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HoosierMud

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From JEEP NEWS NOW.


Chrysler Program Manager Hints at ORT (not SRT) Jeeps
Posted by mike on 2007/11/16 8:33:11 (107) reads

Steve Houtman, Program Manager - Jeep Performance/Dodge Off-Road Parts, recently posted an article on the official Chrysler LLC blog site that he's looking into starting an Off-Road Technology (ORT) program similar to Chrysler's SRT (street and racing technology).

I’ve spent a lot of my career advocating for more emphasis on our Jeep brand off-road customers. Several years ago, I was sitting at my colleague’s desk, and we got to talking. Why not do something like SRT on the Jeep side of the house? We could call it ORT for “Off-Road Technology.” Instead of big engines and big brakes, we’d put big lifts and big tires and sell these production vehicles to serious off-road customers at low volumes.

Our vice president, Craig Love, liked the idea. With his encouragement, we’ve been refining our idea and developing a business case to present to management, which we will do this month. Hopefully, our “ORT” idea will get kicked up to the next level. I’ll let readers know what happens. Hey, it was a group of enthusiasts got the Wrangler Rubicon started. So maybe, a group of enthusiasts can get this idea moving, as well.

This seems like a fantastic idea, and might be just the thing that hard-core Jeepers would embrace. Check out the entire article.
 
I just don't quiet get it... I thought Jeep = Off-road. Wouldn't this be like putting Jeep-Jeep on the side?




...or does that mean they are generally moving away from the off-roading aspect unless you buy this other option? If so, that is diluting the name Jeep.
 
Wouldn't this be like putting Jeep-Jeep on the side?
I think it'd be more like Jeep-ExtremeJeep :)


I don't think the goal is to offer current level performance. The goal seems to be to offer upgrades that were previously the domain of aftermarket outfits only, such as large lifts etc.
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
I think the goal, like eeyun states, isto offer an upgraded product IN ADDITION to the current line. Much like the SRT Dodge Charger, with the HEMI, is in addition to the "everyday" 6cyl Charger. Soon, the SRT will have the Dodge Challenger--I would love to have that car--but, I'm getting too old for that nonsense!

Contrary to diluting the Jeep brand, I think this will enhance its image as the off-road leader.

http://blog.chryslerllc.com/blog.do;jsessionid=D3D32816CF3CE423D90F4FC5F46A2B77?id=193&p=entry
 
Image

If the logo looked more like this, I could deal with it. Because the one they "Demo'd" on the JK-truck by SkunkWerks, was huge and looks like TRD backwards. And at least this way, you couldn't say some kid added some wierd sticker to it. It (mine) goes with the SRT branding, and its not a big gaudy sticker, like the one they used:
Image
 
Not a bad idea, but I suspect a lot of the true die hards won't buy it, simply for the fact that a lot of the trail runners and rock crawlers would prefer to work on their Jeeps themselves. I would suspect this is geared more towards the would be Hummer buyers, or the weekend, once a summer guys who just want to say they know their truck can go anywhere without actually ever doing it. A rich boy's toy that will never get used.
 
Sooooo... You are saying that the only acceptable way to do off-roading is to do all your own repairs?

Not everyone has their own huge garage, nor the mechanical aptitude or skills to be a mechanic. I for one do not get what that has to do with driving a vehicle off-road.
 
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