decision to end Comanche production may have been a matter of economics for Jeep.
Jeep Comanche Production History
The Jeep Comanche was a compact pickup truck produced by Jeep from 1986 to 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler, which was discontinued in 1985. The Comanche was based on the Cherokee XJ platform and was the first Jeep pickup truck since the 1985 Jeep CJ-7.
During its production run, the Comanche underwent several changes and upgrades. Here is a brief overview of the Comanche’s production history:
- 1986: The Comanche was introduced as a 1986 model year vehicle. It was available in two trim levels: the base Custom and the more upscale XLS. It was offered with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Four-wheel drive was available as an option.
- 1987: Air conditioning became a standard feature on all Comanche models. The XLS trim level was replaced by the more luxurious Chief and Pioneer trim levels, which came with additional features like power windows and locks.
- 1988: The Comanche received several updates, including an optional five-speed manual transmission and new color options. A sportier version of the Comanche, called the Eliminator, was also introduced. It featured a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, sport suspension, and unique exterior styling.
| Year | Changes/Updates |
|---|---|
| 1989 | The base Custom trim level was replaced with the more upscale SporTruck trim level, which featured additional standard features like alloy wheels and an AM/FM cassette player. |
| 1990 | The SporTruck trim level was replaced by the more rugged and off-road-oriented Laredo and Briarwood trim levels. A new four-liter engine was introduced, which produced 173 horsepower. |
| 1991 | The Laredo and Briarwood trim levels were discontinued, and a new SE trim level was introduced. The base engine was now a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a five-speed manual transmission became standard on all models. |
1992: The Comanche’s final year of production. No major changes or updates were made, and production ceased in December 1992.
Jeep Comanche Sales Figures
The Jeep Comanche was introduced in 1985 as the pickup truck version of the popular Jeep Cherokee SUV. The Comanche was produced for six years until its discontinuation in 1992. During its short stint in the market, the Comanche received mixed reviews, which could be related to its sales figures.
- In its first year of production, Jeep sold 26,845 Comanches.
- However, sales declined sharply in the following years with only 9,300 units sold in 1986.
- The Comanche never managed to regain its popularity and sales continued to decline each year.
- In 1990, Jeep sold only 4,190 Comanches, the lowest sales figure in its history.
- The final year of production (1992) saw a slight increase in sales with 6,712 units sold.
The low sales figures may have been the reason why Jeep decided to discontinue the Comanche. It is important to note that during the same period, Jeep saw a rise in sales of its Cherokee and Wrangler models. The introduction of the Wrangler pickup truck in 2020 also shows that Jeep has not given up on the pickup truck market.
The sales figures for the Jeep Comanche are summarized in the table below:
| Year | Number of Units Sold |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 26,845 |
| 1986 | 9,300 |
| 1987 | 9,935 |
| 1988 | 8,608 |
| 1989 | 7,010 |
| 1990 | 4,190 |
| 1991 | 4,803 |
| 1992 | 6,712 |
Despite its short-lived production run, the Jeep Comanche has become a cult classic among Jeep enthusiasts and pickup truck fans. Its rarity and unique design have made it a highly sought-after vehicle in the used car market.
Reasons for Jeep Comanche discontinuation
Jeep Comanche is a compact pickup truck that was produced by American automaker Jeep from 1985 to 1992. It had a successful run and garnered a significant following, but production ultimately ceased. There were various reasons why Jeep stopped making the Comanche, which we will explore in this article.
Lack of Sales
- Despite a loyal following, sales of the Comanche were relatively low compared to other trucks in the market. Some experts attribute this to the fact that the Comanche was not as versatile as other models, lacking the option for a V8 engine or an extended cab.
- The Comanche’s high price tag, which was comparable to larger trucks, also contributed to its low sales volume.
- Jeep executives felt that focusing on their more popular models such as the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee was a better investment of their resources.
Competition in the Market
During the time of the Comanche’s production, there was a significant amount of competition in the compact pickup truck market.
- Newer and more versatile models from competitors like Ford and Chevrolet were becoming more popular,
- Additionally, the Comanche had to compete with Jeep’s own Cherokee, which was becoming more popular and deemed a better investment.
Production Costs
Jeep also faced increasing production costs for the Comanche, which presented financial challenges for the company.
According to industry experts, the tools used to produce the Comanche were becoming increasingly outdated, which made it more expensive to maintain and upgrade them. Additionally, suppliers were becoming more difficult to work with, causing more challenges in the production process.
| Production Costs Issues | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased Supplier Costs | Suppliers became more expensive for Jeep to maintain a relationship with, which increased production costs overall. |
| Outdated Production Tools | The tools and equipment used to produce the Comanche were becoming outdated, which made the maintenance cost high as well. |
Overall, despite its significant following and loyal fans, the Jeep Comanche was discontinued due to low sales compared to other models, market competition, and escalating production costs. Jeep made the decision to focus on more popular and profitable models to succeed financially, thus ending the production of the Comanche.
