Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) — Marc Ward, an avid Land Rover enthusiast from Barbados, launched his auction just ten days ago with high hopes of making eBay history, since it featured one of the most unusual high-value items ever offered on the world�s most popular auction site. The high-end eBay auction item was for a custom-built Dakar racing team, featuring a Drew Bowler TomCat racer. (See the original Press Release here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/6/inktomi398031.htm

The auction was generating a lot of excitement, with over 7,000 visitors and several high bids. Marc was looking forward to the final day of the auction when the action would really get hot. One day a PayPal promotion appeared in the auction in the form of a �Seller Addition.� Since Marc doesn�t use PayPal, he asked eBay to remove it. Instead, eBay employees thought their own PayPal promotion was a third-party security breach - they apparently didn�t remember that PayPal does this normally. Despite several assertions that it was not a security breach, eBay employees de-listed the auction. In the end they admitted that it was a mistake � and allowed the auction to be re-listed (go to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4653966446&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT.

Though eBay is the biggest target for auction fraud, that is still only a small percentage of all online fraud. eBay however, seems inclined to err on the side of caution. Online fraud includes:

� Misrepresentation: The merchandise ISN’T what iwaqs represented in the auction description.
� Failure to ship: The seller takes your money and runs.
� Failure to pay: The use of fake money orders, bounced checks, stolen credit cards, or a number of other techniques, the to get the goods without actually paying for them.
� Shilling: Artificially inflating the price on an item by use of fake bids from phony user IDs or accomplices
� Bid Shielding: Using high bids from phony accounts to run up the price and scare off potential buyers, the actual bidder then retracts the higher bids, getting the item at a much lower price.
� Piracy and counterfeiting: The sale of pirated music and software or counterfeit art, phony jewelry or gems, and forged collectibles.
� Internet Fencing: Selling stolen goods through the auction.
� Triangulation: The seller offers to send you the item (usually new, brand name goods) on approval. They then use stolen credit cards to order the item shipped to you. You pay for the goods (in cash) after receiving them, and get a visit shortly thereafter from the police.
� Credit card fraud and theft.
� “Buy and Switch”: The buyer gets the merchandise and returns a similar item that has been damaged, or a fake, with the claim, “It isn’t what I expected.” The seller refunds their money, and is left with broken and unsaleable product.
� Fee stacking: Fees, usually “related” to shipping costs, are added to the cost after the sale has been made.
� False Loss or Damage Claims: Often these claims are a result of the buy and switch, or careless handling by the buyer.
� Shell Auctions: No merchandise exists. The sole purpose of the auction is to get money or credit card numbers from unwary buyers.

You can see Marc’s vehicles, with detailed specifications and high-resolution photographs, at:
http://xtremelandrover.com

The JKOM racing series is part of the World Mountain Biking Championship series.

If you ever enjoyed flying down a hill flat out on your bike when you were a kid, this will be sure to entertain - even if you’re just watching.

The 2006 season looks like this so far:

The 2006 season will again include three major events, current plans include:

Beaver Creek, CO
September 2, 2006
CBS Sports - October 8, 5-6 PM

Basically the rules are as follows:

The “Y” Format

The balance of the field - two men and two women will qualify for each event allowing these wildcard entrants a chance to compete against the best of the best for a shot at the coveted title.

OK - looks like a lot of downhill, high-speed, hang-on-for-dear-life type stuff to me. …and you might win a Compass. Grateful as I’m sure the winner will be, perhaps the new 4-door Wrangler in Rubicon flavour would be more fitting for someone with balls of steel - no matter their sex…

The Land Rover Discovery 3 has scooped an Auto Express New Car Honour - in the 4×4 Off-Roader category - for the second year running, beating off tougher competition than ever.

To claim the 2006 New Car Honour, the Discovery 3 defeated stiff opposition from the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. With a highly acclaimed TDV6 2.7 litre diesel engine, spacious seven-seat layout and plentiful storage, the Discovery 3 is an agile and practical offering on-road whilst off-road technology such as Terrain Response�, Hill Descent Control and Electronic Traction Control makes it unbeatable off-road too.

Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns commented: “Whether towing, mountain climbing, family carrying or simply taking the sting out of the daily commute, Land Rover�s Discovery never fails to impress us. Champion for the second year in a row, the big Brit has an unmatched range of abilities that sets it apart from every other car in the class.”

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director added: “It’’s fantastic that the Discovery 3 has proved yet again its versatility and staying-power in an increasingly competitive sector, with this, it�s 77th award off experts from around the world.”

For further information on the Discovery 3 or to arrange a test drive, log onto www.landrover.co.uk to locate your local Land Rover dealership.

Well, I suppose this is partly “flavor of the month” stuff - once a story goes mainstream, everyone and the wacky bag-lady down the street has a similar story.

I sure hope for DC it really is a case of folks not paying attention - similar claims damn near killed Audi in North America back in the early to mid eighties.

Too bad for Daimler Chrysler, though, these ones are being documented.

“So far this year, it looks like there’s been an average of one every 19 days,” he told PCC Online?. “There been one in Detroit, Milwaukee, a couple in upstate New York.'’

Newman disputed that claim. “If it were operator error, we would have equal rates (of accidents) with other makes and models.'’

Full story available here: http://www.carwash.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=62161

Given they haven’t even unvieled the new land ROver Freelander publically yet, it’s nice to see the undreground taking care of the public’s need to know.

wheels24.co.za

The folks over (or under?) at Wheels24.co.za (South Africa) are ballsy - ignoring legal threats and running with the mantra, “We didn’t do it - first!”

Regardless, it’s a good looking ride which officially doesn’t exist until next month - not nearly as Jay-Leno’s-Chin as the outgoing model.

I know this has nothing to do with Jeeps - and even less to do with Land Rovers and Rangies, but here we go just the same.

If you enjoyed even one scene of the first Jackass movie, you’ll love this trailer:

http://www.jackassmovie.com/movies/trailer.html

I cried just watching the trailer - I know it’s pretty base stuff, but when Johnny Knoxville puts on the blindfold and stands in front of the bull wearing a red shirt - well, two guesses what happened…I damn near peed myself I laughed so hard…

If you thought it was totally dumb and a complete waste of time the first time, you’ll agree again after watching this one - but you will watch it - right?

I mean, who wouldn’t watch a tooth being yanked by a DRAGSTER!?

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jeep(R) has seven models in the 2007 model year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the 65-year history of Jeep vehicles.

“Jeep is the Swiss Army knife of the SUV market,” said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Marketing and Global Communications. “No other automotive manufacturer in the world has the range of sport-utility vehicles that Jeep has. This impressive portfolio of SUVs provides Jeep dealers with an unprecedented opportunity to grow the brand by offering a variety of products that will excite our current customers and attract new ones.”

The expansion of the Jeep brand has taken place in just two years. At the start of 2004, the brand’s trio of tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty — the retail sales leader among mid-size SUVs — and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler (2-door).

In 2005, the Jeep Commander — the first Jeep vehicle with seven-passenger seating — was introduced as a 2006 model. This year, the redesigned Wrangler 2-door was unveiled as a 2007 model. Also debuting this year are three all-new Jeep vehicles: the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass — both of which provide Jeep 4×4 capability along with excellent fuel economy, safety and interior flexibility at a great value, and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first-ever four-door Wrangler. Also for 2007, Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first to offer a diesel engine in the full-size SUV segment and a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use up to an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) to fuel their vehicles.

Overall, sales of Jeep brand vehicles increased 12 percent in 2005 to their highest total since 2000 to 476,532 units, compared with 2004 sales of 427,329 units. Internationally, Jeep brand sales grew 15 percent to 84,019 units in 2005. The positive sales momentum for the Jeep brand has continued during the 2006 calendar year.

Jeep, which is one of the most recognized brands in the world, is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2006. In 1941, the Willys-Overland company delivered to the U.S. Army 1,500 light reconnaissance vehicles called the Willys Quad. Improved vehicles were called the MA and MB, but eventually, those vehicles came to be known as the Jeep. More than 368,000 were built for use during World War II.

Over the years, freedom, authenticity, mastery and the capability to go anywhere have become the hallmarks of the Jeep brand and the basis for its SUV leadership worldwide.

