Camp Jeep

Camp Jeep South Africa is a new three-day gathering exclusively for Jeep owners and their families from across South Africa and will complement the Jeep Experience on an annual basis. This year's event takes place from May 28-30, 2004.

"Jeep pioneered Customer Relationship Marketing events of this nature when we introduced The Jeep Experience to the South African consumer three and a half years ago," explains Guy Franken, Chrysler and Jeep Marketing Manager at DaimlerChrysler South Africa.

"During this time, more than 18 000 people enjoyed Jeep Experience hospitality and fun, and more than 6000 potential customers had the opportunity to evaluate why Jeep has become a byword for 4x4 prowess.

"To capitalise on the success of The Jeep Experience road show events, DaimlerChrysler is once again forging a new CRM path with the introduction of Camp Jeep - an exclusive weekend breakaway by special invitation to existing Jeep owners and their immediate families," he continues.

"Based on the popular Camp Jeep owner loyalty programme that's hosted more 70 000 people in the United States over the past 10 years, this event is partly to thank our valued patrons for their custom, but it's mostly to have a blast in a way that only Jeep can."

Hosted at Mabalingwe near Bela Bela, home to the Big Five and the now famous Castrol Bush Bar, the Jeep owners' only obligation is to pay for the accommodation that best suits their individual lifestyles - ranging from five-star luxury chalets to caravan and campsites. In the spirit of Jeep camaraderie, all meals and refreshments are free of charge.

Activities for Jeep owners on this special weekend include a host of family-focussed events such as abseiling, quad bike riding, archery, bird watching, horse riding, and astronomy, bush and GPS navigation lectures. But most importantly, participants will also get to test the go-anywhere, do-anything capabilities of their vehicles - and themselves - in a unique and scenic environment and share their experiences with other Jeep enthusiasts.

Renowned Jeep off-road specialist, Webb Arnold from Colorado, has developed a special Jeep Trail Rated 4x4 course especially for Camp Jeep South Africa 2004. Arnold has been instrumental in the construction of the well-known Jeep 101 off-road courses held at the US Camp Jeep events, as well as developing and co-ordinating off-road trails for Jeep Jamborees and Jeep Treks in more than 20 countries across the world.

In conjunction with Douw de Boer of the Zwartkops Off-Road Academy, Arnold has developed a special 4x4 course designed to highlight the Trail Rated capabilities of every Jeep vehicle, namely Traction, Ground Clearance, Manoeuvrability, Articulation and Water Fording.

Camp Jeep South Africa will also house a display of Mopar accessories for Jeep vehicles and showcase live entertainment every evening, while the DaimlerChrysler Collection boutique store will sell Musgrave Agency's full range of Jeep clothing, merchandise and sunglasses.

"At Camp Jeep, our owners are able to live life in a Jeep vehicle like they never before imagined. They can learn more about the amazing capabilities of a Jeep, meet great people and have fun with their families. Most of all, they experience personally, in every aspect, why the Jeep way of life has become legendary," concludes Trent Barcroft, Chrysler and Jeep Divisional Manager at DCSA.

"Undoubtedly, Camp Jeep is going to grow into a "must-do" event for our owners and enthusiasts across South Africa. This inaugural Camp Jeep is already a sell-out success with absolutely no more places available. The fact that our customers have responded so positively is testimony to their passion for the Jeep brand and the go-anywhere, do-anything lifestyle South Africa's best-selling SUV vehicle represents."