Grand Cherokee: The Ultimate Search Engine

Love the closing tagline: "Grand Cherokee … The Ultimate Search Engine." 

“From the day you were born … we’re searching. Of “whom”, and “what” we’re not sure.  But something calls us onwards. Something makes us wonder.  Something makes us believe that we’ll find an answer. You might say that life itself is a search. So whatever you do … don’t stop searching. And don’t look back.

The Life Search Engine campaign was produced by CumminsRoss, of Melbourne for the Australian advertising arm of the Jeep brand. Executive Creative Director: Jason Ross, Chief Executive Officer: Sean Cummins; Creatives: Ed Howley and toby Cummings. 

This “Traveller” video was filmed in Melbourne, Chile, Patagonia and Argentina by director Germain McMicking via The Directors Group. Music is “Life Search” by Ben Allen.

Jeep Liberty CRD Clouds Ad

Jeep Liberty CRD Clouds Ad, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Ahead of its time. The 2005 Liberty with CRD engine was pumping out 25+ hwy mpg and had loads of low-end torque. I was fortunate to accompany engineers on a cold weather trip to Bemidji Minnesota for some torture testing. The little diesel did well, and eventually created a lot of buzz in the marketplace quickly selling all 10,000 units.

This ad was created by the now defunct BBDO-Detroit agency:
Creative Directors: Mike Stocker, Robin Chrumka; Creatives: Ty Hutchinson, John O'Hea

Jeep Wranger Grille Advertisement

Jeep Wranger Grille Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

The wild and adventurous view from the engine compartment of a mighty Jeep Wrangler.

This "Capture the Wild" advertisement promoted the "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" Jeep Wrangler in the international arena.

The creative was produced by Publicis (Montreal, Canada). Creative Directors: Nicolas, Massey and Carl Robichaud. Art Director/Illustrator: Bogdan Truta; Copywriter: Michael Aronson.

Interesting note: The 2004 electric-based Jeep Treo concept vehicle had clear plexiglass slots on the Jeep grille so the driver could see right to the pavement.

Jeep Beaver International Ad

Jeep beaver Ad - International, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

The inevitable outcome of man making inroads into the interior? Trinkets and take-aways for the tourists of course! This playful "Now, Man is Expected Anywhere" campaign for Jeep Wrangler was created by the Leo Burnett ad agency in Paris, France. Designed for international marketing campaign.

Jeep Truck Testing

Jeep Truck Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Thought for the day: Before you even consider building a Jeep Pickup make sure you're going to have enough serious customers to make it work.

The Jeep brand had a long history of building pickup trucks. Kind of causes problems when RAM is under the same Chrysler umbrella. Last year there was a glimmer of hope for a Wrangler based pickup truck. Since then, Mopar has released a clever JK-8 pickup conversion kit. The $5,499 JK-8 kit allows owners to do the work themselves with just a sawzall and angle-grinder.

Sales as of September were about 300. Was this a litmus test to see how serious the Jeep community was about a Jeep Pickup? Not sure, but as of September 19, the Jeep Pickup hopes are on hold for a while.

Last word from Jeep CEO Mike Manley on September 19th was that Jeep Truck idea is still a high priority, but that it won't see production until 2015-2016 (if at all). Of course, that may change with Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionni's push increase Jeep vehicle sales internationally. Mid November came news that the Toledo Assembly Complex would receive a 500 million dollar investment with production to begin in 2013.

Copy:
Make sure you're serious.
Before you even consider buying a Jeep Pickup make sure you're looking for a serious truck. Because this one's more than a bed attached to a cab. It's a truck designed and built to outperform the field at the things you need a truck for. That's why we call it The Performance Truck.

THE PERFORMANCE TRUCK WORKS.
It can hold more cargo and haul a heavier payload than comparable 4-wheel drive Ford, Chevy or Dodge pickup trucks. And still gets about the same gas mileage as all of 'em. 16 EPA EST MPG, 21 HWY EST.