4×4x7 PRODUCT OFFENSIVE EXPANDS JEEP BRAND DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

No typo - that’s 23,500,000 euros for a Range Rover.

Of course, it’s a custom built unit sporting a 400 hp supercharged V8 and a custom paint job. Still not convinced it’s worth the money? It’s got a name, too. Lightening.

Well, it comes with a special accessory…and while we don’t have a pic of the Range Rover, we have a picture of the accessory…

…and here are the specs for this little toy…

THUNDER B is arguably the late Jon Bannenberg�s finest creation. Her sleek lines blended with her metallic silver hull, make her one of the most noticed yachts in the Mediterranean today. She cruises comfortably at 30 knots whilst using a TF40 turbine, which dramatically reduces the time one needs to get to the summer hot spots. The accommodation is for 10 guests in luxuriously appointed cabins. Forward she has a 7m swimming pool, and aft a very generous swim platform.

Length
49.8m / 163ft39in
Year Built
1998
Builder
Oceanfast
Designer
Jon Bannenburg
Beam
8.1m / 26ft57in
Draft
1.4m / 4ft69in
Engines
Please enquire
Cruising Speed
30 knots
Fuel Consumption
Please enquire
Crew
Captain’s
3 x Twins
No of Guests
10
Cabins
Master’s
VIP
3 x Doubles
Recreation
Tenders Novurania 230 hp 6.6m R.I.B. with Yanmar turbo diesel Hamilton jet drive certified for 13 passengers. Custom built in the USA especially for THUNDER B. Centre console, fire extinguisher, flare pack, medical pack, removable 2.2m ski pole Crane Nautical Structures concealed in the Fore deck. Nautical Structures concealed in the passerelle Jet Skis 1x Kawasaki XI sport (stand on) 1 x Kawasaki (ride on) Various water sports equipment Swimming Pool. Once free from the guest tender, the swimming pool situated on the bow can be filled in less than 40minutes. Exercise Jet, Jacuzzi, and 1.8m deep pool surrounded by two large sun beds with sunbrellas

Go ahead, remortgage the house…

AUBURN HILLS — Chrysler Group plans to offer more small-engine versions of its cars and trucks as its U.S. sales decline amid rising fuel prices, the unit’s chief executive officer said Friday.

The automaker plans two new models with standard four-cylinder engines by the end of 2006, CEO Tom LaSorda said in an interview at the unit’s headquarters in Auburn Hills. Chrysler has four such vehicles now. It also may add four-cylinder versions of models that now use only larger engines.

Chrysler’s sales declines have let Toyota Motor Corp. move past it in the past two months for the No. 3 rank in the U.S.

Toyota has benefited from a consumer shift to cars from sport-utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks as average gasoline prices stay near $3 a gallon. Chrysler, like U.S rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., depends more on light-truck sales than Asia-based automakers.

“We’ve seen a shift, and the industry has seen, from trucks into cars, and we haven’t been very good at talking about fuel economy,” said LaSorda, 51.

The automaker may also add a subcompact to compete with new models such as Toyota’s Yaris, LaSorda said. He didn’t give details of which vehicles that now offer only six- or eight-cylinder engines may get four-cylinder versions.

Chrysler’s U.S. sales fell 2.5 percent this year through May, after it was the only U.S.-based automaker to post annual increases in 2004 and 2005. It plans to introduce nine new models in this year’s second half and began meetings this week with U.S. dealers to outline a new marketing strategy.

Offering more small-engine vehicles is part of Chrysler’s efforts to boost sales without having to resort to more incentives such as rebates and discount loans.

LaSorda declined to give details of the new marketing strategy. It comes after Chrysler said this week that it would revamp its sales operations when Senior Vice President Gary Dilts and Vice President Raymond Fisher retire next month. Steven Landry, now head of DaimlerChrysler Canada, and Michael Manley will head the reorganized sales and field operations.

“We’ll come out in early July and surprise the marketplace,” LaSorda said. Asked if the strategy will include additional sales incentives, he said, “I wouldn’t see any major shifts in incentives between now and the end of the year.”

