 Jeep/Hummer Rivalry Heating Up
Posted by mike on 2004/1/18 23:00:00 (250) reads
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MSNBC runs an article about the Jeep/Hummer rivalry
We've briefly touched on the subject the of the growing rivalry between the Jeep and Hummer brands - most noticibly with the 7-slotted grill lawsuit that took place over the past couple of years (Hummer 1, Jeep 0). MSNBC.com has recently posted an article that pretty much sums up the entire story starting with the lawsuit and ending with how the two companies have plans to start competing directly (the $50,000 H2 isn't in the same market as a $30,000 Grand Cherokee). Here's a snippet: A long-simmering dispute between the beefy sport utility brands Hummer and Jeep has heated up with one-upmanship claims and accusations of copied designs. The mud-slinging between the off-road SUV brands began nearly three years ago when DaimlerChrysler AG’s Jeep claimed the about-to-be launched Hummer H2 from General Motors Corp. copied its grille. That battle ended when a judge allowed the H2 to go into production, but now the war has moved from the courtroom to television commercials, the printed page and the auto show floor. At stake is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable segments of the market. With sales of the Hummer H2 far above forecasts since it was launched 19 months ago, and GM making plans to expand the brand, Hummer is making a serious run at Jeep’s claim to be the premier American off-road SUV. The latest spat began when Jeep took a shot at Hummer with a recent TV ad that claims Jeeps are better in the mud. The commercial shows several kids in Jeep pedal cars slogging through an obstacle course, while a yellow Hummer-like SUV, labeled “Imitator,” gets stuck in the muck. A boy in the Hummer look-a-like can only shake his head when a girl says; “If it’s not Trail-Rated, it’s not a Jeep 4x4.” The ad recalls a Hummer spot, set to the song “Happy Jack” by rock group The Who, in which a boy wins a soapbox derby with a Hummer-like car by outsmarting his opponents and driving off-road. Be sure to check out the entire article.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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 Originally posted by: Ryan DC, get over it. Jeep has had no real competion for YEARS, and now that somebody THINKS they are competition, all DC can do is sue??? They are just making themselves look like whiney babies, and that is NOT the Jeep image! Until Hummers come down to the price of a Jeep AND we start seeing them on the trail AND find that they are capable vehicles, THEN Jeep can start worrying.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Paul I'm tossing in my comments as a member of a new Jeep family. I've always owned 4X4s and have always enjoyed what I thought was off-roading, but had never owned a Jeep. I had a history of owning Fords, and was on my way to purchase a Ford Escape for my wife's birthday when I decided to test-drive a Liberty as part of my due-diligence. The rest is, as they say, history. We have owned the Liberty for 2 years now, and I am (eagerly) awaiting delivery on my new Rubicon.
My point?
I'm willing to bet that there are more people like me, falling in love-at-first-drive with Jeep, than there are leaving the DC line of products. The Hummer? An earlier poster had it right- they're a fad. In a year or two the used car lots will be full of H2s, and I'll be passing them in my Rubicon laughing all the way.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Dale Life goes on & so will the JEEPhow long will the huuuuuummmmeeeeerrrrr LAST not half the time JJJeeeppp has
jeepman600
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: aggravated I flashed to your site from a referance search page and you are the only site so far that grabbed my browser and won't let me return to my previous site: The Point- Not cool- I had bookmarked you but now I'm deleting you. If you are that desperate. I don't ndeed you!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Bowser I agree. In fact, ship it to my house, I'll buy it later. . .
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Wyatt here is my comment
Matt,
Although you may not like all the complaining, you just proved that it is working:
"People complained that Jeep was going soft. So they build the Rubicon, and that's not good enough. People complain that Jeep doesn't do any decent concepts, so they build the Rescue, and that's not good enough. People are worried that there is no consistency in what wears the Jeep name, so they come up with the Trail-rated tests, and that is not good enough."
If we didn't complain I'd hate to see what Jeep would turn into...Soft Jeeps, no Rescue concept, no Rubicon, no trail rating, round GC that looks like a VW beetle.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: XJ4x489 Here is a quote from one of my offroad magazines:
"Wether every Jeep goes off-road doesn't matter. Every Jeep that is sold to a consumer anywhere is expected to have certain traits...including the ability to go anywhere the driver wants. Anything else will cheapen the brand and destroy much of the value that it has developed over the past 60 years."
