Why Jeep?
There are other off-road capable vehicles. Why did you pick the Jeep?
Grew up in a Jeep family?
US history?
Military?
Is this like being loyal to Coke, Levi, or any other brand you pick over another?
New Jeep CEO has a plan to double volumes
Jeep’s new CEO, Antonio Filosa, took the helm in November with a mandate to overhaul Stellantis’ off-road brand, which has lost market share in Europe and, critically, in its biggest market, the U.S.
Filosa comes to Jeep from top posts in Latin America, where he helped make the region a success story for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and later Stellantis.
For his first major interview as head of Jeep, Filosa spoke with Automotive News Europe Associate Publisher and Editor Luca Ciferri about his “road map” to double volumes and increase profits.
Filosa has a clear vision for Jeep: Stellantis’ most global brand has to become even more global, adding Jeep products to the group’s plants in markets where local production would give a cost advantage.
At the same time, new products that increase market coverage will improve sales, particularly in the midsize SUV segment, whose 4-million-unit annual volume in the U.S. alone equals annual sales of Germany as a whole or the entire Latin American region.
Jeep will also keep a pragmatic approach to electrification: Its next two crucial new models, the Wagoneer S, and Recon midsize SUVs, will launch globally as electric only, but opportunities for ICE variants could appear, Filosa said. “If we don’t grab those, somebody else will,” he said.
Ford Bronco sales have been down 25.8% in 2024.
Could it be that Jeep will be coming out with a tiny Jeep? A small very capable Wrangler style CHEAP 4×4 Jeep would certainly increase volumes. Is Stellantis smart enough to make this a reality? It would devastate Ford Bronco sales and the side-by-side market.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Using A Spotter – part 2
On last week’s Newbie Nuggets (episode 1014) I discussed using a spotter and this continues that topic.
Last week we talked about paying attention to the spotter. Now when you use a spotter, there are some commands that you should be aware of. Some spotters use verbal commands and others use non-verbal commands. Both have pros and cons, I tend to prefer the non-verbal which I will explain in next week’s episode.
Let’s start with verbal commands. These are probably the most commonly used. You can look up any YouTube video and find all kinds of verbal commands given at almost any obstacle in the country. It seems that most people are good at speaking their directions and most of the time, drivers listen. But sometimes the verbal commands can get “lost in translation” especially if a newbie isn’t familiar with what the spotter actually wants them to do. The tone of their voice and patience are important here for the newbie. Verbal commands can be misinterpreted, not heard, and/or confusing. Verbal commands can also lend themselves to allow the driver to look away from the spotter while they “wait” for the next verbal command.
I have a few examples of verbal commands most often used;
Driver, or turn driver: turn your wheels toward the driver’s side.
Passenger, or turn passenger: turn your wheels toward the passenger side.
Easy: easy on the throttle or brake
Control your rear: when coming off an obstacle, slow down and ease the back end off the rocks so you don’t bounce your bumper off the rocks.
STOP: Very important for you to STOP & FREEZE if you hear this command. You may have no idea what is about to happen if you don’t STOP.
The issue I have with verbal commands is that for most, and for Newbies, you may not understand exactly how much “driver” to turn. Or exactly what does “easy” mean? Once you wheel for a bit and have several obstacles under your belt, you will get a feel for what these verbal commands mean. But as a spotter, being able to communicate to the driver exactly what I need them to do is important to the newbie’s success. So for all of you listeners that help spot, think about your verbal commands and try to limit the words and comments so that the Newbie driver can get the most out of the experience. This is especially true if husbands are helping their wives/significant others through. Sometimes “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus” shows up and all kinds of “verbal” communication starts to happen. I know, I’ve been at major obstacles and watched the frustration of a driver when the spotter loses patience and starts over correcting or yelling the commands. That is clearly not the way to help a newbie through. Patience is key.
Now some spotters use a radio to give the commands. This has pros and cons but mostly it’s a con. – the time it takes the spotter to open the mic, say the command, then the driver hears the command and tries to implement the command could be the difference between staying on your line and getting stuck.