David Healy, a Burnham Securities analyst in Sierra Vista, Arizona, said he expects Chrysler to be the first to revive the employee-discount programs offered by U.S. automakers last year, or to provide no-interest financing on all cars and trucks.

“They may have to at least go with zero interest across the board,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of vehicles that have been on dealer lots a long time and they have to move them.”

Chrysler has used no-interest loans on some vehicles, as well as $1,000 cash for dealers on cars and trucks that have sat on their lots since before Dec. 31. The dealer program ends this month.

As much as 10 percent of the inventory on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers’ lots may be vehicles they’ve had since the end of 2005, according to David Lucas, an analyst at Autodata Corp. in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Sales of the four-cylinder Dodge Caliber small car, introduced in late February, doubled to 12,422 in May from March, its first full month on the market.

Chrysler in the second half is slated to add the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot small SUVs. Both have Chrysler’s new four-cylinder World Engine, made in a new joint-venture plant in Dundee that can make 840,000 engines a year.

* Breakthrough Jeep� vehicle conquers all-new territory
* Jeep Compass’ modern, urban design appeals to new Jeep buyers
* Interior features utility, flexibility and loads of cool innovations
* Value abounds with excellent fuel economy and long list of standard safety features

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 16, 2006 -

The Jeep� brand is expanding into new territory with the 2007 Jeep Compass � an all-new modern-styled compact Jeep that delivers fun, freedom, utility, excellent fuel efficiency and Jeep 4×4 capability at a terrific value. Jeep Compass combines the packaging and functionality of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup.

Compass is the first Jeep vehicle to offer fuel economy near 30 miles per gallon on the highway � fuel-economy numbers not often found on an SUV. Compass also will be the Jeep brand’s first front-wheel-drive-based product with a fully independent suspension for comfortable on-road ride and handling and fun-to-drive characteristics. And with Compass’ starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,985 (including a $560 destination charge), the Jeep brand continues to grow by offering an affordable, modern-styled compact SUV designed to bring new customers to the brand.

“With Compass, Jeep continues to expand globally by offering a fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and affordably priced Jeep vehicle designed to reach youthful customers who may not have previously considered the brand,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President � Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Compass is a new type of Jeep vehicle for non-traditional Jeep buyers. It allows the brand to compete in the fast-growing compact SUV segment, where there is increasing market demand for fuel economy, ride comfort and efficient packaging in an SUV.”

Jeep Compass contributes to the Jeep brand’s global lineup expansion to seven SUVs, including the Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty (Jeep Cherokee outside North America), Jeep Patriot, the legendary Jeep Wrangler and the all-new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door.

The newest Jeep will be available in both Compass and Compass Limited models. Both are available in the United States with front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive capability and will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the third quarter of 2006. Four-wheel-drive models will begin to arrive in volume markets outside North America in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Conquering New Territory
Jeep Compass will compete in the compact SUV segment, which is expected to grow considerably in the next decade, giving the Jeep brand the opportunity to grow with it. Annual compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2005 calendar year was 368,000 units, up from 297,000 units in 2004. The compact SUV segment is expected to almost double to approximately 600,000 units by 2010 and almost triple to more than 814,000 units by 2016.

With the all-new Jeep Compass, Jeep is targeting single or recently married educated professionals in their early 20s to early 40s, who are independent and family-oriented. These U.S. buyers skew female and earn a median income of $60,000. Fifty percent are college educated. Upscale, fashionable and refined items fit their lifestyle. They want a sophisticated and modern vehicle that allows them to break from the routine, and Jeep Compass is designed and engineered to exceed their needs.

A Modern Interpretation of Traditional Jeep Styling
Sleek and sophisticated, the Jeep Compass broadens the global appeal of the Jeep brand by attracting new buyers who may not have previously considered it.

“Jeep Compass is an all-new design statement for Jeep,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President � Design. “Compass fulfills the demands of customers who want a Jeep vehicle that is modern, stylish and refined, but still offers the credibility and characteristics associated with the Jeep brand name.”

