D/C to halt rubicon production in April...

[Dan-H]

from //newswire// Tue, 1 Apr 2003 10:59:54 -0600

DETROIT... Bowing to pressure from a lawsuit and citing a mixture of
driveability, efficiency and environmental concerns, Daimler Chrysler
today announced that the short-lived production run of the Wrangler
Rubicon will cease in April. The Rubicon model of the popular sport
utility had additional equipment meant to make it more capable in off
road situations. "The Rubicon package has proven to be a failure in
the actual environment where the vehicle is being driven." said
Dieter Baumgartner, Jeep Division Director of Product
Placement. "Many of our customers have had serious complaints about
the steering system at slow speeds and with the rising cost of
gasoline, the excessive fuel mileage." Baumgartner continued.

Kimberley White of Silver City, New Mexico bought a Wrangler Rubicon
in January, 2003. She and others are joining in a class action
lawsuit against Daimler Chrysler in an attempt to return what she
claims is a defective vehicle. "At first we really liked it," she
stated recently, "It fit our lifestyle perfectly, with the tough
looks and big tires." But the more she and her boyfriend drove it,
the more undesirable the special features of the Rubicon model showed
through. "We took it to the Southridge Mall parking lot and tried
pulling the little lever and pressing the buttons for the four wheel
drive system." she said in an interview, "But it went so slow people
were honking at us and when we tried to turn into a parking space it
felt like the whole drivetrain just locked up solid and the tires
made all these scratching and squealing noises." Other complaints
listed in the lawsuit included poor gas mileage, noisy highway ride
and the possibility of environmental damage if used off road.

"In reviewing sales figures we have decided that the low volume of
production does not justify the additional expense that continued
production will cause us." said Baumgartner. "We are seriously
considering the addition of a Rubicon package to the Liberty, but
without all the extra equipment that the Wrangler model had. We have
found that most of our customers prefer leather seats and cruise
control on their Jeeps."

[TObject]

Finally.

[rock*crawler]

yeay!!!!

[Paradiddle]

You have to love the media. Let's interview someone who obviously NEVER should have purchased a 4x4 (we pulled the little lever????) and make them the poster child for why this vehicle "doesn't work". Lame.

Jeep is lame - they should tell the general consumer to shove it. Maybe you should have to take a test to buy a rubicon. Everyone who doesn't pass can just get a regular TJ or Liberty.

Lawyers are lame - lets sue DC because stupid people bought a built swb 4x4 and complained about it being bouncy on their way to Linen and Things.

What a shame that it will not evolve into a better package over time. For the record I would not buy a Rubicon, but I think this kinda thing is a shame - it effectively kills any auto company that wants to think a little outta the box.

Lame, lame, lame.

Jeff

[Overkill]

Give me a break....

[rock*crawler]

Originally posted by Dan-H
from //newswire// Tue, 1 Apr 2003 10:59:54 -0600

[Dan-H]

Ok, I was abit slow getting this posted

[Paradiddle]

Originally posted by Dan-H
Ok, I was abit slow getting this posted

**** - I am so lame.



Jeff

[cbremer]

dieter baumgartner huh? is this the same dieter who said D-C is going to kill the Liberty and resume production of the XJ, but with the option of the I-6 or a new V8?

[Handlebars]

Somebody already got me with that one yesterday.