Jeep News & Rumors
*Forbes is reporting on the most overpriced "cars" (we're throwing in the quotes because these "cars" aren't all cars in the real world). Care to wager? H2? Anything with a "Rover" in it? Anything Italian that isn't Chrysler? The Liberty, for one. Its true market value is 20.9 percent lower than its MSRP. And the Dodge Ram 2500 is worth 26 percent less than MSRP.
*This sounds like a super fun job: Insure.com put on a pencil protector to figure out the average insurance premium for nearly 300 '09 vehicles. Among the least expensive SUVs to insure are the Wrangler ($939) and Patriot ($976).
*Jeep's new head of design is Mark Allen. His previous gig was as chief designer for Jeep and Dodge truck.
"Best Clunkers to Junk"
In a blog of the same name, the peeps at Consumer Reports reviewed data "to determine what worn-out old cars make the most sense to junk." The ones you'll care that they deemed junk? The '95 Wrangler and the '97 Grand Cherokee with the V-8. For "clunkers," CR "focused on the most recent vehicles that would qualify, having a value less than $3,500 and fuel economy less than 18 mpg," explained Jeff Bartlett, deputy editor online, autos. "It is key to note that in our list of vehicles to purchase with your C4C credit, there isn't a single Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep product," he added. "Not one vehicle from those three divisions meets our minimum standard to be recommended, which factors test score, reliability, and safety. When choosing a new vehicle, we recommend people consider CR test scores, safety, reliability, and owner costs-though it is clear that Jeep owners follow their enthusiasm over our buying advice."
Industry News
*$2 Jeep alert: An '09 Wrangler will be given away February 20 at the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Club's annual convention in Sacramento. The Jeep will have a variety of aftermarket parts, including Poison Spyder Body Armor and Rock Sliders. For info about the sweepstakes, head to cal4wheel.com.
*The National Off-Road Association (nora-usa.com) is fighting the fight for OHV enthusiasts, and now it needs your help. In Iowa there are eight OHV parks, but none allow fullsize vehicles. On NORA's site, you can click one button that will generate a letter to the governor for you to e-mail. Do it. They've made it that simple to fight.
*Long live the Viper SRT10. Dodge says it's staying in production.
*The Team ATK Jeepspeed Wrangler won its class (Short Wheelbase 4x4) at the '09 Baja 500.
*Ford has given Warn the Silver World Excellence award. It has to do with quality, cost, and delivery, and Warn has been world-excellent three times in four years.
*Miller Electric is offering a freebie: a TIG Buyers Guide that has info about AC and DC TIG options, details about the company's products, and more. Go to the Order Literature tab at millerwelds.com or call 800/426-4553.
*Are VW and Suzuki merging, is Mercedes-Benz talking to Toyota about technology, is Toyota thinking of buddying up with Daimler, and are monkeys flying out of our butts?
*GM is possibly going to partner with eBay to sell cars online in California; the process would be like any other eBay auction.
Auto Graphs
*New Jersey wants to ban programming a GPS while driving; voice-activated would be acceptable.
*Operation Would You Like Fries-in reality, not as tasty as it sounds. Tucson, Arizona, is putting police deputies in fast-food joints, so that if you hit the drive-thru and order three cheeseburgers with a slur, you'll likely get pulled over for a potential DUI as part of this new operation (and that's its real name).
*This one comes out of the Nevada DMV. According to MSNBC, a Las Vegas man gets to keep his "HOE" license plates, says the high court. The 62-year-old said the plates were originally on his Chevy Tahoe, but "TAHOE" was taken at the time.
*California will now be able to enforce its Clean Car Standards, better known as greenhouse gas emissions standards. The EPA granted the state's wish, overturning a Bush admin decision. This means Cali can enact pollution standards that will be tougher than what the fed government requires, although the EPA must first approve what they want to mandate.
*Will NHTSA require amber turn signals in the near future?
*While we're on the subject of California, the environment, and regulations, the state will require reflective glass on all new cars sold there. Starting in 2012, and happening over three years, the windshield will be required to reflect 50 percent of the sun's rays. By 2016, all windows must reflect at least 60 percent. It's to keep vehicles cooler, thereby using less A/C and reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.