Crosslander

[The BN Guy]

Anyone heard of this...

http://www.crosslander4x4.com/index.php

I've been keeping up with this thing for over a year now. Looks like it will be coming to the US very soon. Late 2005. Nice lil engine, a solid axle, decent interior...looks promising. Oh, and a dang good price - 17k to 22k.

[Brian McVickers]

It looks like a mini LR Defender.
At the price you listed it would definitely deserve a closer look and a test drive. Looks like they will have four dealership in Arizona. Sure would like to see more pics, the website only had about 5.

[Scott Brady]

This vehicle has been off-and-on for over 10 years. Now they are having to fight federal safety regulations for airbags, side impact beams, etc.

[bluerunner]

Yup, thats why he's a SUPER MODERATOR!!! :D

[datrupr]

The Crosslanders are pretty cool, though a bit on the basic side in terms of design, maybe that's why I like it. I am not sure if the government will let them in with out all the "proper" safety equipment on them. I know I read I think on 4wdtrips that they are negotiating or increasing the wieght to get around these obsticals, but I have not heard anything new as of yet. I also am not real keen on the underpowered Ford V6. But I still would not mind to have one. And the price for a brand new truck can not be beat.

[Nullifier]

My good friend Mike Lokey has a shop called Lokey Cross Lander. He has started a great 4x4 shop that caters to the tripping market. He is one of several aticipating crosslander dealer around the U.S. here is a link. He actually carries all the goodies in stock from ARB, pull pal hi lift, lightforce camping trailers and more. Good shop and great all around outdoorsman. He has had his defender up to alaska and spent 2 years touring out west.

Lokey crosslander (http://www.lokeycrosslander.com/) You can see his yello defender in some of the show room pictures.

[The BN Guy]

Gotta love the Defender! Love those trailers too.

[kcowyo]

I have good friend too who has a Crosslander dealership (http://www.wycrosslander.com/), and he has been patiently awaiting their arrival for several years.

The concept was interesting when they initially had a small diesel motor planned for the Crosslander, priced under $20K. Since they have changed to using the same V6 as in the Ford Explorer, well....I'm not as interested as I once was. :(

I don't think my friend is considering getting rid of his Landcruiser (http://cod4x4.com/club.cfm?clubID=10023) for one, even at cost, anymore either.

[datrupr]

A deisel in this would make it almost perfect for the price. The Ford 4.0 V6 is very anemic, and I think the truck will prove too heavy to give it any good performance #'s. I am not a big fan of the 4.0 6 that is in the Explorer's and Rangers.

[Nullifier]

Man it's funny how you guys don't like the v-6. I have a ranger as my daily with that motor. it has plenty of power and I have over 230k on it with no issues. Hell not even a leak. I also have several friends with fords that run that engine. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about it. Sure it could have more power but that would mean more expense for the crosslander. I just can;t imagine a 6 with more power then the ford unless you are talking super/turbo engines. That engine is strong and reliable and great part availability IMO LOL

[kevin]

The ford 4.0L is a strong and reliable engine, but perhaps outdated technology.
I belive it produces 207hp and 238foot-pounds of tourqe. A 3.5L Kia produces
193hp and 294foot-pounds of tourqe!! The 4.0L just does not produce enough power per litre IMO. It is however a great engine for durability and service as you mentioned.

[Nullifier]

Well I talked to my friend Mike who owns a crosslander dealership. He said that things have all been worked out and he is expecting his first delivery either late december or early January. He just a call this week so it won't be much longer. :jump:

[gjackson]

I was disappointed that they killed the diesel as well. It was going to be the new powerstroke 2.8L version of the Land Rover 300tdi made by International in Brazil. It is a fantastic engine! If they brought them in I was considering changing out my 300 for that engine, but alas. . .

You can still get the 2.8 over here and I know several people who have put them in Discoveries and Defenders, but they are pretty pricey!! East Coast Rovers puts them in:
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/Tdiconversions.html

And 277ft/lb of torque is stunning for an engine that size!!

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

[flyingwil]

Hmmm. The crosslander will be interesting... It seems to be a Romainian vehicle, and I think this thread is in the wrong folder.

It seems to a decent vehicle in direct competition with Rover. I think it will have a hard start-up similar to that of DaeWoo. The waranty will ultimate make or break the sales of the vehicle IMO. Americans are picky, and many may see drawback such as parts availability and unknown reliability issues. Just think of what the 19 year old guy at the parts store would say when you ask for a new air filter for a 2006 Crosslander, most of them have problems with my Toyota and I just tell them my part # as it is.

