True to its creed of taking the shortest path between two points (or was that hummer?) - even if that means scaling craggy cliffs to get there - the Chrysler Group's Jeep brand has gone from posting a fine sales record last fiscal year to explosive sales growth in the space of one month.

The numbers are impressive. January sales rocketed skyward 134% over the same period one year ago! That's 8,954 units versus January 2006's 3,830 4X4s.

Chrysler gives credit to strong sales posted by a few of its models; the recently released Patriot, the Commander, and the entry-level (and not-trail-rated) Compass.

See here.