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Jeep J8 Production Begins at Arab American Vehicles Company

Jeep J8 Production Begins at Arab American Vehicles Company

By Colin Mathews's avatar Colin MathewsColin Mathews November 14th, 2008

Jeep Wrangler J8

Jeep Wrangler J8

Enlarge Photo

There's been lots of speculation on the value of Chrysler's brands as of late, especially in light of the stillborn merger with GM. Most agreed that the only truly valuable pieces of the business were the Chrysler Minivans and the Jeep brand. Proving the value of the iconic Jeep is the J8, a rough-and-tumble vehicle fortified for developing nations, specifically humanitarian and military duty.

This vehicle screams Jeep utility and functionality, and harks back to the brand's beginnings as a military-duty, go-anywhere vehicle. A far cry from the overweight, overwrought Libertys, Wrangler Unlimiteds, and Grand Cherokees for sale in the United States, the J8 is lean, mean, and purposeful.

Equipped with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the powerplant is an ideal solution for a truck, and a miser on fuel compared with Jeep's U.S. gasoline offerings. In addition, the J8 frame and suspension have been fortified to handle up to 2,952 pounds of payload.

This purposeful Jeep is exactly the kind of vehicle that built rock-solid value in--and respect for--the brand. Why can't we get this vehicle in the States? Rock crawlers and utility freaks alike would clamber to dealerships for this vehicle, and the efficiency promised by its diesel engine (which could also run B100 biodiesel) would fit right into today's driving ethos.--Colin Mathews
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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. Jeep Wrangler J8Enlarge PhotoThere's been lots of speculation on the value of Chrysler's brands as of late, especially in light of the stillborn merger with GM. Most agreed that the only truly valuable pieces of the business were the Chrysler Minivans and the Jeep brand. Proving the value of the iconic Jeep is the J8, a rough-and-tumble vehicle fortified for developing nations, specifically humanitarian and military duty. This vehicle screams Jeep utility and functionality, and harks back to the brand's beginnings as a military-duty, go-anywhere vehicle. A far cry from the overweight, overwrought Libertys, Wrangler Unlimiteds, and Grand Cherokees for sale in the United States, the J8 is lean, mean, and purposeful. Equipped with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the powerplant is an ideal solution for a truck, and a miser on fuel compared with Jeep's U.S. gasoline offerings. In addition, the J8 frame and suspension have been fortified to handle up to 2,952 pounds of payload. This purposeful Jeep is exactly the kind of vehicle that built rock-solid value in--and respect for--the brand. Why can't we get this vehicle in the States? Rock crawlers and utility freaks alike would clamber to dealerships for this vehicle, and the efficiency promised by its diesel engine (which could also run B100 biodiesel) would fit right into today's driving ethos.--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.

Tags: Industry, New Products, Cars We Love

Posted in: 2008, Chrysler, Jeep, Sports Cars



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Responses (4 total)

  1. By Bill Burke #1, Posted: 11/14/2008

    Colin, How many time can one writer be wrong,wrong, wrong in one short article? Obvious you know little, other than what you have read by other uninformed writers, about Chrysler products. Welcome aboard the misinformation-anti-Chrysler Bandwaggon. Colin, ever drive a Gran Cherokee or Liberty? They are excellent vechicles in my ownership experience opinion. Ever heard of the reciently awarded "CAR OF THE YEAR" Chrysler 300 or the hot selling Dodge Charger or it's fantasticly acclaimed cousin the Dodge Challenger? Colin, did you notice that the new Dodge Ram was named "TRUCK OF THE YEAR" in Canada and that Nissan will buy Rams from Dodge and re-badge them as Titans because they can't build a truck near as good as Chrysler? Chrysler has very good product in a number of segments including Jeeps and Mini-vans and more on the way. Colin, my advice is do some research, drive 'em, be independent thinking and draw an honest opinion and then write a story. Chrysler will be around after this crisis is over and I hope you will show respect to a survivor who, as Rodney Dangerfield once said "just can't get no respect". Oh yes, the Jeep J8 is a winner too!

  2. By  colin #2, Posted: 11/14/2008

    Grand Cherokee and Liberty - both powered by the miserable 3.7-liter V-6. Underpowered, rough, and noisy. Both vehicles are too heavy for their intended purposes (mall parking lots), get miserable economy, and have chintzy interiors. Jeep isn't making vehicles that Americans want, and this is reflected in the company's standing at present. Chrysler on the other hand - 300, challenger, new Ram - is making some fantastic vehicles, and I hope these represent products that will save them from extinction. I'm not anti-American - just anti mediocrity. The J8 isn't mediocre - it is tough and authentic. Wish we could get it here.

  3. By Dave #3, Posted: 11/14/2008

    Grand Cherokee has a good interior, Liberty has a cheap interior. The Grand Cherokee overland is awsome and has a great interior (ok it should for 40k). I agree, why doesnt the j8 come here? I have seen reviews on the Wrangler with this diesel and the reviews are fantastic so why not make it available? And also yes the 3.7 is noisey, underpowered but reliable as a stone.

  4. By JKD #4, Posted: 11/16/2008

    It's rather simple - Those dirty diesels cannot be brought over here because of our emmisions standards and ultra-clean fuel. It's rather pricy to get them up to the new standard and VW and Daimler know it all too well.
    Bill - Have you seen the Chrysler sales results in the last year or so? It will take another $25 B to keep 300s, GCs, and even the new RAM (with basic safety features finally made standard) rusting on dealer lots for another year before even more money is needed.
    This company is completely disconnected and only your and your children's money will keep it artificially alive and pay off its Arab owners.

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