Chrysler may be feeling some pain in the USA, but overseas they are realizing some excellent results. According to a Chrysler spokesperson, international sales are up 14 percent through August of 2006 with 15 straight months of month-to-month increases. The news is even better in Western Europe. Chrysler reported an increase of 35.6% in August 2006 compared with the performance from a year ago, and a sales increase of 15.5% for the year-to-date through August 2006. According to JATO Dynamics, a market information company, Jeep sales were up 25% in Europe through August compared to 2005, much of the increase due to the excellent performances of the new Grand Cherokee and Commander. These impressive sales results have made Chrysler the second fastest growing automotive group in Europe, second only to Fiat, and Chrysler predicts that international sales will account for 9% of total sales by 2007.

Looking at the sales numbers it’s easy to see why the folks at Chrysler were excited about the unveiling of their production version of the two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for the first time in Europe at the recently held Paris Motor Show. The Paris Motor Show is a major event that is held every two years. It is a trend-setting showcase for the automotive industry around the world and it attracts participants from all corners of the globe. The newly demo’ed Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models are powered by a new 2.8 liter diesel engine and feature a broad array of new off-road features. They will hit European dealer showrooms around April of 2006, and Chrysler feels they’ll be a big hit. Why shouldn’t we believe them? They seem to have an excellent grasp on the European market at the moment.

It is good that Chrysler, an American car manufacturer, and Jeep are making themselves known around the world and realizing some excellent results. Now if only we could get our hands on those diesel powered Wranglers here in the good ole’ USA. Then we all might be happy!

Speaking of happy, we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee at http://XtremeTerrain.com. Quality aftermarket parts like Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more can be found at our online store. Just go to http://www.xtremeterrain.com Find automotive equipment and accessories for any Jeep make or model and get our always low prices on anything you need.

With the introduction of the first Grand Cherokee, Jeep defined and created the luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) market, but in spite of this grand tradition the model is currently experiencing some difficulties. Jeep not only defined what an SUV was, it was the SUV market in the USA with the inception of the Cherokee and later on Grand Cherokee. This is no longer the case. The growing list of strong competition has intensified, and along with high fuel prices, this has lead to some serious challenges to Chrysler in spite of Jeep’s combination of legendary 4×4 capabilities, on and off-road refinements, and technological innovations.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the pioneering SUVs that ushered in the modern SUV market in the early 1990s. When it debuted, the Grand Cherokee represented a bigger and more refined version of Jeep’s smaller but popular Cherokee. The company’s designers wanted the Grand Cherokee it to be maneuverable enough for city driving, roomy enough for the whole family, stylish enough to take out on the town and rugged enough to reach those remote camping areas. The Grand Cherokee certainly met all of these requirements and, we feel that Jeep continues with this tradition in its current Grand Cherokee version.

The 2005/2006 version of the Grand Cherokee, which is the model’s 3rd generation, is one of the best SUVs made, and as one critic put it “arguably the most desirable”. With some of the outstanding available features of full-time four-wheel drive, independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, a five-speed transmission, and an available 5.7-Liter HEMI V-8 with MDS, which deactivates up to 8 cylinders when not needed for better gas mileage performance, the Grand Cherokee is featured packed. Safety features include Electronic Stability Program, SmartBeam ™ headlamps that automatically and quickly adjust high-beam brightness and intensity, All-Speed Traction Control System, and advanced multi-stage air bags with an Occupant Classification System. The look and feel of the body was also updated to give it an edgy angular look, which looks new and contemporary while retaining that Grand Cherokee style with the famous 7-slot Jeep grille. Chrysler also gave the Grand Cherokee an updated suspension system that delivers better corning turning performance and a tighter turning radius.

