Cairo, Egypt, Nov 13, 2008 -
Chrysler LLC and the Arab American Vehicles Company (AAV) today
officially announced the manufacturing launch of the
Jeep J8
multipurpose vehicle at AAV's Cairo assembly plant.
"We're pleased to recognize this important milestone and the role of
both Chrysler and the Arab Organization for Industrialization," said
Hussein Mustafa Mohamed, Chairman, Arab American Vehicles Co. "The
launch of the incredibly versatile Jeep J8 and the anticipated demand
for its export is an economically significant event for Egypt."
The Jeep J8 marks the Jeep brand's return to commercial and military
vehicle production with a thoroughly modern vehicle designed to meet
the needs of both non-government organizations and government agencies.
Originally unveiled at the 2007 Defence Systems & Equipment
International military trade show in London, the Jeep J8 is available
as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment
transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle. It will be produced
with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-
or left-hand drive. The two-door version, for example, can be
configured as a personnel carrier with seating for up to eight.
"The Jeep J8 combines legendary capabilities and dependability that
makes the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited famous, with unmatched
cargo capacity and an exceptional towing rating," said Thomas Hausch,
Chrysler LLC Vice President - Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The Jeep
J8 is also an exceptional value, priced below other vehicles designed
for humanitarian and military work.
"Jeep vehicles debuted in 1941 as the workhorse of the military," added
Hausch. "The Jeep J8 brings us back full circle. With a 67-year
reputation for off-road capability and utility in both civilian and
military applications, Jeep is the benchmark."
With the 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a starting point, Jeep
engineers increased the vehicle's capability and versatility. The frame
of the Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for increased ruggedness and to
allow payloads up to a maximum of 1,339 kg (2,952 lbs.). Axles, brakes
and suspension components are engineered specifically for more
demanding military and civilian government use, including utilizing a
leaf spring suspension in the rear. The J8's Command-Trac
four-wheel-drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in
both on-and off-road conditions.
The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine
that produces 118 kW (158 hp) and 400 N•m (295 lb.-ft.) of torque,
providing towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs.). The engine
is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a
unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted
snorkel that enables the J8 to ford water up to 762 mm (30 in.) deep
and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.
While not designed for front-line combat operations, the Jeep J8 is
fully armor capable and excels in a variety of duties ranging from
command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, communications
vehicle and other duties – also making it suitable for civilian
government applications. Tow eyes and heavy-duty bumpers allow the Jeep
J8 to be easily transported by airplane or helicopter.
Non-Military Applications
Humanitarian organizations
Aid programs
Relief efforts
Public safety agencies
Geologic exploration companies
Survey teams
Ranching duties
Forestry work
Oil industry support
Fisheries
Miscellaneous commercial applications
General utility and other applications requiring versatility
Arab American Vehicles Company
Arab American Vehicles Company is a manufacturing joint venture between
the Arab Organization for Industrialization (51 percent ownership) and
Chrysler LLC (49 percent ownership). The plant, a 1.29 million square
foot (120,000 square meter) facility located on the outskirts of Cairo
was established in 1977 and produced its first vehicle in 1978 (Jeep
CJ-6). A workforce of 680 builds 17,600 vehicles annually.
Initially AAV was established to serve the Egyptian and Arab military
forces by providing them with the American CJ-series Jeep vehicles, the
descendants of the world's first four-wheel drive military vehicle, the
Willys. After meticulous testing, the armed forces of several Arab
countries chose the CJ over other vehicles.
AAV also builds Jeep Cherokee (Liberty in the U.S.) for retail sale in
the region. AAV-manufactured vehicles are comprised of 45 to 47 percent
local content.
Jeep in the Military
In June 1941, the U.S. Army received its first shipments of the Willys
MA, the rugged 4x4 vehicle that came to be called the Jeep. This
predecessor to today's Jeep Wrangler would prove so vital to the
Allies' World War II effort that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower declared
that the war could not have been won without the Jeep vehicle. Willys
went on to produce the CJ-2A, a civilian version of the military
vehicle, to deliver the capable and dependable service that the
military had come to know. Today's Jeep J8 continues in the tradition
of both of these early 4x4s.
Jeep vehicles have been produced for various militaries around the
world. The Jeep J8 marks the start of Jeep's renewed commitment to
supply the defense community with the highest-quality 4x4 vehicles
available anywhere in the world.
