 Video: Soldier Finally Gets His Free Jeep From Operation Gratitude |
Waaay back in January we reported on a U.S. soldier who was the recipient of a Jeep Liberty from Operation Gratitude, an organization that provides care packages to U.S. soldiers stationed overseas.
It appears that Army Specialist Michael Gallagher is back home now and recently took possession of the new Jeep Liberty.
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 Production J8 Shown in Germany |
Carscoop has a good article and photos of the military vehicle. The J8 was shown off recently at Euro Camp Jeep in Germany.
The vehicle will be manufactured at a facility in Cairo and will be available later this month to interested governments. As of now, there are no plans to offer a civilian version.
In order to withstand heavy duty use, Jeep’s engineers reinforced the Wrangler frame allowing greater payloads – up to a maximum of 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs.). Other improvements include the Dana 60 rear axle with heavy duty brake discs and a new air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted air inlet that enables the J8 to ford water up to 762 mm (30 in.) deep and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.
Jeep offers the J8 as a two-door truck with an extended pickup bed or a four-door multipurpose vehicle. However, the J8 can be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand or left-hand drive. For example, the two-door version can be configured as a personnel carrier seating up to eight passengers
 Jeep Engineer Forum July 29th |
The folks over at JeepForum.com just announced an online event with Jeep Engineers on July 29th.
It appears that they're going to be focusing on the Compass and Patriot, so if you have any burning questions, it might be a good thing to check out.
Get the full details.
 Video: New Jeep Grand Cherokee Commerical (Opera) |
Jeeps and the opera go together like America and apple pie, baseball and hot dogs, and peanut butter and jelly. We think.
Chrysler just released this brand new commercial featuring a bunch of folks so giddy with their Grand Cherokees that they went out all became opera singers...
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Walter P. Chrysler Museum Hosts Jeep Night on July 10 |
From a Chrysler press release
What: Jeep Night, third in the Walter P. Chrysler Museum's Cruise Nights series
Who: Hundreds of cruisers and admirers will gather to marvel at magnificent vehicles in the Museum's parking lot. Cruise Nights are presented by the Chrysler Jeep Superstores and the Motor City Dodge Dealers.
When: 6 - 9 p.m. Thursday, July 10 (continues every other Thursday through Aug. 21)
Where: Walter P. Chrysler Museum, One Chrysler Dr., Auburn Hills, 48326 (off I-75 at exit 78)
Details: - July 10 Jeep Night highlights:
- View the Jeep Dakar, Jeep Icon, Jeep Jeepster and Jeep Willys 2 concepts displayed on Museum's front drive
- Catch Jeep Night at the Movies -- entertaining snippets from Jeep commercials and film features spanning several decades, in the Museum's theater
- Enter to win a dining package -- compliments of Frankenmuth, Max & Erma's and bd's Mongolian Barbecue -- valued at $125
- Kick the tires of the latest Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models and pick up a discount certificate -- good for one percent below factory invoice price on a new vehicle purchase or lease
- Compete for "best of" awards: Best Jeep, Museum's Choice and Best Wheels for Wooing
- Enjoy food, music and Museum tours
- All makes and models are welcome to display on the Museum's spacious grounds
- A $5 donation is requested for Museum entrance
- Return on July 24 for Luxury Car Night featuring:
- an inside look at Chrysler vehicle design with Ralph Gilles, Vice President -- Jeep(R), Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design spotlighting the Chrysler 300 C Convertible, Chrysler Firepower, Chrysler Hollywood and Chrysler Phaeton.
Other: Visit www.chryslerheritage.com or call 248-944-0450 for event details.
 June Jeep Sales Down 40% From Last Year |
Ouch. Despite Chrysler's best attempts to spin the news, Jeep sales continue to suck. First, the good news:
The all-new Jeep(R) Patriot posted sales for June with 4,889 units, up 6 percent compared with June 2007 sales of 4,633 units. Combined year-to-date (YTD) total sales of the fuel-efficient Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot compact vehicles which each achieve 28 miles per gallon or better in highway driving, reached 114,188 units, up 18 percent from YTD 2007 combined sales of 96,553 units.