In spite of these top-of-the-line features, Grand Cherokee sales in the USA for 2006 (ending December 31, 2006) were 139,148 units, which were down from 213,584 in 2005. This represents a decline of 35%. Jeep’s smaller SUV, the Liberty, also saw its numbers drop dramatically in 2006 with unit sales of 133,557 versus unit sales of 166,883 for 2005, a 20% decline. While it doesn’t necessarily make Chrysler feel any better, they were not alone in decreased sales in the SUV segment. Other USA car manufacturers also experienced declines. Ford experienced a 25% drop in its SUV sales for the USA, while GM’s truck sales were down 9.6% (2,499,269 for 2006 versus 2,765,809) (detailed performance reports for GM’s SUVs was not available). The decline in SUV sales, especially mid-range models, was affected by the dramatic price increases in gasoline during 2006. This along with luxury SUV models by BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, and Porshe, and mid-priced SUVs by Mitsubishi, Toyota and others experiencing a surge in popularity is creating a sizable challenge to Chrysler. With its outstanding features, Jeep tradition, and the Daimler-Chrysler technology behind it, we look for the Grand Cherokee to make a strong return in the future.

Chrysler may be feeling some pain in the USA, but overseas they are realizing some excellent results. According to a Chrysler spokesperson, international sales are up 14 percent through August of 2006 with 15 straight months of month-to-month increases. The news is even better in Western Europe. Chrysler reported an increase of 35.6% in August 2006 compared with the performance from a year ago, and a sales increase of 15.5% for the year-to-date through August 2006. According to JATO Dynamics, a market information company, Jeep sales were up 25% in Europe through August compared to 2005, much of the increase due to the excellent performances of the new Grand Cherokee and Commander. These impressive sales results have made Chrysler the second fastest growing automotive group in Europe, second only to Fiat, and Chrysler predicts that international sales will account for 9% of total sales by 2007.

Looking at the sales numbers it’s easy to see why the folks at Chrysler were excited about the unveiling of their production version of the two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for the first time in Europe at the recently held Paris Motor Show. The Paris Motor Show is a major event that is held every two years. It is a trend-setting showcase for the automotive industry around the world and it attracts participants from all corners of the globe. The newly demo’ed Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models are powered by a new 2.8 liter diesel engine and feature a broad array of new off-road features. They will hit European dealer showrooms around April of 2006, and Chrysler feels they’ll be a big hit. Why shouldn’t we believe them? They seem to have an excellent grasp on the European market at the moment.

It is good that Chrysler, an American car manufacturer, and Jeep are making themselves known around the world and realizing some excellent results. Now if only we could get our hands on those diesel powered Wranglers here in the good ole’ USA. Then we all might be happy!

Speaking of happy, we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee at XtremeTerrain.com. Quality aftermarket parts like Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more can be found at our online store. Just go to http://www.xtremeterrain.com Find automotive equipment and accessories for any Jeep make or model and get our always low prices on anything you need.

It might be a long way from the outback or actual off road driving but Chrysler is becoming very innovative in its marketing efforts to allow potential clients to experience the Jeep’s trail rated difference!

In early October at the South Florida International Auto Show, Chrysler set up what they called “Camp Jeep”. To those less term enriched, Jeep made a driving exhibit to give test drivers the real-life experience of driving a Jeep off road. This was no minor feat for Jeep. To build their course at the Miami Beach Convention Center, they had to haul in over 220 yards of mulch and spend almost six days developing the obstacle course. The trail featured a water obstacle and an 18-foot “hill” as well as other driving challenges. All to show potential clients just what a Jeep can do out on the trails.

If this wasn’t enough, Chrysler is going it one better at their upcoming “Full Throttle Test Drive Event” at the Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, CA (Los Angeles area) this Saturday (Oct. 28) and Sunday (Oct. 29). Chrysler will be featuring its full line of vehicles on three different specialty courses, one of which will be a 4×4 off-road adventure course. Consumers will get the chance to test the off-road capability of Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander on the course.

This event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is free. Food and drinks will be available. People interested in attending are being encouraged to pre-register for a general arrival time on Saturday or Sunday by calling 888-809-7088 or visiting http://www.ridedrivewin.com/pr. Pre-registration is not required to attend. You do need to be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license to participate in the vehicle driving tests.

Is it worth the expense to construct these man-made obstacle courses? Chrysler must think so and some marketing studies would seem to indicate that it is as well. According to market research, 40% of the people that attend these types of auto shows will buy a vehicle within a year of the event.

