Four Wheeler Magazine Editors Name
Jeep(R) Wrangler Rubicon Best 4x4 Vehicle of the Decade

• Jeep® brand boasts highest resale value among all domestic brands
• Jeep brand resale value improves for 2010 as industry average declines
• Jeep vehicles projected to retain nearly 36 percent of original retail price after five years of ownership - more than 3 percent above industry average
• Jeep one of only two brands in top 10 with improved resale value for 2010

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Dec 4, 2009  - 

Buy Jeep®, and get value. Including resale value.

The iconic Jeep brand ranks as the top domestic brand in Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com® 2010 Residual Value Study.

According to the annual resale value analysis, new 2010 Jeep brand vehicles will maintain 35.7 percent of their original value after five years of ownership - more than 3 percent above the industry average.

"This achievement is a testament to the strength and heritage of the Jeep brand," said James Bell, Executive Market Analyst - Kelley Blue Book. "The word 'Jeep' has long stood for strength, portraying the vision of what a Jeep is, and what it can do. The Wrangler has, and continues to be the backbone of this marque, drawing a strong and loyal following, helping to maintain its value."

While eight of the brands in the study's top 10 declined versus their 2009 values - with the industry average declining 1.6 percent - the Jeep brand's resale value improved 2.8 percent for 2010.

"We are pleased that the Jeep brand has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book for earning the highest resale value among domestic brands, and that Jeep has improved significantly in a difficult year that has seen the industry decline," said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "The Jeep brand's high resale value is a testament to a legendary, iconic brand that provides consumers an array of SUVs that deliver a unique blend of freedom and adventure, capability, best-in-class claims and value."

Jeep vehicles have always been right-sized, never wasteful and deeply respectful of the environment - traits important to all Jeep owners who share a passion for adventure, fun and freedom in whatever they do. The brand's legendary Go Anywhere, Do Anything? heritage is maintained in the widest range of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) under one brand.

• Jeep Compass is a compact SUV with a modern, urban design that delivers fun, freedom, utility, best-in-class fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon (mpg) and Jeep 4x4 capability at a terrific value
• Jeep Patriot is designed to reach younger buyers wanting the credibility, capability and cachet of the Jeep brand at an affordable price with class-leading fuel economy of 29 mpg. Patriot was recently named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick," and earned the Texas Auto Writers Association's "Compact SUV of Texas" award
• Jeep Liberty offers legendary Trail Rated® Jeep 4x4 capability combined with a new level of on-road refinement and innovative features, including an industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-length open-canvas roof
• Jeep Wrangler, the brand icon, remains true to its heritage as the original, extreme fun-and-freedom machine
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the only four-door convertible SUV on the market with room for five adult passengers
• Jeep Grand Cherokee, the vehicle that revolutionized the SUV market when it was introduced in 1992, continues as the luxury flagship of the brand with its on-road refinement and off-road capability
• Jeep Commander, with seating for seven, delivers a best-in-class off-road driving experience with superior on-road ride and handling
  
  

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov 18, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

- 2010 Jeep(R) Patriot, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010 Dodge Avenger and 2010 Dodge Journey named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks

- Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Journey earn IIHS Top Safety Pick honors two years in a row for both the 2009 and 2010 model years

- Chrysler Group demonstrates continued leadership in occupant protection and overall vehicle engineering capability with almost 15 percent of the total IIHS 2010 Top Safety Picks


Four Chrysler Group LLC vehicles have earned 2010 Top Safety Pick Status. Chrysler Group announced today that the 2010 Dodge Journey, the 2010 Chrysler Sebring when equipped with available Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the 2010 Dodge Avenger when equipped with available ESC and the 2010 Jeep(R) Patriot with available seat mounted air bag, are 2010 Top Safety Picks according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Journey have been awarded IIHS Top Safety Picks for both the 2009 and 2010 model years. The 2010 Jeep Patriot joins the trio in the highest possible rating from the nonprofit research organization.

For the 2010 model year, Chrysler Group products comprise  almost 15 percent of the total vehicles awarded Top Safety Pick status by the IIHS to automakers. The award recognizes automobiles with ESC that perform well in the Institute's front-impact, side-impact, rear-impact and new for 2010, roof-strength evaluations.

