American Icons – Jeep® Vehicles

Jeep® producers have a unique and distinct history in the American automobile production industry.

Starting at the very outset, the engineering of the Jeep® models came about based upon meeting or exceeding specific United States Army requirements.  The Jeep® line has gone through a diverse range of players and owners starting out from its very beginning, when the first Army-approved model had some input from at least three different automobile producer companies.

With the U. S. Army requiring a production of a sufficient number of vehicles of the selected model out of three prototypes in a relatively short time, necessity dictated cooperation between two manufacturers using the same design.  Yet a third company, the American Bantam company, had actually produced an original design.  However, when the U. S. Army became concerned about the already bankrupt American Bantam company’s inadequate size in terms of meeting the contract, the Army arranged for transfer of the original design to two other manufacturers with the directive to make their own design changes. 

At this point, the Willys Overland and Ford companies became involved, each producing prototypes.   The Army chose the Jeep® Willys Quad as the successful prototype, and this became the first Jeep® vehicle to actually go on the market:  marketed exclusively to the Army, starting in 1941.  Apart from the now popular four-wheel drive, the original Jeep® prototype incorporated an even more powerful engine than that which the Army had specified.

While one does get a certain sense of that nostalgic feel of looking over a classic or antique car from certain of the Willys Quad’s lines in photographs, in other ways the look of certain contemporary Jeep® models, such as the Jeep® Wrangler, remains remarkably similar to this earliest full-production model.

The manufacturers supplied the Army with two full-production models based on the original Willys Quad prototype:  The Willys MA and the Willys MB.

It took little time, partially influenced by the perceptions of servicemen who used the Jeep®s during the war, for the general population to realize the need for broadening the Jeep® market into the general population.  With additional post-war modifications to adapt for uses like agricultural applications, this led to the next generation of Jeep® vehicles, the CJ – or Civilian Jeep® – line by 1945.

The CJ line, as used in civilian applications, contributed significantly to the post-World War II restoration of prosperity in the United States.

Additionally, between the two, the original Jeep® Willys and the Jeep® CJ 2A models became the basis for a variety of other, later developed, four-wheel drive vehicles and the entire Sport Utility category of vehicles. 

Later Jeep® models would continue to innovate in various ways, maintaining the heritage of solid design and adapting the line so as to supply models suited to a variety of specific uses.

The heritage of the Jeep® line, therefore, offers valuable lessons both on the design innovation and the marketing adaptability categories of automotive production that other industry players could do well to learn from.

For those readers interested in more contemporary Jeep® models, you can find reviews on many models at the Dewey Dodge dealer of Des Moines website at
 www.deweydodgejeep.com.

References:

Jeep Heritage:  Multiple Blogs:    http://blog.jeep.com/category/heritage/page/3/

Jeep.   Wikopedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep

2013 BMW 1-series review

Since that’s what I know, I’m going to consider the BMW-1 series of cars from the perspective of a potential purchaser.

According to at least one automotive reviewer who generally rates this series of cars highly, the BMW-1 series does have the drawback of being somewhat cramped in terms of space.  This issue applies particularly to the rear seats of the vehicle.

An advantage to this series of vehicles, however, is that the model line incorporates the ability to upgrade features after initial purchase.

As with many European cars, the consumer also has the assurance by reputation of a general standard of reliability of the vehicle.

The 2013 BMW-1 series of cars has a design geared specifically to people who enjoy driving for its own sake.  People who look for high-power, high-performance cars when purchasing a vehicle.  Yet, at the same time, people who look for a car that comes closer to a luxury type vehicle sort of driving experience [and riding experience] than a devoted driver interested in the more rough-and-ready type of ride of something like an SUV or ATV.

Clearly, also, being a BMW, this model series is designed for buyers for whom the price point of the vehicles poses no object.

So, what is the profile of consumers for whom this is likely not the car to consider?

Firstly, since all models incorporate a six-speed, manual transmission, this model series is not the right car choice for anyone who either does not know how to drive a manual shift vehicle or does know how but has physical restraints that make clutch operation difficult or impossible.  Even some manual shift proficient drivers who have only driven a three or perhaps four-speed shift may hesitate about choosing this model.

As a car that provides a driving experience somewhat similar to a luxury car but also somewhat similar to a sports car, people who have experienced difficulties with driving a car with the kind of “feel” of a sports car may also prefer to shun this model.  Some medical conditions such as inner ear issues can cause dizziness and perception problems in the sufferer when operating a car with the driving “feel” of a sports car.

People who prefer, or need, a more practical vehicle such as a mini-van, SUV, or even a traditional sedan or station wagon also may prefer another vehicle choice.

Finally, those whose car buying budget forbids consideration of the price points of this series will not make viable consumer candidates for a model in this series. 

But, in a way, even the categories of potential buyers excluded offers a pro on this type of vehicle series:  it reflects a closely targeted market that contributes to the cachet that owners of these vehicles covet.

Coupe models available in three “package” options:  premium, cold-weather and technology packages.  Convertible models available in two package types:  cold-weather and technology – with “cold weather” package seeming an odd option for a convertible model automobile.

For those of you who are ready to pursuit that dream of owning a BMW 1 Series you can visit Baltimore's BMW store - BMW of Towson.

Reference:

2013 BMW 135is Coupe and Convertible Announced, http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691753

What has this to do with Writings?

I'm preparing to start a new series of posts on the blog sometime soon.

I wanted to  introduce that series, as I did with the one adult learner language learning issues.

In this case, I also want to make brief commentary on the relationship between the topic -- vehicular articles -- and Writing(s).

In my mind, there are relationships in a few different ways.

To start out, certain well-known authors -- notably Julia Cameron but she's not alone in this -- have observed that during drive time is a productive creative "think time" for many of us.

Secondly, as I have commented in earlier entries, there is the nostalgia factor of classic and antique cars which can also foster our creative and writerly minds.

Writing product descriptions or product reviews is also a viable freelancing option for some writers.

There are also the consumer aspects which are involved in purchasing a vehicle;  probably the most significant purchase decision after a home that most people make.

And, finally, good writers always benefit from stretching their skills and experimenting with writing on new and unfamiliar topics.

So, I will soon be putting some blog posts on the site dealing with different topics related, in one form or another, to vehicles.

Oops!

Deleted inadvertent, semi-duplicate post.


www.kristawriter.com