2003 Jeep Wrangler Right-hand-drive Postal Unit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 13, 2002; The Chrysler Group introduced the new 2003 Jeep® Wrangler right-hand-drive Postal Unit available beginning December 2002.

"Jeep is the ultimate utilitarian vehicle. When Jeep returned from WWII, it went immediately into government agricultural and postal services. Jeep Wrangler returns to this unique postal market because it demands capability and versatility. As an off-road, four-wheel drive vehicle, Jeep Wrangler can handle the weather and the rough terrain, while still being fun to drive," said Jeff Bell- Vice President Jeep, DaimlerChrysler Corporation.

Available to letter carriers everywhere, the reintroduction of the Postal Jeep is welcome back to this historic segment. The Jeep Dispatcher (DJ3A) was the first Jeep vehicle built for the U.S. Postal service. Based on the Jeep Universal (CJ3A) introduced in 1949, the Jeep Dispatcher was built from 1955- 64 and was equipped with a flat four engine to cut costs. The two-wheel drive Jeep Dispatcher featured a hard top and sliding doors.

The second mail Jeep Dispatcher (DJ5) model, produced from 1965-83, was based on the Jeep CJ5, which endured as a popular vehicle with improvements in power, axles, transmission and seating comfort. Jeep CJ5's exterior styling also featured a rounded body contour.

Prior to the 2003 Jeep Wrangler right-hand-drive announcement, the last Jeep to be sold in the postal segment was the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, which is now discontinued. Jeep 4X4 vehicles are favored by rural letter carriers throughout the country.

While sporting the same signature Jeep grille and round headlamps, as the historic postal Jeep models, the new 2003 Jeep Wrangler has some exterior differences. The Wrangler Postal Unit is a hard top with full metal doors and roll up windows to keep the mail secured, while the interior has a rear removable seat which creates ample space for bulk mail and packages.

Other new standard features of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler Postal Unit include the interior with front cloth seats and dual easy access as well as a flush- mounted AM/FM cassette radio with four speakers. Exterior features a Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axles with Trac-Lok(TM), P215/75R15 Wrangler all-terrain tires, full-face wheels and a full-size spare tire.

Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $20,253 excluding destination $610. This 4.0-liter automatic Jeep Wrangler Postal Unit will be available in all ten colors.

Jeep Wrangler is sold in more than 100 countries. The vehicle is built at DaimlerChrysler's Toledo (Ohio) Stickney Avenue Assembly plant.