Article Surfing Archive

The Rodedawg may pay homage to the original Amphicar produced by Germany in the 1960s, but that's where the similarity ends. If anything, the hulking amphibious 4x4 off-road vehicle is an Amphicar on steroids. And, after the U.S. approves the Rodedawg (www.rodedawg.com) for off-road use at year's end, Americans who want to run with the big *dawgs* will be Rodedawgin* over mountains and through rivers.

Currently available in Mexico and Nicaragua, the Rodedawg is the vision of Luis Pallais, Commercial Attach* to the Nicaraguan Consul General's Office in San Francisco, and an automotive industry veteran. After catching a glimpse in a Beijing military warehouse of the amphibious off-road vehicle that would later become the Rodedawg, Pallais was smitten.

*I never saw a vehicle that caught my eye as much as this one did, and frankly, I fell in love with it,* he said. *I immediately knew that its appeal and functionality was broad enough to engage both governments and consumers.*

Rodedawg International Industries, Inc., which owns the trademark rights to the brand name *Rodedawg* in many countries around the globe, is currently in negotiations with the Dominican Republic National Police and Nicaragua's armed forces to purchase the amphibious vehicle. He foresees marketing the vehicle to U.S. federal and state agencies, as well as the military. *In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Rodedawg would have been a perfect fit for search and rescue operations,* said Pallais. *Pre-positioning Rodedawgs in the vicinity of potential disaster areas would save valuable time and translate into saving lives.*

When the Rodedawg bursts onto the U.S. scene early next year, it will set tails wagging among the off-road crowd. With a four-cylinder, 2.77 liter Isuzu 4JB1 turbocharged diesel engine, the Rodedawg 4x4 will be offered in three models: a convertible, a truck, and an SUV. Each model can be custom fitted to the customer's specifications, although standard models come equipped with plush interiors and features designed for a comfortable ride in even the most rugged terrain * at about half the cost of a Hummer.

For water travel, the Rodedawg is driven by a rear propeller attached to the PTO shaft. During amphibious operation, the vehicle can reach six to eight miles per hour and has a turning diameter of 66 feet. On land, the Rodedawg can handle a 44 percent incline with ease.

With fuel efficiency rated at 25 miles per gallon and a sticker price of just $49,000, the Rodedawg will jump over the competition to become leader of the pack. *As a recreational vehicle for boating, hunting, fishing, or simply exploring, the Rodedawg is unparalleled,* said Pallais.