Toledo Jeep workers to get four more weeks of "vacation"
click above to view more high-res pics of the 2008 Jeep Liberty
Employees at Jeep's factory in Toledo, Ohio reported back to work this week after two months of mandatory downtime. The good news is that they still have their jobs; the bad news is that they've been told to expect another four weeks off before the end of the year. This time, however, the shutdowns will be scheduled in week-long intervals instead of covering an entire four-week period. The slowdown of SUV sales has been widely covered and the Jeep brand has not been immune, including its bread-and-butter Wrangler model that had proven extremely popular a short while back when the first-ever four-door version was unveiled. Of course, back then gas was below $3 a gallon. Besides the Wrangler, Jeep also makes the Liberty and Dodge Nitro at the Toledo plant.
Gallery: 2008 Jeep Liberty
[Source: 13 ABC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jte 6:35PM (8/26/2008)
Whose bright idea was it to not include 4 bangers in the recent Wrangler and Liberty?
JEEP just cries out for diesels!
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The Luigiian 9:08PM (8/26/2008)
I would buy a four-cylinder Wrangler if it got 21 mpg overall. That's the same mileage figure as the Patriot Trail-Rated, but I don't think it's undoable.
C'mon Jeep! Don't make me buy a Toyota Tacoma just to get a four-banger offroader!
Frank 9:32AM (8/27/2008)
Jeep already makes lots of diesels, right in Toledo. Then they are all shipped to Europe! They get great mileage too. But they are illegal here. It seems the enviros don't like the smelly diesel exhaust. The Euro's are ok with it, and aren't they supposed to be the enlightened ones to show us the way? So what gives? Write you congressman and senator that you want the stupid laws repealed so we can have the same thing Europe has, diesel powered Jeeps that get 30+ mpg!
Too bad we couldn't just sneak illegal diesel powered Jeeps across the border like people.
G-Meister 9:56AM (8/27/2008)
A gas 4 cylinder wouldn't work in that pig they now call Wrangler. It's just too damn heavy. The TJ was drivable with a four, but this thing would just be a liability. The diesel seems to work just fine, though the fuel savings aren't that great- a German off-road magazine did a toe-to-toe comparison, and it saved about 20% in fuel- not worth it.
Toledo Guy- an friend of mine gets 21-23 in her 6spd unlimited. It's mostly back-road commuting, but they really can do quite well. at the same time, I know people that get 15mpg all day long, even after bolting up 35's.
Kumail891 6:50PM (8/26/2008)
they are probably just sitting at home, maybe looking for another job by now...
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Toledo Guy 10:31PM (8/26/2008)
Well since my neighbors are Jeep workers, I can tell you that they are NOT out looking for another job. They get 95% of their regular pay while on "shutdown". most of 'em don't have enough to do right now, and are sitting home bored. But that contract is too good to give up.
FYI, my wife would love a Wrangler Unlimited, but the damn thing is just too thirsty. When her current Jeep lease comes up this fall, we'll be moving away from Chrysler.
Dave 6:56PM (8/26/2008)
I'd love to have three months off per year.
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phooky 6:59PM (8/26/2008)
I'd love to have a job that pays consistently.
Ken Stamper 10:12PM (8/26/2008)
Dude, they're not getting paid for their "vacation"
MONTE 7:23PM (8/26/2008)
Jeep, WHATEVER YOU DO, do not put a diesel into the Wrangler like American has been begging for for decades. We would hate for your egos to get bruised by going against your policy that no diesel Wrangler will ever (yes, ever) be sold in the U.S. A $50k diesel Cherokee is all we will ever need because honestly, who would want a diesel Wrangler for $25k instead?
/sarcasm
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Rob 10:01PM (8/26/2008)
Yeah... after a while of watching Chrysler for a while, I don't expect them to make anything but foolish decisions. Occasionally I'm pleasantly surprised. Not very often though.
Rob 10:03PM (8/26/2008)
crap... 2 whiles, pretend one isn't there please.
John Ward 11:22AM (8/27/2008)
One note about the current Liberty. I hate how they turned the front end from a Jeep to a Nitro look-alike. Definitely a step backwards in the styling department. Jeeps introduction of cute-utes such as the Compass and Patriot were bad news. Now the next Grand Cherokee will be car based. Jeep is in serious trouble. The only product they have left that is true to their original lineage is the Wrangler. The Wrangler Unlimited is ok too but other than that their product line is a mess.
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