“We’d like to welcome our new board members and thank our current members for their continued service to the outdoor recreation industry,” said Matt Caldwell, Tread Lightly!’s Executive Director. “Our board of directors and advisors are vital to the success of our organization and help us achieve our mission of promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education and stewardship. We look forward to growing our impact with their advisement.”

Tread Lightly!’s newest Board of Directors include Charlene Bower, Founder of the Ladies Offroad Network and Bower Media; Ron Frazier, Co-Founder of Camp Yoshi; Tom Zielinksi, President of Z Performance; and Nick Pinnizzotto, President and CEO of the National Deer Association. All new board members will fill three-year terms.

The re-elected Directors include, Dave Behlings, Senior Product Specialist with Kawasaki; Jan Rintamaki, Vice President and General Manager of Polaris Adventures; Christine Jourdain, Executive Director for the American Council of Snowmobile Associations; and Brad Franklin, Government Relations Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation.

To read full biographies on the Tread Lightly! Board of Directors visit https://treadlightly.org/meet-the-team/board-of-directors/
.

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Car Radio Show 910AM Detroit, January 29, 2022

Host: Henry Payne, The Detroit News

Interview Schedule

00 min: Payne intro

05-15 min: Olly Gavin, ex-Corvette race driver. Talking Rolex 24 at Daytona.

15-18: Ad break

20-30: Tom Zielinski, CEO Detroit 4fest. Talking Bronco Raptor.

The post Car Radio, Podcast 73 – Thomas Zielinski – Bronco Raptor appeared first on Z Performance - Corporate Offroad Event Organizer.

Car Radio 910 AM-Detroit, November 20, 2021

Host: Henry Payne, The Detroit News

Interview Schedule

00 min: Payne intro

05-15 min: Jim Morrison, CEO of Jeep, and Tom Zielinski, CEO of Detroit 4fest. Talking Moab, Utah and Jeeps.

The post Car Radio, Podcast 67, Pts 1/2: Morrison-Zielinski/Moab appeared first on Z Performance - Corporate Offroad Event Organizer.

But that doesn’t mean the fight won’t be brutal.

Days are gone when Jeep owned the segment with little debate.

On Friday, Ford debuted a Ford Expedition Timberline Off-Grid concept that will be featured at the Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, this weekend.

The one-off model is based on the new 2022 Ford Expedition Timberline series touted as “the most off-road-capable Expedition ever” with features including improved ground clearance.

It’s designed to show “a futuristic view” of family adventure, including a mobile basecamp,” Robert Varto, program manager of the concept, said in a Ford news release.

Vehicle accessories “help adventurers confidently trek to hard-to-reach mountainside trailheads, remote lakes and distant desert dunes,” the Dearborn automaker promised.

A popular term now is “overlanding,” which refers to travel by vehicle that goes beyond camping to include exploration of unusual and undiscovered destinations.

‘Going after them’

This rock crawling crowd has money to spend and automakers see dollar signs when adding special tires, wheels, cameras and features, including special tow hooks.

“Jeep is a global icon and it has kind of been king of the hill in off-roading,” said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Cox Automotive. “I think a number of makers have decided Jeep shouldn’t own that hill, so they’re going after them. Off-roading packages certainly generate more revenue and profit because they’re not the base model. And there’s a ready market.”

Fans of off-roading and overland adventure spend thousands of dollars on accessories.

Whether it’s the Toyota 4Runner TRD, Subaru Wilderness, Ford Bronco, Expedition and Explorer — all are coming after Jeep’s lunch money. Even Nissan features “Captain Marvel” actress Brie Larson narrating a TV commercial as a Nissan vehicle drives through the rocks.

It’s all about the vibe.

‘A little miffed’

“Jeep has had phenomenal success over the last decade. Sales have exploded all over the world as it has expanded its model line. It’s stunning that the rest of the industry let it get away with that for so long,” said longtime industry observer John McElroy, host of “Autoline After Hours” podcast and webcast.

“Ford is the first to show up with a credible competitor in the Bronco,” he said. “Jeep is a little miffed they’re finally facing some competition. And there’s more to follow. Nobody knew this whole Jeep brand could grow to be so profitable.”

While Ford has launched Bronco as a direct compete on the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Explorer and Expedition now have Timberline features for off-roading. Explorer is arriving at dealerships now, Expedition in early 2022.

‘Not just marketing’

“I actually feel sorry for (Ford Explorer Timberline) customers that get tricked,” Jim Morrison, Jeep North America president, recently told musclecarsandtrucks.com. “You can paint a tow hook red. It doesn’t mean that behind the tow hook it would even hold up in the right moment that it needs to.”

He also poked fun at the Ford Bronco during the rain-soaked Detroit 4Fest at Holly Oaks in September, noting that sightings of the SUVs with well-known roof issues might be unlikely, musclecarsandtrucks.com noted.

“We design all of those Trail Rated elements from the ground up … it’s not just a marketing term, it’s capability that’s bred in. You don’t just put stickers and paint on things. We build it in with incredible capability,” Morrison said, according to musclecarsandtrucks.com.

A Stellantis spokesperson declined to comment to the Free Press on Thursday.

More:Ford to replace all Bronco hardtops after extreme water changes appearance

More:How Ford will ‘ease the pain’ for Bronco customers facing long wait for vehicle

More:Ford just stopped accepting online reservations for new Bronco: Here’s why

Just about every company these days has a big whiteboard in the planning room with every single Jeep model targeted, McElroy said.

‘So much money’

“Of course, you’ve got a bunch of copycats,” McElroy said. “They’re copying the segment that Jeep is in, not really copying Jeep itself. Jeep got there first. But others will follow because there’s so much money there.”

A basic 2022 Grand Cherokee Laredo starts at $37,390 while the all-wheel-drive 2020 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is $50,275, plus delivery fees, according to Motor1.com. The top of the line Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve is $63,365.

These are the price ranges for off-road vehicles now.

The two-door 2021 Bronco begins at $29,995 for the base model, including destination fees. The four-door 2021 Bronco begins at $34,695 including fees and can be loaded up past $60,000.

Jeep, and Morrison, know the threat is real.

“The question isn’t which one can climb the rocky mountain but which one will have the most sales. That’s what matters most, if Ford can get these customers who are going to buy this big macho off-road truck,” McElroy said. “We know only a fraction will really take them off road.”

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