The impact of Jeep Comanche on the pickup truck market
The Jeep Comanche was a pickup truck produced by Jeep between 1986 and 1992. Although it was not in production for very long, it left a lasting impact on the pickup truck market and has become a cult classic amongst truck enthusiasts.
- The first compact four-wheel drive pickup truck – The Comanche was the first compact pickup truck that was also equipped with four-wheel drive. This made it a highly versatile vehicle, capable of tackling both off-road terrain and everyday driving conditions.
- Innovative features – The Comanche came with innovative features such as the optional “Eliminator” package, which included a more powerful engine, sporty graphics, and unique interior styling. This package made the Comanche a favorite amongst truck enthusiasts.
- Influence on the industry – The Comanche set a precedent for compact four-wheel drive pickup trucks, and other manufacturers began to follow suit. This led to the development of other popular compact pickups such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10, and Toyota Tacoma.
Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Jeep Comanche left a lasting impression on the pickup truck market. Its combination of off-road capability, compact size, and innovative features made it a fan favorite and influenced the development of other popular compact pickups.
The Comanche’s impact can also be seen in the current pickup truck market, with manufacturers continuing to produce compact pickups that offer both four-wheel drive capability and everyday drivability. The Jeep Comanche may be gone, but its influence lives on.
| Year | Production Numbers |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 4,191 |
| 1987 | 30,833 |
| 1988 | 26,634 |
| 1989 | 26,018 |
| 1990 | 32,184 |
| 1991 | 24,410 |
| 1992 | 11,997 |
The production numbers of the Comanche may seem small compared to other pickup trucks, but its impact on the market far outweighs its production numbers.
Jeep Comanche vs. Other Jeep Models
Jeep Comanche was one of the unique vehicles ever produced by Jeep. Its production ran from 1986 to 1992. Although it was a compact truck, it had similar features to the Jeep Cherokee. However, the Comanche had a smaller wheelbase than the Cherokee. Most of the other Jeep models have similarities between them, but Comanche was unique in its way. Below are some of the differences between Jeep Comanche and other Jeep models:
- The Comanche had a unibody construction while most Jeep models have body-on-frame construction.
- The Comanche was a compact pickup while most of the other Jeep models were SUVs.
- The suspension on the Comanche was different from other Jeep models. The rear suspension was a leaf spring arrangement while most of the other models had a coil spring setup.
Why Did Jeep Stop Making the Comanche?
Jeep Comanche was an excellent vehicle, but its production stopped in 1992. There are several reasons why this happened:
The sales of the Comanche were not as high as the other Jeep models. As a result, the cost of production was high, and the profit margin was low. Jeep was struggling to keep up with the production costs of Comanche, which made it hard to justify its continuation.
The popularity of the Jeep Cherokee also played a significant role in the discontinuation of Comanche. The Cherokee had similar features to the Comanche, but it was an SUV, which made it more versatile. The sales of the Cherokee were significantly higher than the Comanche, which meant it made more sense for Jeep to focus on the Cherokee.
Lastly, the competition in the compact pickup market was high in the early ’90s. The Comanche was up against trucks like the Ford Ranger, Chevy S-10, and Dodge Dakota. Although it was a great truck, it couldn’t keep up with the competition in sales. Jeep had to discontinue the Comanche to focus on other Jeep models.
| Jeep Model | Body Type |
|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee | SUV |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | SUV |
| Jeep Wrangler | SUV |
| Jeep Gladiator | Pickup Truck |
In conclusion, Jeep Comanche was a great vehicle that Jeep produced between 1986 and 1992. Its uniqueness in terms of size and construction made it stand out from the other Jeep models. However, the low sales, high production costs, and competition in the compact pickup market made it challenging for Jeep to continue producing Comanche. Jeep had to discontinue it to focus on other Jeep models that had higher sales and profit margins.
Jeep Comanche Aftermarket Modifications
The Jeep Comanche has always been a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts due to its ruggedness and reliability. One of the things that made it so appealing was the ability to customize it with aftermarket modifications. Here are some of the modifications that Jeep Comanche owners could make to their trucks.
- Lift Kits: Lift kits were one of the most popular aftermarket modifications for the Comanche. They allowed owners to raise the vehicle’s ride height to make it more capable off-road. Lift kits for the Comanche ranged in size from a mild 2 inches to a more aggressive 6 inches.
- Tires and Wheels: Upgrading the tires and wheels was another popular modification. Owners could choose from a wide variety of tire sizes and tread patterns to suit their specific off-road needs.