It seems that their "Let's Refuel America" promotion is having some effect - they're extending it through the end of July.
The full sales figures are the bad news - click through if you dare...
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Euro Camp Jeep Taking Place in Germany |
From a Chrysler press release
Nearly 1,600 Jeep(R) enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond will gather in the picturesque Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region of Germany with its 1,000 lakes for the eighth annual Euro Camp Jeep. This ultimate celebration of Jeep -- the brand, the vehicles and the lifestyle -- will consist of two back-to-back events, from July 2-9, to accommodate all of the registered participants.
"With almost 70 years of history, Jeep is one of the most recognisable brands worldwide, and Euro Camp Jeep continues to be the largest single-brand 4x4 customer event in Europe," said Mike Manley, Executive Vice President - International Sales, Marketing and Business Development, Chrysler LLC. "The direct contact and feedback from true Jeep enthusiasts through this event ensures that we will continue this path of success and that our global portfolio will continue to evolve in a way that is aligned with the core values of the Jeep Brand: adventure, authenticity, mastery and freedom."
Euro Camp Jeep is an annual event which allows Jeep aficionados and their families to explore a full range of activities and experiences with fellow Jeep fans. It is the ultimate lifestyle event for owners of Jeep brand vehicles.
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Analyst Suggests Chrysler May Have to Sell Jeep Brand |
From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Faced with soaring gas prices, a sputtering economy and a rapid U.S. market shift away from trucks, the U.S. auto industry’s weakest player, Chrysler, may have to file for bankruptcy or sell its storied Jeep and Dodge Ram brands as early as next year, according to a JPMorgan analyst.
But rivals GM and Ford are likely to get through the rough patch and turn a profit in 2010.
The article goes on to say that because Chrysler is so heavily reliant on truck sales, they are in a far more difficult position than Ford and GM.
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Jeep Liberty CRD Helps Test Algae-Based Diesel Fuel |
Ok, so the fact that their test vehicle was a Jeep really has no bearing on the results, I just thought it was cool that they were using a Jeep as their test mule.
"South San Francisco, Calif. – June 11, 2008 – Solazyme announced today that SoladieselRDTM , a microalgae-derived renewable diesel, has passed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-975 specifications. SoladieselRDTM is the first algal-based renewable diesel to meet these standards.
In a 100% blend, SoladieselRDTM has been road tested in a factory standard 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel. The fuel’s chemical composition is identical to that of standard petroleum based diesel, and SoladieselRDTM is fully compatible with the existing transportation fuel infrastructure. Having fewer particulate emissions, SoladieselRDTM also has a more desirable environmental footprint than standard petro-diesel. In addition, it meets the new ASTM ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) standards."
Check the full press release for more details:
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Summer Issue of JPFreek Online Magazine Released |
The summer issue of JPFreek magazine has been released and is available for free on JPFreek.com. Articles that caught my interest include:
Biodiesel Jeep - the Georgia company that produces the biodieseled J54 entered and won 2nd place in an alternative fuels car show.
Racing Across the Land Before Time - a great article with cool photos about a bike tour across Africa
Back Roads and Arching Vistas - if you live anywhere near southeastern Utah, I envy you. Wow.
An Odyssey of Adventure - a great primer on what adventure racing is.
Tending to the Garden - rock climbing in Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs.
The issue also dives into additional depth on some of the stories we've covered in the past few months including the Earthroamer camper-Jeep, the British couple who drove a Compass and Patriot across Europe in a fuel-economy challenge, "Go Topless Day", the Jeep JT concept vehicle, and off-roading with a Jeep Commander.
Oh yeah - if you like cooking outdoors, there's an article for you as well.
Disclaimer: not only am I a big fan of the magazine, I'm also an advertiser (page 71) in exchange for letting you guys know when new issues are released.
