http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/04/11/mxp-vo-land-rover-disappearing-hood.hln.html
For those of us in high center trucks, who sometimes go offroad, this is INCREDIBLE. I often end up on tight roads that disappear from the side of the car, and not knowing what’s in front…. IE when you are pointed directly at the sky and have no idea what you will tilt down into? Anyway, this would be superb for some hidden spots in Big Sur, etc. Love it.
But now, I rant. JEEP? WHY?
Jeep has successfully watered down the brand again, this morning:
There’s obviously no dyed in the wool brand loyalists at the wheel, anymore. You know how I know? Think of the massive slam dunk that is the “Jeep Wave” that every Wrangler owner as of 5 years ago knew about, and did. It’s like the clearest form of obvious community marketing, and they not only don’t exploit it… there isn’t one soul from top of the brand down to the sales floor that is actually telling people about that part of the Wrangler community. It’s just stupid, on auto-pilot, and out to lunch, all at once.
How is it that Jeep doesn’t view the market landscape and make strategic decisions, rather than follow by making Mini Cooper Countryman? *WHAT* are you doing guys?
So, Land Rover killed it’s Defender, and that truck in good condition from 2006 or 2007 is worth about $50K. VW killed it’s Eurovan for the Toureq “soccer mom” mobile.
If Jeep just saw smaller markets that would offer badass penetration in new areas, they would could just destroy the US with a line of utilitarian, utility vehicles. They could position and rebuild their brand as cars that actually do and achieve things. Then they can ride the marketing of a healthy operational brand into the market. I know I am simplifying R&D and production economics, but really. You can axe one or two of your line, because I think you now have 4 sizes of the same soccer mom car.
Guys… slow down, fence sit a bit, and figure out if you just want to give up or keep spending millions pulverizing a once might brand into utter dust. I have a 1995 YJ that I have been constantly maintaining and updating, because you haven’t given me a new Wrangler that I could honestly consider. Get back to the drawing board guys.
The below is not a Jeep. But it is a crazy road or two. Well.. I threw in some photos of Jeeps. You know, for fun.
Also… you’re missing out on a viral community marketing gold by not talking about, informing, or educating new or old owners on the “Jeep Wave”. It’s like you have no idea about the culture of your own brand. Bravo.
