Several years ago, forum member skramer530 started a thread asking if the JK killed the “Jeep Wave.” Sadly, many of you reported that upon giving the salute to fellow Jeep drivers on the road, you didn’t receive one in return.
I have good news, though. The “Jeep Wave” is still around…but it now comes in two forms: the traditional gesture and a customer support program through Jeep.
According to Allpar, participants in the latter will get such perks as a dedicated toll-free service/customer support hotline number, two complimentary oil changes/tire rotations per year of membership in the Mopar Vehicle Protection (MVP) plan that’s part of the Jeep Wave program, VIP treatment at Jeep events, a free loaner vehicle when their Jeep is in for maintenance, and up to $1,000 in insurance coverage of an interrupted road trip (lodging, meals, and emergency transportation).
The “Jeep Wave” will soon wash over dealerships everywhere. Buyers of 2016 Grand Cherokee Summit, Overland, and SRT models will automatically be enrolled in the program, as will those who purchase 2016 Wranglers and Cherokee and Renegade Trailhawks. Owners of 2015 or newer Jeeps can buy into the Jeep Wave’s benefits; “other Jeep® vehicle owners may be enrolled by FCA into Jeep® Wave on a case-by-case basis.”
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
