The sheer bare-faced jeep of it

The Diary is always on the look-out for a bit of clever, tactical advertising. So a slap on the back to Chrysler for a cheeky bit of activity at this year’s International Motor Show in Birmingham.

Fed-up with other manufacturers muscling in on its 4×4 Jeep’s market, Chrysler thought it would attempt to see off yet another new entrant.

Lexus unveiled its luxury off-roader – the RX300 – at the show, so Chrysler took this opportunity to stick up a poster of its new Grand Cherokee facing the Lexus stand.

The headline said: “Beware of imitations”, making reference to Jeep’s 60th Anniversary this year. Okay, guys, you can down handbags now.