Yesterday the federal government upped the standards on fuel efficiency for trucks. Essentially the ruling states that trucks, minivans and some SUVs would have to achieve 24 miles per gallon by 2011. The new standards also state that some smaller SUVs (read: Jeep Wrangler) would be required to have better gas mileage than some passenger vehicles with a standard higher than 27.5 miles per gallon. The expected affect is a $200 per vehicle premium that would be passed on to consumers. What would we do with a truly fuel efficient Wrangler?
Technorati Tags: Fuel Economy, Jeep Wrangler, Gas
Mar 302006
The four door 2007 Jeep Wrangler will be unveiled in the very near future. With the New York Auto Show almost two weeks away, out anticipation is growing with every minute. This will be the first ever four door Wrangler, and will feature the 3.8 liter gas engine and the 2.8 liter diesel engine (for the Europeans only) like the two door.
The option to be able to carry three friends on a weekend excursion in a Wrangler is truly exciting. We all know that the two back seats in the two door Wranlger are meant for the dog and/or the groceries, not a full size human being. With my being 6′ 6″, I can’t even think of a time when anyone was seated directly behind me in my old Wrangler.
Technorati Tags: 2007 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep, Jeep Wrangler
Sales of the CRD Liberty (the diesel version of the Liberty), are higher than Jeep had expected. Twice as a high as Jeep had expected in fact.
Sales of the Jeep(R) Liberty CRD diesel, which comes pre-filled with 5 percent biodiesel (B5), are about to surpass the 10,000 mark. That’s double the number expected when Chrysler Group first launched the diesel model in 2005.
The company made the announcement today at the Peter Cremer North America biodiesel refinery in Cincinnati, Ohio. The refinery supplies biodiesel for a factory fill of the Liberty. Every diesel Liberty that leaves the Toledo, Ohio factory is fueled with B5.
The event took place in celebration of Ohio Agriculture Day. Ohio Governor Bob Taft, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey, DaimlerChrysler and local farmers gathered at the biodiesel plant to celebrate the promise of biofuels.
Held in conjunction with National Agriculture Week (March 19 – 25), the event was part of a national effort to outline the positive impact agriculture has on the nation’s economy and quality of life. It was also a chance to reflect on how far the biodiesel industry has come.
Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) said, “DaimlerChrysler’s sales of the Liberty show the success that can result when American agriculture is matched with the ingenuity of a private company.”
Read the whole article…
Hopefully, the great sales number of the diesel Liberty will greatly increase the chances of Jeep bringing the diesel version of the Wrangler to the states.
Technorati Tags: Diesel, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler
Mar 202006
USA Today has posted an article that makes the case that with all of the new vehicles coming out that Jeeps image could very well be tarnished in the hard core off roading community.
The newcomers are Compass and Patriot. Based on the Dodge Caliber hatchback, a subcompact sedan that went on sale in February, they won’t have the off-road prowess that has made Jeep famous. (Photo gallery: Jeep’s image at risk?)
If the new models sell poorly or dilute the rugged image, Jeeps might need large sales incentives. That’s good for buyers but bad for Jeep profits and bad for current owners, who’d see their Jeep’s value decline.
While I think that Jeep is going after more of the soccer mom market, I feel like that if they continue to push out high quality off road vehicles, then there image won’t be tarnished. Of course there are always going to be those who complain about the “sissy” or “girly” Jeeps, but Jeep is in the business of making money, and this is all a part of a money making strategy. Which is better, Jeep making “girly” Jeeps, or Jeep not making any Jeeps at all?
Technorati Tags: Girly, Jeep, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot
As March is quickly coming to a close, anticipation is growing high for the unveiling of the brand new 2007 Four Door Jeep Wrangler. While the exact time and date of the unveiling is yet to be determined (at least made public), you can bet that it will be big. Maybe not quite as grand as the unveiling of the new 2007 Jeep Wrangler, but you can definitely count on a spectacle. I can not wait.
Technorati Tags: 2007 Wrangler, Jeep, Four Door Wrangler