We applaud Chrysler for their innovative way to demonstrate their vehicles’ performance and to give people a chance to see for themselves what they feel like out on the trails. We look for more marketing innovations out of Chrysler as they make a push to further strengthen their off-road image.

At XtremeTerrain.com we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and any other Jeep make or model: Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more. Quality aftermarket parts can be purchased easily at our online shop at our always low prices. Just go to http://www.xtremeterrain.com

In today’s society, Researchers in the United States and around the world are searching for ways to develop alternate forms of fuel. With the ever-rising fuel costs, developing alternate energy is a priority.

Bio diesel was developed to combat the high gas and oil prices. It is especially made for use in bio diesel cars and trucks.

Bio-diesel is made from all natural foods that produce oil. Oils such as vegetable, canola, peanut, rapeseed, palm and olive oil can be used as bio diesel fuel.

Virtually all oils that you use in your kitchen everyday can fuel one of these cars. It does not matter if the oil has been used, it can be strained and filtered and then used in the fuel tank.

Biodiesel fuel is a better for the environment because it burns cleaner and does not pollute the atmosphere. It is non-toxic and biodegradable, making it the perfect fuel.

Biodiesel fuel has been road tested and will get up to twenty-five miles to the gallon. That is better than some conventional mileage ratings.

Many car manufacturers are realizing that the bio diesel automobile is becoming more popular, and are jumping on the bandwagon and developing their own version of a biodiesel vehicle. They realize that the need for these vehicles will increase, and predict that they will be ready for the onslaught.

If you are interested in purchasing a bio diesel and do not know where to start looking, call local dealerships and ask if they offer this type of vehicle. Chances are that they either have bio diesel cars or can place a special order for you. You can also do a Google search to find a dealer that is close by.

The least expensive biodiesel car’s price starts at approximately $20,000 dollars. Depending on the style of car, it can range up to $60,000 dollars. The only reported differences in driving a biodiesel car is that in some cases, the mileage per gallon is greater than a conventional car.

If you want the convenience of a bio diesel car, and do not have the funds to buy one, there is always the option to buy a conversion kit. These kits allow you to convert your current vehicle into a bio diesel vehicle.

The kits are relatively inexpensive compared to a new bio diesel car. They start at $600.00. Although it is recommended that you have a professional mechanic do all the necessary work, full instructions and a help line are included for the do-it-yourselfer.

A car with a diesel engine does not need to be converted into bio-diesel. However it is recommended that the hoses be replaces on any diesel car that was made before 1990. When the diesel engine was created in 1892, it was designed to run on peanut oil before diesel fuel, making it the changes unnecessary.

It is however recommended that the engines of vehicles to be converted do not have rubber seals in them, as over time the oil will deteriorate the seals.

A biodiesel car is very easy to maintain. The only major problem that has been reported is that when the weather turns cold, the oil turns cloudy and in temperatures below 35 degrees, the oil can crystallize. The potential problem with this is that the crystals can plug the engine and not allow the fuel to flow properly.

Special heating units are sold to keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The general public is being encouraged to purchase bio diesel vehicles. As an incentive, the government is offering special tax write offs for those who purchase bio diesel automobiles.

In Hollywood, celebrities and activists who are earth conscience have made the commitment to drive biodiesel vehicles. At the moment, California has more biodiesel cars on the road than all other states combined.

Daimler Chrysler will introduce its version of the biodiesel vehicle in the 2007. The Jeep Grand Cherokee CDR will be the first biodiesel SUV to hit the market.

It will run on soybean and vegetable oil, as well as grease from fast food restaurants. It is a little humorous to think that you will be able to order dinner and fill your fuel tank in the same place, but that may possible in the not too distant future.

With the growth of the biodiesel automobile, biodiesel fuel manufacturers are needed. Currently in the United States, there are sixty-five biodiesel producing plants and about eight hundred and fifty biodiesel service stations. Experts predict that a lot more will be opening over the next few years.

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales in March 2005 were 18,828 units, pushing sales to 3,013,296 units since it was in the market in 1992. The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best among the pack. Its best features are three new full-time four-wheel drive systems, two new transfer cases, all-new independent and front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and an all-new five-speed transmission. [PRWEB Apr 28, 2005]