Business Buzz*The '03 SUV market may see a fullsized Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Based on the Ram platform, the Wag may be designed to pack a fullsize punch in the face of big SUV competitors like the Expedition and the Suburban
*Ford Motor Company and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be developing an efficient "hydraulic hybrid" automotive drivetrain. The technology developed throughout this project has the potential to dramatically improve the fuel economy of light-duty trucks
*DaimlerChrysler announced that it will be "restructuring" its Freightliner commercial truck division. That means that DC will close three U.S. manufacturing plants, affecting some 2,700 employees. The company moves toward cutting 2001 profit losses and hopes to break even in 2002
*SEMA announced the 2001 awards for the aftermarket industry's hottest new products. They are Best New Pickup/SUV Product: Carriage Works' '02 Dodge Ram 1500 aluminum billet grille; Best New Off-Road/ 4-Wheel Drive Product and Best Engineered New product: Tal and Hadas Limited's wheel pull; Best New Accessory: Painless Performance's innovative R-F Control Center, which uses radio frequency to wirelessly operate accessories
*Rancho and Ford will market an "FX4" off-road performance package for Ford's F-150. The package will include specially valved Rancho absorbers, and the company is finalizing suspension details included in the package.
*Fabulous news! Gasoline prices have fallen even lower than one dollar a gallon in some places.
*Jeep cuts prices for some '02 models as DaimlerChrysler announced that it is reducing the prices on all versions of the Grand.
Coolest Reading PlaceHere's Jeff Daigle standing atop a "reading perch" at mile 343 alongside the course at the '01 Baja 500. We believe he is trying to concentrate on the meat of David Kennedy's tech article. But we couldn't tell if he was disgusted by the reading or horrified by the heavy horsepower V-8 that came sliding around the corner threatening to take out his perch. Horror, pure horror.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Junk!10.The next door neighbor, who you don't get along with, has started referring to your residence as "Sanford and Wife."
9. Your mom warned you that if you drag home another worthless relic, she would kick you out. So to test how serious she is, you bring home a Powerwagon.
8. What CC&Rs?
7. You can entertain yourself by planting a sign that reads "Nothing for Sale."
6. You have finally convinced your significant other that a 440 Mopar-powered International Travellall would be the ultimate soccer mom rig, especially with 38-inch Boggers.
5. You own a couple of acres in Rural City, USA, so what's another truck going to hurt?
4. You are doing your part to save an endangered species from the dreaded "State of California Retirement Program," aka car crushing program for old vehicles.
3. It is a hell of a lot cheaper to insure junk than to give a large portion of your paycheck over to greedy insurance companies for a new F-350.
2. You can tell your significant other, "Hey, it keeps me out of the bar, doesn't it?" (This always helps when you've got your eye on a new "toy.")
And the No. 1 reason1.You love the look on the insurance person's face when you tell them you have an International and they reply, "Who makes that?"Submitted by Mike Barbarigos at Summit Racing Equipment.
You Know You're a Gearhead (or Off-Roader) When...Once again our letters file was stuffed with hilarious reader witticism and satire. Here's what you all had to say:*...you choose car seats based on the quality of their five-point harness.Cheryl Wilsonby e-mail