by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
Crew Chief. J6. Roundup. Jeepster. Five-Quarter.
Over the years, Jeep has brought all kinds of unique and eye-catching concept vehicles out to Moab, Utah for the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
But while EJS is still a go this April, those Jeep concepts usually adorning the Walker Drug parking lot just off Hwy 191 in Moab will be staying put in Michigan. As will Jeep itself.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Friday announced it is pulling out of EJS this year, joining a growing list of vendors who are not making the trip into Moab in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Warn and Truck Hero also announced they are skipping EJS this year.
Utah’s recent State of Emergency declaration recommends limiting gatherings statewide to 100 people, which prompted Red Rock 4-Wheelers to cancel the EJS vendor expo, as well as Quadratec’s BBQ earlier this week.
According to the RR4W website, all trail rides during EJS will still go on as planned.
FCA employees have already been under a non-essential domestic and international travel ban, but EJS had been exempt from that restriction until Friday.
Jeep has been a major participant at EJS for many years, and normally uses the event as a showcase for popular one-of-a-kind concept builds, instructional trail rides and a launch point to announce new production vehicles.
The automaker did say it still plans to unveil all its 2020 concept vehicles at some point this year, but has not yet decided what event or venue to use. With the upcoming New York International Auto Show also shuttered, Jeep could choose to make a digital release of the concepts, or perhaps unveil them during June's North American International Auto Show in Detroit—assuming that event is not nixed.
The 2020 EJS event runs April 4-12.