If you use verbal commands PLEASE do not say the command over and over and over again. Usually, one time is all you need and it keeps the driver watching you and paying attention to what they are commanding. Too many commands can drive some drivers nuts and it can be very confusing. Likewise, if you are the driver and need to hear the command again or get a clarification on what the spotter meant, the driver can always ask for more direction, or explanation at any time.
And I’ll state it again, one spotter for the driver, remember that we are the eyes for the driver and they only need one additional set. LOL
Next week I’ll share the non-verbal commands as we continue on using a spotter series.
You can also review past episodes #638, 428, 433 & 466 if you can’t wait for the episode.
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Fabrication Freezy, with Larry, JeepingMo
Do You Like to Repair Your Rig?
Jeepers and anybody who works on older vehicles knows that working on your own stuff is part of everyday life.
But as you get into the newer Autos, some of those options are being taken away from you.
And this is also true on many of your normal, day-to-day items as well.
So I’ve spent a little time looking into right-to-repair laws, what is right-to-repair and how does it affect you.
Right-to-repair affects just about anything with data, and I was a little shocked by the way laws have segregated different products.
It’s funny how they break out phones, computers, wheelchairs, farm equipment, and Autos. Each has their own right to repair legislation actions on them. But this is a Jeep show so how does this affect your Jeep? It really comes down to access to the data your car produces as it controls its self, and how you interact with it. A lot of times now they call it telematics. What the manufacturer is trying to force, is that you have to take it to a dealer in order to do any kind of engine control module reprogramming, or adjusting.
And from what I have read, they really don’t want outside shops not to mention the normal shade mechanic in their systems.
And if you look into this, you’ll see a lot of reference to Massachusetts legislation that passed in 2020 and it has been updated that forces manufacturers to give basic access to the systems so that you can work on them. There are many components and modules in a car that you have to access to calibrate or just change components.
Something as simple as a radio is a prime example most of those are coded to your Vin number.
You would be shocked that you can’t take most radios from one vehicle to the other because you’re programmed for your vehicle. One thing we all do is use programmers like Taser Minis, J scans, and several others and we manipulate the data sent out and fed back. We’re not reprogramming, the main system just masking the data in some cases.
So what does that mean? The goal of the manufacturers is, you must bring it back to them if you want any kind of repairs. Yes, you can turn the wrenches, but if you have to access the electrical system that will all be them.
One big twist of this, the Massachusetts law forcing the right to repair was initially struck down because of the Safety Act. The telematics in the car could be hijacked and the driver could lose control.
If you don’t know, a lot of the new cars are all steered by wire. Your steering wheel is not connected to the steering box, and your gas pedal is a potentiometer that feeds the data to the engine. And when it comes to everyday appliances, ironically, California has some of the better right-to-repair laws that I have seen.
An i said that I was going to talk to SEMA. Well the group at SEMA is one of the big groups that are fighting for the right to repair and many other automotive rights laws. They do much more than have a yearly show.
I plan on talking more about the right to repair. hopefully, I’ll have some more on this topic in future segments.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
Hi-Lift Jack Bed Mount for Jeep Gladiator (2020+) $73.45
Mounts to the Mopar Trail Rail system on the 2020+ Gladiator
I have this mount thanks to HiLift and it’s made it through trips to Hidden Falls and two Easter Jeep Safaris. It’s very solid and no noise.
https://amzn.to/49An1Ac
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
One of the most valuable qualities of a good spotter is being patient and calm. This allows you, the driver, to also remain calm and get through the obstacle with ease. A good spotter gives good and clear commands. This may seem obvious but I’ve seen all kinds of weirdness out there from double commands to yelling (especially husbands to wives) to giving the wrong commands, to you name it. As the driver, you decide who will spot you. It’s your choice to use a spotter, or not, AND to choose who will spot you through. If you feel more comfortable with your significant other, like I did, then that’s your choice. If you want to use someone else in the group, then do it. And narrow it down to one, not three spotters. That gets very confusing.
