Wouldn't it make the most sense to hold off selling until the economy is better and sales are strong?

They won't sell based on sales and an upturn economy. the buyer always believes they can do better then current management.. that is why people buy. The price will be primarily predicated on the brand name (icon) and how a buyer could realize on that. A new model helps in this case.

A buyer will look at it and say Chrysler has toooo much to do to take advantage of what Jeep has to offer but they (the new buyer) in their own eyes are more focused, more marketing driven, blah, blah, blah. remember you sell to a buyer's vanity or their anxiety.

It gives cash to chrysler who can invest as required for other opportunities in Chrysler. They really have no other avenue to get large cash into the remainder except for Chrysler credit and that I would think is just a cash cow and can't be let go.

I hear that HD is looking to purchase another American Icon... The Jeep Brand

I think the days of a car company standing completly on its own is long gone