- Bumpers and Skid Plates: Bumpers and skid plates were also popular modifications. Bumpers provided greater protection for the front and rear of the vehicle, while skid plates protected the undercarriage during off-road use.
These were just a few examples of the many aftermarket modifications that were available for the Comanche. Jeep owners were able to make their vehicles truly unique and tailored to their specific needs.
Here are some other modifications that Comanche owners may have made.
- Winches
- Fender Flares
- Roof Racks
- Off-Road Lights
As you can see, the possibilities were virtually endless when it came to upgrading a Jeep Comanche. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, the Comanche was discontinued in 1992, making it harder to find parts and accessories.
| Advantages of Jeep Comanche Aftermarket Modifications | Disadvantages of Jeep Comanche Aftermarket Modifications |
|---|---|
| -Increased performance and off-road capability -Ability to customize the vehicle to your specific needs and preferences -Can make your Comanche stand out from other Jeeps |
-Can be expensive -May require specialized knowledge or tools to install -Some modifications may increase maintenance requirements |
Despite the potential downsides, many Jeep Comanche owners found that the benefits of aftermarket modifications outweighed the drawbacks. With the right upgrades and modifications, a Comanche could be transformed into an off-road beast that could tackle even the toughest terrain.
Jeep Comanche fan community and support
The Jeep Comanche might have been discontinued, but it still has a loyal fan community to this day. These devoted fans have kept the spirit of the Comanche alive by sharing stories, pictures and even parts of their own trucks with other fans. The Comanche community is a group of individuals who share a passion for the model and who continue to support and encourage one another.
- One reason for the dedicated fan community is the versatility and ruggedness of the Comanche. It was a popular choice for off-roading and as a work truck, which attracted a wide range of enthusiasts.
- The Comanche community is also known for its inclusiveness and supportiveness of all fans, regardless of their level of expertise or knowledge on the subject. Members share tips, advice and encouragement to help others maintain and modify their vehicles.
- There are also numerous Comanche forums and social media groups where fans can discuss and share information about the model. These forums serve as a database of knowledge for those who seek information about the Comanche features, parts and history.
Additionally, various Comanche events and gatherings are held each year, where fans can meet in person, show off their vehicles, and establish relationships with other enthusiasts. These events provide a sense of community and bonding among Comanche fans, and allow them to share their passion for the model in person.
| Activity | Website |
|---|---|
| Comanche Club | www.comancheclub.com |
| Jeepforum | www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/comanche-33/ |
| Jeep MJ Comanche | www.facebook.com/groups/jeepmjcomanche/ |
In conclusion, the Jeep Comanche may no longer be in production, but its fan community remains steadfast in their support of the model. Through events, social media, and forums, the Comanche community continues to grow and thrive. They are proof that a truck doesn’t have to be in production to have a dedicated and passionate fan base.
FAQs: Why Did Jeep Stop Making the Comanche?
1. Was the Comanche not selling well?
The exact sales figures for the Comanche are not available, but it is believed that the demand for pickup trucks was declining in the late 1990s, and that might have contributed to Jeep’s decision to discontinue the model.
2. Was the Comanche’s design outdated?
The Comanche was first introduced in 1985 and had not received any major updates to its design until it was discontinued in 1992. It is possible that Jeep felt the need to move on with a more modern design.
3. Did Jeep decide to focus on SUVs instead?
Jeep has always been primarily known for its SUVs, but they did have a brief foray into the pickup truck market with the Comanche. However, it is possible that Jeep decided to prioritize their core business of producing SUVs instead.
4. Did Jeep face competition from other pickup truck manufacturers?
Certainly, other manufacturers were producing popular pickup trucks during the same period that the Comanche was being produced. It’s possible that Jeep felt it could not compete with other brands for this market.
5. Was the production of the Comanche too expensive?
It’s possible that the cost of producing the Comanche was too high for Jeep to justify continuing its production. There are many factors that go into this determination, including the cost of materials, labor costs, and marketing costs.
6. Was there a problem with the Comanche’s performance or reliability?
There are no known issues with the Comanche’s performance or reliability. In fact, many Jeep enthusiasts still speak highly of the Comanche today.
7. Can I still buy a Comanche?
The Comanche has not been produced since 1992, so you cannot buy a new one. However, there are still used Comanches available for purchase through private sellers and dealerships.
Closing: Thanks for Dropping by!
Thanks for checking out our article on why Jeep stopped making the Comanche. While the exact reasons why Jeep decided to end production of the Comanche may remain a mystery, we hope we’ve shed some light on some of the most common factors that could have contributed. Remember, even though the Comanche is no longer in production, there are still plenty of other great vehicles out there to explore. Until next time, happy driving!