Off-Road Proving Ground at SEMA Spring Expo
Because we tend to call SEMA's Las Vegas aftermarket parts extravaganza "the SEMA Show," many people don't realize that the trade organization puts on several other events during the year. One of them, the SEMA Spring Expo (SSE), is largely dedicated to the display of truck parts and accessories. (Before you book vacation time to go to next year's show, we should tell you that it, like the Vegas show, is a trade-only event. Sorry!)
This year, the SSE had some new features, including an off-road proving ground that was sponsored by UROC, Pro Comp Tires, and Skyjacker Suspension. There, professional competitors drove rock buggies through an indoor dirt-and-rock obstacle course while commentators explained the "intricacies of the rapidly growing sport," said SEMA.
Due to the popularity of the proving ground, it will be back for the 2005 edition of the springtime SSE, says SEMA, which will return to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. In addition, the '05 event will include an off-road pavilion dedicated to off-road equipment exhibitors.
High Gas Prices Don't Slow SUV Sales
Here's an interesting question: How high would gasoline prices have to go before you'd forego your 4x4 for a hybrid or some other fuel-efficient vehicle? If you're like those people polled in a market research study featured recently in USA Today, pretty damn high.
According to CNW Market Research, gas would have to hit $3.25 per gallon before a third of those people polled would "consider eventually" buying a more efficient vehicle. And to get those people to actually "immediately consider" a hybrid or some other gas miser, the price per gallon would have to reach $3.75.
Current new truck sales support this attitude. Even though gasoline prices have risen a whopping 20 percent this year, fullsize trucks and SUVs are enjoying double-digit sales increase percentages. Sales of the Chevy Tahoe, for example, are up 41 percent over the same period a year ago.
Consumer Reports Finds "True Off-Roaders"
How's this for a "no duh?" moment. A recent article in Consumer Reports (as reported by USA Today) found that the bestselling SUVs in the U.S. are among the worst off-road performers.
The magazine tested 34 vehicles with 4WD systems that included low-range and judged the Ford Expedition as the worst off-road performer. The Expedition also happens to be the second-bestselling SUV in the country. The Ford Explorer and Chevy TrailBlazer, sales leaders in the compact SUV category, were the second and fourth worst in the study, respectively.
What did score points with the Consumer's Union judges? A Toyota Tacoma pickup equipped with the TRD off-road package. Go figure.
Bi-Coastal Camp Jeep: Giving It Another Try
We wrote in this space a year ago that the organizers of Camp Jeep would hold two events in 2003, one in the east and one in the west. Well, the western one was cancelled after that issue went to press-too late to chase the story.
Ever the optimists, we're going to announce, yet again, that there will be two Camp Jeeps this year. The first will return to last year's site at the Oak Ridge Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County, Virginia, July 15-17. The second will take place (we hope!) in the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara, California, August 19-21.
In addition to the raft of special activities available to Jeep owners attending the Camps, the new Wrangler Unlimited will be available for testdrives at both events. California campers will have the added bonus of trying out the all-new '05 Grand Cherokee.
For Camp Jeep registration information (you must be a Jeep owner to attend), call 800/789-JEEP (5337) or log on to www.jeep.com/campjeep.