Compass features the Jeep brand’s signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel openings. However, there also are several modern design twists that distinguish Compass from traditionally styled Jeep vehicles. The all-new silhouette, with a steeply raked windshield, expressive hood and deep fascia, gives the Jeep Compass its modern, yet capable appearance. The Jeep Compass’ side profile features uniquely sculptured fender forms, delivering a fresh, athletic interpretation of traditional Jeep trapezoidal wheel flares. Standard 17-inch aluminum wheels and available 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad wheels explore Compass’ dual nature: off-road capable and on-road sophistication.

Jeep Utility Built Inside and Out
Jeep Compass’ flexible interior gives buyers the capability to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear. A command-of-the-road seating position gives drivers an added feeling of control. Compass has 39.4 inches of rear seat leg room, 53.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat and 60.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the front passenger seat back and rear seats folded flat.

In addition to interior spaciousness and flexibility, Jeep Compass has many clever and unique interior features available that add functionality not typically found in a compact SUV, including:

* Available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics Premium Sound Group with subwoofer that includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down to face rearward for tailgating and other activities
* Auxiliary audio input jack for MP3 connectivity on standard radio
* Available dual purpose, self-recharging removable interior lamp, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
* Sliding center armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
* Available 115-volt outlet in the center console that can power small electronics
* Available fold-flat front passenger seat that creates a table-like surface for versatility
* Flexible 60/40 fold-flat rear seats with available recline feature
* UltraFloor� durable vinyl load floor that is both removable and washable
* YES Essentials� seat fabric � an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration
* Available navigation system that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology to offer turn-by-turn route guidance with voice instruction, automatic re-route calculation and enough memory to store 100 addresses (late availability)

Jeep 4×4 Capability and Safety
Jeep Compass is the first Jeep vehicle available with both a standard front-wheel-drive system and an available four-wheel-drive system called Freedom Drive I.

Freedom Drive I is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode designed to give drivers year-round assurance, as well as the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use. Freedom Drive I also features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to put Jeep Compass in four-wheel-drive lock mode to handle deeper snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.

Jeep Compass also demonstrates that capability and safety go hand in hand. Standard safety features on all Compass models include:

* Side-curtain air bags
* Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
* Brake Assist
* Electronic Roll Mitigation
* Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with rough-road detection
* Brake Traction Control

Compass’ standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes provide an excellent 60�0 mph dry pavement stopping distance of 127 ft.

Jeep Compass features standard 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-season touring tires. Available all-terrain outlined white letter (OWL) tires also are available and contribute to Compass’ 8.4 inches of ground clearance, a 20.6-degree approach angle, 32-degree departure angle and 21-degree breakover angle. The Jeep Compass Limited model features standard 18-inch aluminum wheels and all-season performance tires. An 18-inch aluminum chrome-clad wheel also is available as an option on the Jeep Compass Limited.

World-class Engineering
The 2007 Jeep Compass’ powertrain delivers world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement.

Compass features a standard 172 horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds. This World Engine produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology not typically available on vehicles sold in the United States in the Compass’ price class.

Jeep Compass also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle and an available Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT2). CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response, precise ratio control and an available AutoStick� feature on the Compass Limited model that allows for manual control with the simulation of six stepped gears. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6 � 8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic transaxle.

A 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine will be available in key diesel markets outside North America.

2007 Jeep Compass Production
Production of the 2007 Jeep Compass began in the second quarter of 2006 at the newly refurbished Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The new 172 horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine that powers the Jeep Compass is built in the state-of-the-art Global Engine Manufacturing Assembly (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Mich.

Jeep Brand
The Jeep brand’s 65-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide versatile, innovative four-wheel-drive vehicles with the introduction of the all-new 2007 Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Jeep brand vehicle sales increased 12 percent in the United States in 2005 to 476,532 units (their highest total since 2000) compared with 2004 sales of 427,329 units.

Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA)
The World Engine is a family of world-class four-cylinder engines produced by GEMA in Dundee, Mich., delivering an exceptional combination of quality, fuel efficiency, refinement and performance. GEMA is owned equally by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. By optimizing the three joint venture partners’ strengths, global economies of scale and the latest practices in flexible teams and machines, GEMA aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant productivity.