Automotive News--Jeep and Beyond

Tag : embroidered strap

Land Rover is doing a first--a no-risk, 30-day, money-back guarantee for the 2001 Land RoverDiscovery II . If you don’t like how the month treats you, the Disco can bereturned for a full refund. This program lasts through May 31,when, of course, it becomes an all-risk, lifetime, no-money-backguarantee.
Obsessed with the video game "Tomb Raider?" How 'bout with actressAngelina Jolie? Well, we have a win-win for you: In more Land Rovernews, the Defender will be front and center in the live-actionversion of the game. It'll be in pickup form with a V-8, arollcage, a winch, more lights than you can shake a stick at, andexpedition gear. Here's the other part of that win-win: A limited-edition "Tomb Raider" Defender will go on sale later this year. The pace car for the 2001 Indianapolis 500 this May? The 2002 Olds Bravada. Score two points if you justthought, "Hey, isn't the Olds brand about to go buh-bye?" and "Hey,isn't that the first truck to ever pace for the open-wheel race?"


Pricing news for the Chevy Avalanche: The 2002 pickup will have an MSRPstarting at $30,965.
It's a cluster of rumors this week: First off, the Wrangler, discontinued ? The scuttlebutt is that it will be replaced by a spinoff of thenew Jeep Liberty and the old Jeep Icon concept. It'll stillresemble a Wrangler; it just won't be a Wrangler. We're alsohearing that plans for an all-new Grand with three rows of seating(and an all-new name: Grand Wagoneer) are on hold, as is a revampof the two-rowed Grand.
GM is said to be eyeballing Jeep . Sure, ownership seems laughable until you remember thatDaimlerChrysler is laying off around 26,000 employees over the nextthree years, and its stock prices are fairly ugly right now. DC isalso said to be in discussions with Deutsche Bank AG and J.P.Morgan Chase & Co. for tips on how to avoid a takeover bid .
DaimlerChrysler and GM are in a heated battle over a grille . The one in question? It's on GM's 2002 Hummer H2. DC says theH2's seven-slot deal looks a heck of a lot like Jeep's seven-slotdeal, which is trademarked. GM is yelling that DC wants to set backthe H2's debut, while Jeep is hollering that the grille will makepeople think the H2 is a Jeep product. Of course, if GM buys Jeep,then we can all chock one up to foreshadowing.
The Jeep Cherokee will be discontinued mid 2001; the 2002 JeepLiberty will be poised to fill that void. Or will it? Beforeleaving the building, however, it, the Wrangler, and the GrandCherokee will celebrate Jeep's 60th anniversary with special-edition models in silverstone or black and with embroidered floormats with acelebratory logo.
Quote of the month : "It's like saying Arnold Schwarzenegger looks just like Mr.Rogers because both have nice smiles." GM's Brian Akre to theDetroit News.

Inflatable seatbelts (with a shoulder strap that acts like an airbag to cushion fromimpact) are being developed by BFGoodrich and Ford, and might maketheir first public appearance in the automaker's 2003 SUVs andminivans.
This month's tongue twister? Integrated starter-generator . It's the newest hybrid engine to hit the industry, and the Volvotechnology is raring up for an appearance in the 2004 Explorer. TheISG 42-volt Explorer will sport a six-cylinder gas engine withelectric assist; ISG deletes the conventional starter andalternator and instead uses a single electric machine. This permitsthe vehicle to shut off at a stop, then start right back up whenpower is needed, resulting in better fuel economy. The 42-voltelectrical system means a 110-volt AC outlet is possible for usingpower tools. The recently unveiled Escape HEV concept already isfamiliar with the start-stop system and it's said to get 40 mpg. Quote of the month : "Our biggest difficulty right now is that the biomechanics ofwhiplash are not well known." Scott Schmidt, manager of safetyregulations for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, to Automotive News (1/08/01). He was referring to the recent proposal made by theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration to toughenhead-restraint requirements in vehicles.