2013 Audi A3

Jeep Wranglers May Be Forced To Go Topless

 
1 1,908 views Feb 28, 2010

2010 Jeep Wrangler

2010 Jeep Wrangler

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When you think of a Jeep Wrangler you probably think of off-road fun in a warm climate with the roof off and some of your best buddies hang on in the back. For the most part that is one of the benefits of owning such a vehicle, however, a lot of people buy them because they are also pretty practical vehicles. In the winter, there isn’t much that can stop a Jeep Wrangler, especially one with a hardtop to keep the occupants inside nice and toasty. Which brings us to news that the Jeep Wrangler hardtops will face a shortage in the next several months according to a memo sent to dealers on the 25th of February.

2010 Jeep Wrangler

2010 Jeep Wrangler

Enlarge Photo
The cause of the shortage is a little bit complicated, but basically it appears that when the original hardtop manufacturer – Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. – filed for bankruptcy, the hardtop supply started to dwindle. After Meridian ceased operations, another company by the name of Continental Structural Plastics Inc., took over the manufacturing contract. However, since the Wrangler hardtop is made using sheet-molded composite plastic and some other two-dozen parts, the transferring of the manufacturing process has been difficult. Chrysler or the new supplier didn’t reveal the exact problems, but in the memo sent last week dealers were advised to order the softtop option during this period.

One dealer in Derry, N.H., said that he was having a hard time getting any Wranglers, but especially those with hardtops. The New England dealer said that not having hardtops available would hurt his sales because customers in those parts drive the vehicles all winter long and are willing to pay the $735 option premium to have the comfort of a hardtop. Troy Allen, owner of Allen Motors, said 80-85 percent of Wranglers in the Northeast would have the hardtop option. Currently, there is no word on when the hardtop supply shortage will be remedied.

 

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]





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Comment (1)

  1. By Jeep or Die Posted: 11/1/2010 1:52pm PDT

    I put the top on my jeep only when it rains. Year round, I ride with no doors unless its absolutely crucial.Part of the Jeep appeal is the open-air - its like a street legal four-wheeler- and part of the appeal of true jeep drivers is their toughness. I dont know about you, but i dont expect to step outta my jeep wearing khakis and sperrys, going to some party. Throw on my boots, my jeans and a jacket, lock and load that 1911 in the glove compartment, scratch that weekend stubble and head for the wilderness or even the town. Whatever, Wherever, Whenever. Thats my jeep, and its until death do us part. Speaking of death, anyone wanna go rock crawling this weekend? ;-)
    O||||O
     
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