"With the addition of the Jeep(R) Patriot, Chrysler Group has received four Top Safety Picks in the 2010 model year -- a great accomplishment for our company," said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President -- Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. "IIHS' recognition of our products underscores Chrysler Group's engineering capability and leadership in occupant protection."

The 2010 Jeep(R) Patriot, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010 Dodge Avenger and 2010 Dodge Journey encompass a two-fold approach to safety -- passive features combined with accident-avoidance features. Available safety and security features on all four vehicles include ESC with traction control, Brake Assist and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), driver and front-passenger active head restraints, front seat-mounted side airbags and advanced multi-stage front airbags.

"Chrysler showed the most improvement of any automaker for 2010," said IIHS President Adrian Lund. "These Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge models are part of an elite group that afford the best overall crash protection and have electronic stability control, which can help keep drivers out of crashes altogether."

 Chrysler Group's four Top Safety Picks all feature the company's new active head restraint system for front-seat occupants. This new system augments the head restraints ability to minimize neck injuries caused by rear-impact accidents. In the event of a rear impact, the head restraints deploy to remove the space between the occupants head and the restraint to help minimize whiplash type injuries.

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Praise for Town & Country from Autoweek

"This van is nothing short of miraculous in its ability to smoothly absorb miles and miles of highway without complaint," observed one editor who took the Town & Country on long road trips, first at break-in and then a year later as it ended its 32,761 miles and 12 months of heavy use. "Every single bit of this van still works like new, from the power doors and liftgates to the electronics systems, and from the triple-zone air conditioning to the Swivel'N Go seats, he noted.

The Autoweek staff didn't start out as fans of the minivan, but soon learned that they have much merit and declared that the Town & Country made them believers in Chrysler quality and Technology. "For a while there, I might have recommended the Honda or Toyota over the Chrysler, but not now," remarked one staffer.

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The all-new Dodge Ram 1500 earned top honors in Edmunds' Inside Line head-to-head competition of full-size pickup trucks. The Dodge Ram 1500 beat the 2009 Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

"After all the points were tallied, the Dodge Ram takes the win with a very well-rounded performance," wrote Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing, Edmunds.com. "The optional RamBox proved itself useful by swallowing 85 pounds of greasy trailer hitch parts in its lockable bins, and its repositionable bed divider is easily the best of its kind."

 Capability testing was conducted over two weeks of day-to-day use and included tow-testing, off-road driving and hill climbing. All test vehicles were crew cabs and included sunroof, navigation system and other convenience features. Trucks were tested against their claimed tow capacity, as well as a fixed-weight face-off in which each truck pulled an identical trailer up a test mountain.

"We knew from previous experience that the Ram's coil-spring rear suspension works well when the truck is unloaded, but this time we found it has the chops to handle a trailer, too,? wrote Edmunds' Inside Line. ?The Dodge Ram impresses us with a solid performance, an understated ability to tow the socks off some others, a feature-laden presentation and rugged good looks."

"Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is the best truck ever built," said Scott Kunselman -- Vice President Jeep/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "It is a game-changing, class-leading truck that is second to none. We are glad Edmunds' Inside Line agrees."

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram features the industry's first-and-only RamBox(tm) cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats.

The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle that provides ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) improve fuel economy and performance.

 In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes a first-in-segment, factory-installed four-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins, twice as many storage spots than the previous model and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard safety features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with a segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV(tm) round out the interior.

Other premium amenities include first-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats, available heated rear seats, first-for-Chrysler heated steering wheel, one-touch up/down driver and passenger windows, automatic-on headlamps and dual-zone automatic temperature control--a first for Dodge Ram.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government's safety crash test program.

The all-new Dodge Ram earned a place on Ward's distinguished list of winners, taking home the "2009 Interior of the Year" award in the popular-priced truck category. The all-new Dodge Ram has won 15 awards since its introduction.

"From the big, chunky knobs on the dashboard to the in-floor storage bins and the folding second-row seats, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram reminds us that big trucks can be rugged, function and cool, all at the same time," says Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward's AutoWorld magazine. "The editors find the Dodge Ram's new interior extremely comfortable and well-conceived," Murphy said. "The saddle stitching on the seats and instrument panel make a wonderful styling statement, as do the upscale instrument gauges."

