Like this, but more Jeep-...
Like this, but more Jeep-ish.
•The game Call of Duty: Black Ops features a Jeep, and rumor is there will be a Wrangler Call of Duty edition.
•'11 Patriot: new fascias, body-colored grille, interior redo, and available 17-inch rims among the changes. The 4x4 ride height is up an inch. Yeah, that helps with the cred.
•'11 Grand: nominee for 2011 North American Car/Truck of the Year.
•'96 Grand: Didn't make the National Insurance Crime Bureau's Hot Wheels list of most stolen vehicles for 2009 like it did in 2008. Slacker.
•South Africa, meet the Wrangler Mountain. WM, meet SA. This model will be "the first in a new range of such unique customised [sic] Jeep vehicles that we will be launching into the South African market over the next couple of years," said Guy Franken, head of marketing and corporate affairs.
Facebook photo-tag nightm...
Facebook photo-tag nightmare.
•The KUKA Systems manufacturing operation in Toledo, Ohio, produced its 500,000th Wrangler body. Chances are good that as you're reading this, they've made more.
•There's a new SEMA award, aptly named "SEMA Award." Three categories are defined by the award: Hottest Car, Hottest Truck, and Hottest 4x4-SUV. We agree, "Hottest" is so '80s. But we can forgive since the new Grand Cherokee is a contender for most trend-setting vehicle.
•VP Joe Biden stopped by the Jeep Wrangler's house (Toledo Assembly Complex). It had to do with him praising suppliers for being important to the automotive industry.
•Will the new Grand's SRT8 lose the center exhaust for side exit?
•Will there be an electric Jeep based off the electric Fiat 500?
•Truecar.com says that if you're shopping for a new vehicle, keeping an eye on how long a particular model sits on the dealer lots will help you with negotiations (aka how desperate they are to unload it for a steal). Among the SUVs Truecar.com says are least in demand? The '10 Compass (averaging 91 days), '10 Grand (112 days), and '10 Commander (142 days).
•Let's keep the negativity coming: As part of its used-vehicle shopping advice, CBS moneywatch.com compiled which to avoid. Name-checked in the small used-SUV category? The '07 Wrangler. The site referenced tranny, electrical, and brake problems, as well as the price tag from dealers.
Quote Without Story
"We may be the smallest of the three in Detroit, but we're not the dumbest."
-Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler, according to Bloomberg
Big checks are hard to ca...
Big checks are hard to cash.
•The Drummond Island Off-Road Club has received a $4,000 grant from BFGoodrich as part of the Outstanding Trails program. The money will be put toward conservation and preserving the Drummond Island trail system.
•Get money back-Warn is offering a rebate on select lights and winches purchased between October 1 and December 31. Head to warn.com to get the form and find out how much money is headed back into your pocket.
•Bosch's Light 'Em Up Dyno app for iPhone and iPod Touch-think of it as a portable dynamometer, capable of measuring acceleration, Gs, and ponies.
•King Shocks can now be had at 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers, 4WD.com and Transamerican Wholesale.
•Mopar has introduced EVTS, a vehicle tracking system with options such as 2 4/7 emergency assistance, concierge, theft notification, and the ability to set speed and distance restrictions if your kid is behind the wheel (or, say, you're suspicious of your hubby). Three levels are available; the gold level includes online vehicle tracking (again, suspicious of hubby).
•Become part of the United Four Wheel Drive Associations Great Outdoors Initiative, giving a voice to the 4x4 community. Head to ufwda.org/smf and look for more Great Outdoors info in the forum area.
•Borla has acquired TWM Induction (manufacturer of intake and other engine products).
•Truck-Lite is now all over Facebook and Twitter, including a special tab on its FB site that allows you to access new product info.
•Did someone say, "downsize Ram"?
•Rancho's All Dialed In program equals free Rancho MyRIDE wireless tuning. It's for purchases made from participating retailers between October 1 and December 31. To learn the details, head to gorancho.com.
•Mojave Desert Outpost Campground-you can find it in Lanfair Valley, California, as part of the Mojave National Preserve. With private flat land as part of the property, you'll be able to RV or tent.
The sketches in question....
The sketches in question.
"I'd rather have other capable Jeep models available that could expand the 'Cult' following. Simply stamping a Jeep logo on a non-Jeep vehicle isn't cutting it for me and it's damaging to the brand. Why not just sell it under the Fiat name?"
-Editor Cappa replying to Jpmagazine.com users in his blog, "Time to Get Pissed?
New Fiat Jeep," after sketches surfaced of what some were calling future Jeeps.