"The Jeep brand is inviting contestants to lick their way through one of seven chocolate-covered Jeep vehicles."
*Question: What are 300,000 vehicles? Answer: What Chrysler is about to recall. Close to 300K '07 Grand Cherokees, Commanders, and Wranglers have a funk in the electronic braking system, which could lead to stopping the vehicle properly-or could result in a delay on, say, a hill.
*The models Chrysler is likely to kill in Newsweek's humble opinion? The Commander and Compass. Plus, the Liberty should be nervous about being more expensive than the Patriot.
* If we ever have to do time in the Gray Bar Hotel, we hope to score a cool prison nickname, like The Hammer or The Enforcer or Christian Hazel. Unfortunately, Jeep Man will already be taken. According to WALB News, Rolland Wayne Rich, who sold autos under the business name Jeep Man, is being charged with 10 felonies for stolen property, including lawn equipment.
You know how diehards get pretty peeved when Zeppelin music starts showing up in ads for feminine products? Meet Jeep's feminine product; decide whether to be peeved about this new line of performance coatings that includes collections for exterior wood and concrete floors. The deal was done with UCP Paint, a Canadian coatings manufacturer.
* Trent McGee, host of TV's Superlift's Off-Road Adventures, is moving to Daystar, voiding him from our airwaves. Praise the heavens (or hell) for DVD technology so that he can live on in your house.
* "It is with great regret that we announce the closing of Nth Degree Mobility. We have suffered a series of setbacks over the past seven months that we have been unable to recover from, and so with great regret, we have closed our doors." That was the message on Nth Degree Mobility's Web site, but if you're a fan of its suspension kits, American Expedition Vehicles has stepped in and picked up a "significant portion" of Nth Degree's inventory and product line.
The pitch: "The Roanoke is designed and engineered for 20- to 35-year-olds that have a passion for the outdoors and need precise performance in a vehicle that is fun and environmentally friendly." The Jeep: It was designed by Tyler Mars, a student at the College of Creative Studies, and engineered by Zoheb Kahn, a University of Michigan product, and features a mid-engine setup, exposed framework, a V-6 turbodiesel, a "Tweel" wheel-and-suspension package, and a steel exoskeleton. The scoop: It's a concept vehicle from design and engineering students from CCS and UM for the 19th annual American Iron and Steel Institute summer automotive design internship. We learned to roller skate one summer.
"We are building 583 Wranglers a day, which is what we projected the market would hold. However, we are getting orders for over 1,000 vehicles a day."
-Bruce Baumhower, president of the United Auto Workers Local 12, to The Toledo Blade about unpredicted high demand for the four-door JK
* Match the staffer to his requested Christmas gift, and you win a chance to buy it: a California concealed-weapons permit? How about 12-bolt Hummer rims? A trip to the Cook Islands?
* Best new products used this year? Hazel dug the Toyo MT, while Pete was all over the Fitch Fuel Catalyst. Cappa was pretty stoked on the Warn Powerplant winch with built-in air pump.
* If the Christmas lights set the house ablaze, what would get grabbed first? Pete = M715. Cappa = Juggy. Hazel = DJ-3A. Firemen would save the family members.
* This month, the editors turned way Oprah when reflecting on 2007. Actual things said: "My new year's resolution is to spend more time with my parents" and "I'm happy with my imperfections."
* Guess who was on the football team in high school and snagged the head cheerleader as his future wife?
* Someone drove an '89 Camaro about 135 mph. The office next door claimed about 130 mph in a '69 Cutlass.