It definately has it pro's. But I also think it might be marketed to the wrong group, similar to the H2's, where most may never leave the road. It will also be interesting to hear what the Public will call it. My first thought was a Rover knock off, but I have to keep an open mind. It also seems a bit out dated for eye appeal (Boxy, no Carpet), however the price might appeal to others... looks like the tentative MSRP is from $17,865 to $22,300.

http://www.chapmancrosslander.com/images/big/n4.jpg
http://www.chapmancrosslander.com/images/big/n7.jpg
http://www.chapmancrosslander.com/images/big/n8.jpg

Notice the leak in the last one? Might not be a good thing to post up on a dealership website as their first one.

They seem to be marketing it for the off-road crowd, but yet they don't offer lockers? It would also be nice with a solid axle in the front.

Wil

[kcowyo]

I've got a couple of pics from that franchise owners part/unveiling in FL earlier this year too. The original concept looked like a little Defender 90 (to me), but the latest looks more like an older model Trooper, H3, Jeep Commander, et al.

I have nothing against Ford's 4.0, but when they were talking about using a diesel motor with it outfitted to the moon for under $20K, I was excited. Now with a gas motor, it's just another overpriced boxy SUV that cried wolf. :smilies27

[Scott Brady]

It looks alot like an FJ60 and G-wagon smooched together. Not too bad though. I would certainly check one out :)

[pangaea]

It looks alot like an FJ60 and G-wagon smooched together. Not too bad though. I would certainly check one out :)

Funny, I thought it looked like the b*st*rd love child of a Defender 110 and a Jeep Wagoneer.

[BMAN]

Any new news? I have been patiently waiting to check one out since originally promised in '02. I have, while waiting, purchased and gotten rid of an '04 Sequoia and purchased and nearly built an '85 LC 60 series.

I't's been a long time coming and Believe it or not I'm still interested. Guess I a glutton for punishment.

[flyingwil]

It's odd... their wesite (http://www.crosslander4x4.com/) says more info coming soon, and other sites say Early 2006 now.

[Exrunner]

Man, I know you guys hate that engine, but my dad had a ranger forever, and that think kicked....no it wasnt a rocket off the start line, but it had grunt. I agree with Nullifier on this...Also, I guess Im used to not haveing tons of highway power with my 3.slow in my 4runner. But at the same time, the 3.0 has more than enough power and torque offroad, which is where I want it to be. I could care less about the highway. I love this thing, and if I had the money, Id be all over it....the fact that it doesnt have carpet is also a plus to me...easier to clean:p anyway...thats my thinkin.

[BMAN]

Truth is... I dig this thing. I really can't wait to get my *** in one for some test drivin'. We traded in the wifes Sequoia about 5 months ago for an Audi A6 and for the past month she's been dropping truck hints all over me. The problem is that we drive close to 600 miles a week commuting (we carpool) and the 13MPG the Sequoia got vs. 22-24mpg we get in the Audi just isn't even fair. Now if I could score abou 20 avg with one of these... I might...uh...uhm, SHE might have herself a new daily driver. Wink Wink

[datrupr]

I think they are kinda cool, it would be interesting to see them up close and personal. I do hope they get past all of the red tape B.S. and are able to imopt and sell them soon. I would not mind to check one out myself.

[LUISJG]

looks like they will never come.. check the website

[flyingwil]

That's Odd... I live very close to the GM Desert Proving grounds and swear I saw on on the street! I see plenty of test vehicle drive by... I wonder if they were testing one out at the GM Testing Grounds?

[jrsteffes]

Here is one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160060412953&fromMakeTrack=true

[Scott Brady]

CROSS LANDER TO FILE A DISPUTE AGAINST THE COUNTRY OF ROMANIA
PURSUANT TO THE BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY
BETWEEN ROMANIA AND THE UNITED STATES

Miami, Florida, March 30, 2006 —Cross Lander USA announced today its intent to file a dispute against the country of Romania pursuant to the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Romania and the United States. Cross Lander took this action after coming to the conclusion it had no viable alternative left to protect its interest on the investment made in the Aro automotive factory in Campulung, Romania.

From the beginning of this business venture Cross Lander contends that it has been subjected to a continuous barrage of attacks. The alleged opponents include former and active officials of the Romanian government, former head of internal security, AVAS officials and sensationalist reporters.

These individuals have reportedly combined efforts to discredit Cross Lander and wrestle away its control of the Aro factory. At the same time, instead of promoting the success of the privatization venture, AVAS and its officials involved in this web of corruption failed to carry out its obligation under the privatization agreement, including the cancellation of a 47 million U.S. dollar budgetary debt.

