It took these past four years to reacquaint myself with one of the more powerful versions of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ North American modern muscle icon. Four years is a good amount of time to prepare myself to be taken away by an SRT-massaged "392" 6.4-liter V8 and its absolute thrust. Yet, I felt unprepared. Not even an F Performance Lexus helped in priming me from this massive blue hulk of thrust.
One of them will be the year of "thinning the herd," which, sadly, can be taken many ways. However, this term is apt for something that have been a trend in the North American automotive market – the elimination of models from their respective lineups.
It was 1982. My father had not been present in our household for ten years at that point. My mother already suffered her second stroke and is no longer able to work or be active. Half of her body was numb and her speech aphasic. My brother was working to keep our household alive and is a freshman at UCLA.
Consider who is doing the unveiling – Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Jeep. Three long-awaited new vehicles that represent three iconic model names. Two of which are new generation models. The third is the resurrection of a long-running nameplate.
The list is long of these feats of absolute gumption in this industry. Among several entries on this are list are the ones accomplished by the companies that eventually make up today’s Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Even that list alone is too long to parse out on here.
When the world started shutting down, automobile sales went down by nearly half the volume from the year prior. In latter months, sales performance has improved. Some retailers reported better sales numbers than last year in the same month.
However, some of those vehicles no longer exist. Brands that have been erased from recent memory. Certain models no longer offered due to market conditions. Entire segments of automobiles withered away into dust.
I’m thinking it could be a medication for a number of ailments. Like having a better outlook on life with a medication to cure all emotional issues. Maybe to cure cancer, type 2 diabetes, AIDS, or COVID-19?
It simply goes without saying how advanced it is. The technology, the engineering, the design, and the exclusive features simply put Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ big money maker and sales leader out front of all comers.
But, what does that have to do with the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck? This truck is not a joke and can be a real hoot to drive. It’s been a very long time since Jeep sold a pickup truck, even with Ram as the primary purveyor of the segment for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.