Thats how i feel and i am sure thats how a huge number of jeep owners feel.
Nick
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: XJKEN I hear you Matt, I too am sick of the whining. It's even worse on some of the forums though. It seems to me that Jeeps 63 year history is its greatest asset and in some ways its biggest liability. The hard core Jeepers of the past like what Jeeps have been up to now, and feel that any changes to the basic concept
weakens or softens the brand. That was fine when the whole 4x4 market combined was a nitch market. Things changed forever in 1984 when Jeep introduced the Cherokee and the modern SUV craze began. Today everyone wants an SUV that is every bit as plush and comfortable as any car in the same price range. For companies like Acura, Lexus or BMW its easy to build plush, quite, luxurious vehicles with little or no off road capability. Its just not a priority. To stay competitive Jeep has to offer all those qualities and still have class leading off road capabilities, and in most cases at a price that is less than the aforementioned brands. For the most part I think they are doing a good job.
Yes, they should have built the Dakar. Yes, they should build a Brute type truck. Without a doubt they need to build the Rescue, even though it would be out of my league both in price and size. In fact I am hoping that the next Wrangler looks a lot like the Rescue (except size) and would include a short wheelbase 2dr, long wheelbase 2dr, a brute type truck and a Dakar type 4dr.
Add the Liberty, Grand and the Grand Wagoneer to the mix and you got one hell of a Jeep lineup.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Craig Schroeder I mostly agree with Matt. There is plenty of whining on this site. I don't work directly for DC, but I do sell Jeeps for a living. I have been doing that for 18 plus years. I do have a complaint though. I feel that DC has been waisting the Jeep name plate. The Jeep name is one of the biggest known name plates of all products in the world. I feel that Jeep should be producing more products than just three(TJ, KJ, and WJ) You can go into a Toyota or a Honda showroom, and look at more 4WD vehicles than you can in a Jeep showroom. And that is a travesty. Jeep has created plenty of concepts but does not seem to be building any of them. They need to make a decision of some of these products, and take some of them to market. Yes, we could use a seven passenger SUV. Yes, we could use a larger SUV. Yes, we could sell a compass. DC needs to start playing offense instead of defense. I know we can increase our market share if we come out with more products, and new products. And I don't personally feel they all have to tackle the Rubicon trail. Sorry Matt, but I am afraid that statement may set off the whiners again. Happy wheeling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Stolen Jeep I said negatives about jeep and mine dissapeared......................... But i did miss 5 payments, those jerks, lol
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: MalcomXJ "We will see the Rescue in some form or another within the next couple of years.
The Grand Cherokee will get 7 seats stretched version sometime in the next year and will be called a Grand Wagoneer."
Where did you get this information?
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Wyatt here is my comment
You're right Matt. We do need to praise Jeep when they do something right.
Jeep:
Thanks for keeping the TJ looking and offroading like a Jeep.
Thanks for the Rescue - Please produce it!
Thanks for building Jeeps that tend to be best-in-class when it comes to off-roading.
Thanks for the Unlimited - hopefully the next addition to my Jeep family.
Jeep:
Please build me a four door Wrangler!
