In The Ghetto"California-based, international hip-hop stars Tyrese, Too Short, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, MC Lyte, Melyssa Ford, YoYo, CHngo Bling, Kid Frost, Taraji Henson, Bryan Leach, The Terrero Brothers, and Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom will join the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis for the Los Angeles Hip-Hop Summit." That was from a press release about a personal-finance event title-sponsored by Chrysler Financial. But then you probably had already figured that out.
Jeep is also marketing the new Wrangler Unlimited as...oh, heck, we'll let them tell you that too: "(It) will be introduced to the African American market with a spot called 'Bigger Deffer,' which pays homage to Wrangler's place in the beginning stages of hip-hop music. 'Bigger Deffer' opens with the words 'we ran the streets...and became legendary' set to hip-hop music and fast-paced, computer-generated images in an urban setting." Yeah, and it ends with "more room to move the crowd." We'd like to say we're coughing up blood from laughing so much at Jeep's attempt at wiggerdom, but we've been too busy trying to figure out what "bigger deffer" is exactly. It sounds a lot like something our really white mom would say to seem hip. We know "def" is cool, and we understand "bigger," and there was the LL Cool J album called "Bigger and Deffer," but a stroll down Urban Dictionary lane didn't reveal an actual phrase "bigger deffer." Therefore, we think Jeep also qualifies for the beginning stages of hip-hop word butchery as well. Jeep: Breaking ground again, yo.
More Hemi.comNew photos, history, timelines, facts, and other stuff make up the relaunched hemi.com. There's also a new area called "What is a Hemi?" We're guessing the answer isn't "half."
Jeep News & Rumors*Is the Wrangler Rubicon on hold (at least at press time) because of front sway bar issues? We asked you first.
*The Commander keeps racking up the wins-this time, it's for the Consumer Reports' worst rear blind-spot competition, specifically the midsize-SUV department. Measurements were taken based on 5-foot-1-inch and 5-foot-8-inch drivers, illustrating the blind distance between the Jeep and vehicular manslaughter charges. The numbers were 69 and 44 feet for those drivers, respectively.
*Those terrible ads with Chrysler's Dr. Z? The powers that be realized they could sell more vehicles if they replaced him with zero percent financing and rebates. So he's gone. For now.
*Trivia: The '07 model year marks seven Jeeps available-the most in Jeep's history.
Auto Graphs*We're starting to think it'll be really difficult to recognize the true sign of the apocalypse. Case in point: A supposed radio ad for a Mitsubishi dealership in Columbus, Ohio, proclaiming a "jihad on the U.S. auto market" and offering to hand out free swords to kids on "Fatwa Fridays." The spot hadn't yet aired as of press time.
*Second sign that the apocalypse is going to sneak up on us: Are GM and Ford seriously talking merger?
*The Economy Ministry in Hungary decided to use the Internet to hold voting for the naming of a new bridge to be built over the Danube in Budapest. At press time, Chuck Norris (yup, that one) was in the lead.
*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now requiring automakers to tell you if your vehicle has a black box. It also has proposed a rule that would require Electronic Safety Control on all vehicles under 10,000 pounds starting with '09 models and becoming standard for the '12 model year.
*Careerbuilder.com says its survey of 2,200 workers nationwide has revealed that 59 percent admitted to having had road rage when going to and from work. One out of 10 said they nearly always had it while commuting. Almost 100 percent said they developed it from pink Beetles.
Separated at Birth?'07 Wrangler PricingThe new JK will start at $18,765. Here's the rundown of all MSRPs:X: $18,765X "C" package: $20,005X "S" package: $21,145Sahara: $23,530Rubicon: $26,750Unlimited X "C" package: 20,140 (4x2), $22,140 (4x4)Unlimited X "S" package: $21,850 (4x2), $23,850 (4x4)Unlimited Sahara: $24,735 (4x2), 26,735 (4x4)Unlimited Rubicon: $28,895
California Sues Automakers For Global WarmingThat's right, folks, California has decided to sue Ford, the U.S. version of DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Toyota, and the North American branches of Honda and Nissan, saying their vehicles have caused billions of dollars in damages from greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, the state's Governor Terminator signed into law a measure that will cap the man-made greenhouse gas emissions for the state in an effort to reduce carbon emissions 25 percent by the year 2020. You see, it's all about automobiles, not, say, the oil refineries, the construction industry, airplanes, cigarettes, Tech Editor Hazel's scented candles while he's bathing
Apparently, if you want to make a lot of money in California, it's time to invent the transporter and let the beaming begin.