MANAGEMENT RESEARCH REPORT

JEEP UNVEILS FIRST-EVER GRAND CHEROKEE PLUG-IN ELECTRIC SUV

CNBC (SEPTEMBER 30, 2021)
FACTS OF THE REPORT

 Jeep unveiled its first-ever Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid, as it attempts to pivot its SUVs from
gas to guzzles to “green” vehicles.
 Grand Cherokee 4xe has an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range before switching to a four-
cylinder turbocharged engine to power the vehicle. Pricing ranges from $39,000 to $65,000.
 The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the global flagship and will be leading the Jeep brand into a new era
of premium refinement, innovative technology, advanced 4x4 capability and electrification.

CITE THE CONCERNS OF THE ARTICLE

Electric cars are now entering the mainstream. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a plug-in hybrid
vehicle that still has both gas engine and an electric motor that is needed to plug into the charging station.
However, despite the booming sales of electric cars, consumers continue raising concerns about it. Plug-
in hybrid vehicles have problems with high-voltage batteries as these will increase the risk of fire and
overheating. Another thing is that since they are using batteries, it takes time to charge and owners need
charging infrastructures that are currently lacking at this moment. Lastly, plug-in hybrid batteries do cost
more and are heavier that tends to affect the drive. Jeep must monitor these kinds of concerns as these
will play an important role in their future successes. Since Jeep is one of the most top-selling companies
in automobiles and so have stakeholders earning through the success of their projects as well. The
management of Jeep brand should achieve its objectives and meets or exceeds the expectations of their
stakeholders. In stakeholder management, key stakeholders can make or break the success of a project.
Therefore, they must satisfy their stakeholders to not just a reward for them but to encourage them to stay
in the company for the long run.

ANALYSIS
Sales of electric cars are booming and so Jeep is slowly embracing the emerging trend as they unveiled
its first plug-in hybrid car. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe being a plug-in hybrid vehicle is a perfect
choice from any kind of vehicle because it has two functions which owners can use batteries for short
trips around town at the same time can use its gasoline for traditional car range for longer trips. Jeep is
not a perfect company. Early this year, the politics of project were evident inside the company of Jeep
because the 2021 Jeep Wrangler failed to exceed the expected sales rating in the market. Its major
problems caused the said unit to be at its lowest selling percentage. There were conflicts of interest
between the project manager and the stakeholders. Different stakeholders have different objectives. It’s
the project manager’s responsibility to understand these conflicts and try to resolve them. Also, it’s the
project manager’s responsibility to manage stakeholder expectations and being certain to identify and
meet with all key stakeholders early in the project to understand all their needs and constraints. That is
why in the newest 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the project manager focused more on innovating features
of the car to perfection. Hopefully, the newest 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe will succeed.

RECOMMENDATION
Jeep must invest in a project in launching a faster charger to plug into the booming demand for electric
cars made not only by them but by other automakers in the market. With Jeep starting to innovate and
invest in battery-electric cars to hybrid and finally in plug-in hybrid vehicles, it would be best if partnered
with electric vehicle faster-charging stations. As I mentioned above, one of the concerns raised by
consumers is the lack of charging infrastructure, in this event, an opportunity arises for Jeep to expand
their business in response to the surging trend. It will be attractive to consumers who are using any kind
of electric car and are worried about where they could find a charging station and how long it takes to
charge their batteries. Therefore, Jeep could not only earn profits from it but they will also gain loyalty
from different consumers.