:)
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon Matt,
I totally agree! I guess if you think about it there is only a dozen or so regular people posting on this site. I think they think they represent the majority of Jeep owners. I don't think so. When I am out and about I start thinking about how many different Jeeps I see out there I think Jeep is doing just fine. They may have good years and they may have bad years but what automotive company dosen't? Somebody has to be on top and Jeep has had it's day and will again when the SUV craze move on. Jeep has been pretty consistent over the years, there again having some good products and a few that maybe haven't been as popular. Hummer's are not vehicles people are going to take off road! They are trendy status symbols. I think the same people buying them would of bought a Corvette in the 80's. Jeep is going in the right direction and going to be fine. I think it's great thing having a Jeep built by the same company that has been producing high quality Mercedes for many years. That's what Jeep needs is quality and they will sell millions!! And I don't work for DC either.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Doug "I sell Jeeps" here is my comment
I agree with matt!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Matt I am really getting sick and tired of the postings on this site! I feel like I'm listening to the democratic presidential candidates! Jeep needs to make a full size; Jeep should only make small trucks; Jeep should only make Wranglers; Jeep needs to make a real tough, no holds barred, off-roader; Jeep shouldn't make a Hummer-size truck; the new Grand looks too round; it looks too square; Jeeps should maintain the same style; the new Grand doesn't look very different from the present model. The only consistent opinion on this site is that DC can't do anything right. People complained that Jeep was going soft. So they build the Rubicon, and that's not good enough. People complain that Jeep doesn't do any decent concepts, so they build the Rescue, and that's not good enough. People are worried that there is no consistency in what wears the Jeep name, so they come up with the Trail-rated tests, and that is not good enough. I am sick of the negativity. And, NO, I DON"T WORK FOR DC! I am just a Jeep owner (13 years and three Jeeps) who is sick of the whining.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon I think the way we show praise is to keep buying Jeeps. What we say dosen't
really matter, the only thing that matters is sales. If we all liked Rubicon's and praised them but nobody bought them, say goodbye to the Rubicon.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Matt My point was not that giving our opinions doesn't help show DC what direction we want Jeep to go in. My point was that each good thing that Jeep does is met with a "so what" reaction. It is as if we don't want improvements to the Jeep line, we just want something to complain about. That is why I compared it to the democratic candidates. Before we captured Sadam, they said the President was wrong in Iraq because we did not get Sadam. After he was captured, they said that it did not matter, because Sadam was no longer in power. We need, as core Jeep customers, to praise DC when things go right. Otherwise, if I was them, I would give up on the whole lot of us.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Rusty Nail Jeeper So Diamler intends to produce Jeep models that compete in the bloated, useless, can't-wheel overpriced, crap segment of the market.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon I like to use my real name when I post. Whats everyone hiding from? It's not like someone is going and come and steel your Jeeps:)
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: observer I believe that Jeep has done quite a few things right, and continues to do so. I’ve spent a lot of $$$$ with Jeep. I currently own a Cherokee, Rubicon and 04 Grand Limited. I’ve been to 4 Camp Jeep events bringing friends and family and have purchased many “Jeep” items. Because of the loyalty I feel for Jeep I have also purchased 3 other new vehicles under the DC family. I feel this gives me positioning to state whatever I think, whiny or as bitchy as it may sound concerning Jeeps future. Saying that I also believe they should expand their line (not weaken it), with whatever they feel will satisfy their market share need.
However, if they loose their off-road potential/capability they may loose the customers/reputation they’ve worked hard to obtain. Build at least one Jeep model that has this or they will be creating competition for me instead of eliminating it. Don’t start on “Trail Ready”, running over the Rubicon impresses me more than JUST those videos on their web site. A Jeep’s looks come second to performance for me.
If Jeep’s become like everyone else, then what sets Jeep apart. Lead and make the rules, or just follow and shut up!
I visit this site almost daily. I don’t always use the same name as this is more of a comment form than a BB, as if this really matters. Flame away.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Here is my comment DC better build the Rescue AS IS... RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!! They can't get people interested in Jeep by wasting time in courtrooms with nothing in the lineup!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon We will see the Rescue in some form or another within the next couple of years.
The Grand Cherokee will get 7 seats stretched version sometime in the next year and will be called a Grand Wagoneer.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: schmack My dream Jeep, 5 passenger with tough, Rescue-like styling and enough room for about a weeks worth of camping gear for a family of four. Probably similiar in size to the Xterra.
Maybe the rumored Liberty Renegade redesign we should be seeing this year would come close enough? I can't get excited enough about a regular Libby to trade in the TJ.
Oh yeah, big ole canvas sunroof so I don't have to giving up the soft top isn't too painful.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: please Please build me a 7 passenger JEEP, there IS a market for this vehicle!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Rusty Nail Jeeper Matt:
OK, to be fair fair; some positive things Diamler has done recently IMO:
Rubicon: wouldn't have happened under Chrysler
Willys Edition: proves Diamler isn't anti-American
Wrangler Unlimited: very good move, needs a 5 spd
Dakar Concept: should have built it
Rescue Concept: should build it
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: John Stenz |
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