THE PERFORMANCE TRUCK GOES.
With 2-wheel drive when you want it and Jeep's legendary 4-wheel drive when you need it. 4-wheel drive that's built in from the ground up, not added on like its competition's.

THE PERFORMANCE TRUCK ENDURES.
95.8 percent of all Jeep vehicles registered in the last 10 years are still in operation today. Another tough performance that Ford, Chevy and Dodge can't match.

THE PERFORMANCE TRUCK WINS.
Jeep Pickups took 1st place in the SCORE Off-Road World Championship, the Mint 400, Baja 1000, Parker 400 and Baja Internacional. Once again outperforming, well, you know who.

All this and a price designed to take on the competition. So why settle for less? Name the terrain. Jeep truck performs.

Jeep Legends Advertisement

Jeep Legends Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Classic Jeep advertisement celebrating the CJ-5 Laredo. It's no wonder the Jeep brand has stayed on track for over seven decades - the capability theme has never changed. Read the copy from 1980 with it's strong style and resale value story and it could be substituted for a JK of today.

Copy:
The legendary Jeep vehicles have been protecting forests, transporting troops, delivering mail, plowing snow, winning races and weathering storms for more than a quarter of a century. Longer than a lot of vehicles have even existed.

They've given American drivers more outward mobility, rugged performance and pure fun than any single car in history. And they've held onto their value like they've held onto their legendary design, transcending passing styles season after season, year after year.

But today's Jeep CJ is more than its famous four wheels driving into the sunset. It's the option of contoured buckets, room for four, carpeting, air conditioning, stereo ... hardtop. soft top, no top at all. And something you'll appreciate every time you drive: more miles per gallon than any 4-wheeler made in America. No other vehicle can meet your demands and desires in quite the same way.

Jeep CJ wasn't born a legend. It had to earn the respect of the world's toughest drivers, and keeps on earning it every day. On wilderness trails and unplowed streets. On the job and out on the town. That's why the legend lives on.

Jeep CJ-7 All-Weather Advertisement

Jeep CJ-7 All-Weather Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Great all-weather advertisement for the 1980 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade. Just as true today as it was then. I love the "it has weathered passing styles..." line. Trends tend to lead to forgotten brands. Fads fade over time. You can be confident that the Jeep brand's iconic, purpose-built style will adventure on. A timeless classic.

Copy:
A legend must weather many storms.

Let it snow. Let it drift. Let it sleet. Let the streets go unplowed and let the faint of spirit stay locked behind garage doors till spring thaw.

The storms of winter matter little to the legendary Jeep CJ. It has been plowing snow, getting kids to school, taking skiers to the slopes and weathering storms for more than a quarter of a century. Dress it for work with plow and winch or dress it for play with ski rack and Tracker radials - history's most famous 4-wheeler will get you through in heart warming comfort.

There's room for four. The options of a weather-tight hardtop, high-back soft buckets, carpeting and stereo sound. And something you'll appreciate every time you drive: the highest gas mileage of any 4-wheeler made in America.

The most important thing Jeep CJ can give any driver, though, is a feeling of confidence. Not just because it's been weathering storms longer than a lot of vehicles have even existed. But because it has weathered passing styles for just as long. That's the confidence of owning a legend.

Jeep Wagoneer No Competitor Ad

Jeep Wagoneer No Competitor Ad, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

I was surprised to see the 32 HWY MPG advertised for a 4x4 Jeep vehicle. That is until I read the disclaimer.

"We Couldn't find a competitor"

If you've been looking for a luxury car that will give your family the convenience of four doors, room for five, the elegance of leather bucket seats and flush carpeting, and at the same time let you shift from 2-wheel to 40wheel drive on the fly, there is only one. The all-new trim size Jeep Wagoneer Sportwagon. We know, because it's our business to compare. There is simply no competitor.

And when it comes to 4-wheel driving, there's no competitor. After all, Jeep wrote the book on 4-wheel drive. Start with legendary Jeep traction. Then consider that the new Wagoneer Sportwagon has the highest ground clearance and the highest horsepower per pound of any 4-wheeler in its class, and gives you outstanding mileage. 24 EPA EST MPG / 32 EST HWY.