For quite some time, Cross Lander has abstained from commencing the dispute process in hopes that negotiations with AVAS would be successful. Unfortunately, Cross Lander has determined that further efforts outside of the framework of the Bilateral Investment Treaty provisions would be futile.

Cross Lander executives are very disappointed that this action has been deemed necessary and state that they have done everything to make their agreement and large investment in Romania a success, not only for their company, but also for the country and the people who were employed by Cross Lander. “This is truly a sad day but we had no alternatives for our investors. There are such great opportunities in Romania but, in our opinion, their government is not ready for the world of business as we know it in America,” stated John A. Perez, CEO.

Cross Lander has also announced the official change of its name from Cross Lander to Global Vehicles U.S.A. Incorporated. The company and its charter will stay the same. Only the name will change. The registered brand name "Cross Lander" will be kept by the company for branding future products entering the U.S. market under their umbrella.

Based on Global's future plans, the company will be moving its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia this summer. This will allow the company to expand their future business plans. There will be more on this exciting announcement to come in the near future.

Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. is aggressively seeking exclusive market and sales relations with several international manufacturers wishing to enter the U.S. market. It is Global's intent to exclusively represent an international automotive manufacturer in the U.S. market that possesses very high integrity and appreciates the values of our U.S. network of 150 dealers.

I am one of those 150 dealer that are sad that the Cross Lander is not comming to the USA. The Cross Lander that I am selling is one of two show vehicles that were displayed in Florida at the dealer show. The pictures I took on the beach were from that show. Vehicle number two (the white one) has been shipped to the Bahamas and belongs to an executive that keeps it at his house on the island. Vehicle number one (the silver one) is located at the headquarters in Georgia. I will ship this Cross Lander from Georgia to your overseas location. We can ship it to Mexico, South America, The Carribean anywhere you want it shipped.

This vehicle was imported under “TIB” (Temporary Importation Bond), thus we do not have title, certificate of origin, or Customs Declaration. We are restricted by NHTSA and EPA as to how we dispose of the vehicle. This is why it must be exported from the United States.

[kcowyo]

"Buy it now for $25K!"

The original idea of the Cross Lander was to have a uber equipped SUV, with a diesel engine for under $20K. Sadly, the initial hype was the best thing that came out of this company.

Now the concept and Cross Lander are dead. Has been for several months. I've kept a close eye out on the press releases and company news through a friend here who was the WY dealer for Cross Landers. I have some pics from that Florida demo show as well. The dealerships who invested in this farce really took it in the shorts on this one.

[Nullifier]

Miek had a dealership set up and they lost I'm sure. I was loking forward to it to bad.

[AZ_Husker]

This is not surprising nor upsetting to tell you the truth. We aren't going to be missing anything. Anything from the old Soviet-block nations is going to have dismal reliability, workmanship, parts availability, and customer service. What we need is Toyota to bring something similar here to the U.S. Something sripped down and with solid axles and a maximum price of $25,000 with lockers.:victory:

[gjackson]

Woulsn't it be too cool if these guys went after Santana and started bringing them in?! Same 2.8 as the diesel Cross Lander was supposed to have!

[CLynn85]

Are the Santana trucks based on an old leaf sprung rover chassis or is that a unique chassis and they're just still using the rover body tooling?

I like the Military version myself:
http://4x4-vehicles-ltd.com/pix/diashow/santana_ps10pickup_military_1a.jpg

[gary in ohio]

I had such high hopes for the cross lander. Low price, function over form vehicle that is missing in the US. Stopped by the local dealer and visited the web site for almost a year. Then to find out the law suits and legal issues back in Romania. What a let down. I guess my only hope now is Mahindra brings in a Marshal,Bolero, CL, MM or maybe a little Scorpio diesel.

[gjackson]

Are the Santana trucks based on an old leaf sprung rover chassis or is that a unique chassis and they're just still using the rover body tooling?

Still based on the Land Rover. They used to have Land Rover factory support. When they went their own way they started designing their own stuff. They have a very strong 5-speed box, parabolic springs, the International 2.8 powerstroke etc etc. They are also selectable 4x4 rather than fulltime 4x4 like the Defender.

I've never driven one or heard any stats on reliability/build quality etc. But if you ever travel in Western Sahara you will see the old series III generation Santanas everywhere. Most look like they have driven to hell, but are still going.

cheers

[Diesel Joe]

I dont know how you could NOT question the quality of that thing..... Eastern European stuff is not made well. I know, Ive been there many times and seen their stuff. What I'd like to see are D90's and D110 with turb diesels sold here in the US.