Jeep starts building Jeep J8s in Egypt

Chrysler LLC and the Arab American Vehicles Company today announced the launch of the Jeep J8 military, commercial, and agency utility vehicle.

Unveiled at the 2007 Defence Systems and Equipment International military trade show in London, the Jeep J8 is available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed, or as a four-door. It will be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right- or left-hand drive. The two-door version can be configured as a personnel carrier with seating for up to eight.

To create a J8, the frame of the Wrangler Unlimited was reinforced for increased ruggedness and to allow payloads up to 2,952 pounds. Axles, brakes and suspension components were engineered for more demanding military and civilian government use, including using a rear leaf-spring suspension. The J8’s Command-Trac® four-wheel-drive system allows versatility and performance on-and off-road.

The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that produces 158 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, providing towing capability of up to 7,716 pounds; it is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 has special air filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel to cross water up to 30 inches deep, and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.

While not designed for front-line combat operations, the Jeep J8 is armor capable and can be used as a command vehicle, troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, or communications vehicle. Tow eyes and heavy-duty bumpers allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by airplane or helicopter.

Arab American Vehicles Co. 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 facility located on the outskirts of Cairo, was established in 1977 and produced its first vehicle in 1978 (Jeep CJ-6). A work force of 680 builds 17,600 vehicles annually.

Arab American Vehicles was established to provide Arab military forces with the American CJ-series Jeep vehicles, and also builds the Jeep Cherokee (Liberty in the United States) for retail sale in the region.