So, if you're interested in all-out luxury in 4-wheel drive, there's only one stop to make. At your Jeep dealer. Buy or lease a new Jeep Sportwagon - the luxurious Wagoneer or the triple award winning Cherokee "4x4 of the Year."

Use these figures for comparison. Your results may differ due to driving speed, weather conditions and trip length. Actual highway mileage will probably be less.

The all-new Jeep Wagoneer. America's luxury 4-wheel drive Sportwagon.

Classic Jeep Quality Advertisement

Classic Jeep Quality Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

The Jeep brand won the Total Quality Award for Best Ownership Experience in 1996. It's come full circle in 2011. According to Consumer Report's the Jeep brand has the highest quality of all domestic auto manufacturers.

They also are the most improved automaker for the past year. In my opinion, the best ownership experience translates directly to high resale value. The Jeep brand has the highest resale value for all domestic brands.

Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited were recently honored by Kelley Blue Book as having the best resale value for any SUV over a 5 year period.

To top it off, the Wrangler just won the 2012 ALG Residual Value Award for the Compact Utility Vehicle.

It all goes back to people wanting to own an original. A true American icon that doesn't go out of style. Built with pride and made to last.

Jeep Cherokee Resale Value Ad

Jeep Cherokee Resale Value Ad, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Vintage Jeep Cherokee (SJ) advertisement with seven key reasons to change the shape of your wagon.

The seventh reason: Resale Value is true today, just as it was with the purchase of this classic full-size Cherokee (SJ).

Kelley Blue Book just announced the 2012 awards and the Jeep Wrangler / Wrangler Unlimited came out on top. It is projected to retain 68 percent of its value after 36 months and 55 percent after five years.

This is particularly important as most new vehicle owners are averaging just over 5 years of ownership before trading in or selling on the open market.

So if you're looking for a styling vehicle that will hold it's value over the long haul - look no further than your friendly neighborhood Jeep dealer.

1973 Super Jeep Advertisement

1973 Super Jeep Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Now we're clear that Jeep CJ-5's are girls with multiple personalities (at least multiple voices): Not a bird. Not a plane. But a new thrill under the sun - 4-wheel drive fun-mobiling. At first glance, that same familiar profile, but underneath that super-stripe stands a baby brute with the guts to go where others fear to tread. Super Jeep is all guts from the brawny suspension to the heavy-duty axle - an open-end design that can turn in just 32.9 ft. And special color treatment on the front and rear seats, the roll bar's saying "go!" and the 258 six answers "r-r-i-i-ght!"" Oversize L78 x 15 Polyglas white wall tires are included along with those black rubber lip extensions on the fenders. Plus chrome front bumper and safety rail for your more easily flustered passengers. She's available in all kinds of color combinations and lots of extra goodies. So don't just sit there, hit the trail in a gen-u-ine Super Jeep Toughest 4-letter word on wheels.

Born For War - Ready for Peace

Born For War - Ready for Peace
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

1945 Jeep Ad in the Saturday Evening Post

This ad was published as Willys-Overland was trying to establish a Civilian purpose for the mighty Willys MB post World War II. This transition period was important in re-introducing a new purpose for the heroic "Jeep".

The advertisement reads:

.. To millions of people all over the world “JEEP” means WILLYS ..

Famous for its outstanding performance in war, the “Jeep” has been fitted for peace, to work and serve on farms and in industry, around the world.

The “Jeep” for peace, amazing in its versatility, is fitted to do a hundred-and-one jobs for the postwar Farmer and as many more for Industry … around the clock, around the year, around the world.

It pulls, pushes or drags every type of farm implement. Doubles as a highway vehicle for a speedy trip to town, and then rounds out a full day as a mobile power plant – takes “jeep” power to the job. An ever-ready servant twenty-four hours a day, the “Jeep” for peace raises the curtain on a new conception of automotive service … ushers in a new era of mechanization for farm and industry. Get a “Jeep”!