Episode 698 – California Event Update

This Week In Jeep

Boss Of Jeep’s Parent Company Tells China To F-Off

So the Paris auto show just happened and there’s a lot that has happened since.

For those not in the know, the Paris auto show is arguably one of the most important in the international auto show circuit. Jeep is of course a part of these shows, and the Paris show is usually where automakers will debut their newest production models and unveil concepts. We’ll get to what Jeep showed up with later. But the CEO of Stellantis, one mister Carlos Tavares, (a guy I like more and more with every headline I find) had a bit of a mic drop moment at the show. As you may or may not know, Jeep has all but completely pulled out of China. No more production of Jeep-anything is happening in China.

Well Stellantis as a whole, the 4th largest automaker in the world is about to pull out of China completely. Probably. Maybe. The corporate term is going “asset-light”. But from a statement given at the Paris auto show,  “If we push ahead with this strategy (which is our strategy right now) then we don’t need plants in China. We could instead import vehicles made from our plants in Europe or the US. I am not sure China is indispensable anymore.” Clearly, if Carlos Tavares is using language like that, then Stellantis has likely been questioning their long-term commitments with China for some time.

Business for the likes of Stellantis, Volkswagen Group, and GM is becoming more challenging as local Chinese manufacturers roll out a slew of electric models.

This could be so much saber rattling, but if I were on the side of the Chinese, I’d say them there’s fightin words! Likely we won’t see or hear much more of this before the end of the year, just like we didn’t really hear much of anything as Jeep pulled out. 

Either way, this is surely something we’re going to be keeping an eye on. 

Did One Of These Sail Around The World?!?

Although this isn’t exactly news, it’s one of those Jeep things that I think all of us enjoy hearing about. No, it’s not one of those feel-good stories either. This is a story about the “Half-Safe” …a very unique vehicle that lived up to its name. Half-Safe is a Jeep-turned-boat — and the only amphibious vehicle to circumnavigate the globe. 

The vehicle started life as a Ford GPA, a version of the GPW Jeep that Ford built in World War II that was designed to be amphibious. Hence the “A”  Ford built nearly 13,000 of the model, known as the “Seep” (ship-Jeep). The GPA was ultimately a failure in combat; the extra weight had it sitting low in the water, and the extra bodywork made it a hopeless pig in the field.  

But none of those factors deterred Australian engineer Ben Carlin. Carlin got hung up on the idea that a GPA could make it across the Atlantic. (The crack must have been REALLY good back then in the down under.) In all seriousness, the man got his hands on a GPA and made serious modifications to it. These included an enclosed cabin, a larger propeller, and enough fuel storage to take an honest shot at the crossing. After several ill-fated starts and with total fuel capacity boosted to a massive 735 gallons, an attempt that started in July of 1950 made it to the Azores and then to mainland Europe in Portugal. The world-circling trip was on, though it would take Carlin 10 years to complete the full journey. It entailed 11,000 miles of ocean travel and 39,000 miles on land, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and going over land for much of the rest of the journey. It is, to this day, the only circumnavigation by an amphibious vehicle, and it was done by a guy with a Jeep he modified himself.

Jeepers Win Rebelle Rally …. AGAIN!!!

The 2022 Rebelle Rally results are in: Teams of two women in off-roading vehicles from Jeep, Kia, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and others made it through the seven-day challenge across sandy desert terrain and tough conditions—without any advanced equipment beyond basic navigation tools. Eighteen duos finished at the top of the 1,440-mile course throughout California and Nevada with daily navigation challenges in only lightly modified off-road vehicles. Out of 45 total teams, in the 4×4 class, the top finishers were from Jeep in a 2022 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (a plug-in hybrid) and 2021 Unlimited. 

This was the second year in a row the Wrangler 4xe took the top spot, making it the first electrified vehicle to win the Rebelle Rally twice. Team members Nena Barlow and Teralin Petereit are no strangers to winning: This was Petereit’s fourth win and Barlow’s second. Jeep vehicles took five slots in the 4×4 class standings. A new 2023 Wrangler 4xe came in ninth with a team helmed by two Navajo women, Jeep employee Kaitlyn Mulkey and Racquel Black. Congrats to all of you, from us here at Jeep Talk Show.

Newbie Nuggets with Wendy 

JTS Big Bear Event Recap

We had our first annual  JTS Big Bear event this past weekend. We had a blast and wheeled with some of our listeners and had a great time.

The weather was perfect, even the monsoon downpour we got at the end of Saturday. We had 10 jeeps on Saturday and 9 on Sunday.

Thanks to all the companies that donated swag – Rock Jock 4×4, Redlands Jeep, Nexen tire, Trials 411, Toyo tires, and of course The Jeep Talk show. Also, a HUGE shout out to Becky and Scott who donated the BBQ food, and it was the best burger I have ever had!! Also huge thank you to Larry from JeepingMo who flew out from Missouri and also Elaine, Paul, and Lulu for helping with all the details.

Eddie L and Gary L are listeners so a big shout out to them for joining us. It was great to meet you both. Of course, we can’t forget our #1 infectious agent Mike Zen who infected all the jeeps at the event plus any others along the way. Thank you to everyone who joined us!!!

Drivers meeting at the trailhead

John Bull gateKeeper – Happy Jeepers!!! Gatekeeper – is rougher than the pix shows

Beautiful day on John Bull with Elaine D. and Larry Jeeping Mo

Holcomb Creek

Middle rock garden proved to be a really tough obstacle

Cougar Buttes

Pictures don’t do it justice, you can almost stand underneath the “V” notch

YES, we are SOAKED!!!

Hope you can join us on the November 1, Tuesday night recording of the roundtable to discuss the event details with some of us that attended. Should make for an awesome roundtable.

Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update

I have 6 KC Hilites Cyclone V2 lights that I need to install. I’ve been doing a little research about placement.

Keep in mind that I already have two covering the front of the front tires, so the 6 will be placed under the tub (can you call it a tub) and then a pair near the rear bumper.

Oh, and I have color lenses I can pop in.  6 red and 6 yellow/amber.

Where would you put rock lights on a Gladiator?

 

Links Mentioned in this Episode

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

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