In addition to winning Ward's "Interior of the  Year," the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram has earned 14 other key awards since it's introduction and was recently chosen by Car and Driver as the best full-size pickup in a head-to-head comparison test in Texas, beating the new 2009 Ford F-150. Other key awards include:

• Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association -- Truck of the Year
• New England Motor Press Asssociation -- Best in Class Pickup Award
• MotorWeek -- Best Pickup Truck
• Consumer Guide -- Large Pickup -- Best Buy for 2009
• Cars.com -- Work Truck of the Year
• ICOTY -- 2009 International Truck of the Year
• Truckin' Magazine -- Truck of the Year
• Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) -- 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas
• Edmunds.com -- Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
• Autobytel.com -- 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards - Truck of the Year
• Maxim -- Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
• Ward's AutoWorld -- Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (5.7L Hemi)
• Automobile Journalists Association of Canada -- Best New Pickup
• Sobre Ruedas -- Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08
  
  

 The Dodge Grand Caravan Wins the 
 2009 J.D. Power Reliability Award!!

To provide both auto industry and consumer audiences insights into the long-term reliability of today's new vehicles, the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study^SM (VDS) focuses on problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old vehicles.

(2006 model-year vehicles). The study is used extensively by the world's auto manufacturers to help design and build better vehicles--which typically retain higher resale values--and by consumers to help make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicles.

The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study provides information gathered from over 46,000 original owners. Performance is measured using a "problems per 100 vehicles (PP100)" metric. A lower PP100 score indicates better performance and a higher PP100 score indicates worse performance. Among the 12 models in the Van segment, the Caravan/Grand Caravan achieves an index score of 153 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles), compared to the segment average of 196 PP100--a difference of 43 PP100. The 2009 study covers a total of 202 total problems, broken out into eight major problem categories as follows:

• Exterior
• The Driving Experience
• Features/Controls/Displays
• Audio/Entertainment/Navigation
• Seats
• HVAC
• Interior
• Engine/Transmission

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Chrysler Town & Country Wins 2009
R.L. Polk Owner Loyalty Award

Chrysler Town and Country Polk Automotive Loyalty Award winner for eight straight years, number one in minivan segment customer loyalty.*
 
R.L. Polk has recognized the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country as Polk Automotive Loyalty winner for the minivan category. This is the eighth straight year Chrysler Town & Country has been in this position. The award is based on MY owner repurchase data compiled by Polk.

*Based on 2001-2008 R. L. Polk & Co. model-year owner repurchase rates.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Wins 2009
R.L. Polk Automotive Loyalty Award

Jeep Grand Cherokee wins Polk Automotive Loyalty Award--number one in mid-size SUV segment customer loyalty.*
 
R.L. Polk has recognized the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee as Polk Automotive Loyalty winner for the mid-size SUV category. The award is based on MY owner repurchase data compiled by Polk.

*Based on 2001-2008 R. L. Polk & Co. model-year owner repurchase rates.

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Jeep Patriot Wins 2009 Top Safety Award

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has awarded the Jeep Patriot the top rating of "good" for its ability to withstand roof damage in rollover accidents.

It was the first time the safety watchdog group, which is funded by the insurance industry, has released vehicle ratings based on a new roof strength rating system. Only four of the twelve SUVs tested achieved this rating, which requires a vehicle to have a roof that can withstand a force of four times its weight before the roof crushes in by five inches.

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2009 Jeep Patriot is Least Expensive SUV to Own

Edmunds.com declares the Jeep Patriot as the least expensive SUV to own.

The company based their results on projected model-specific average vehicle ownership costs, consisting of depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance and repairs. The data is based on a five-year period of ownership.

"Even though gas prices are high, some consumers are still in search of a sport utility vehicle to meet their needs," said Jesse Toprak, Executive Director of Industry Analysis, Edmunds.com. "For those consumers, vehicles like the Jeep Patriot are relative bargains in their segments."

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For the second year in a row, Chrysler Town & Country won the Motorweek's Driver's Choice Award for "Best Minivan". Winners are selected based on performance, technology, practicality and dollar value.

Town & Country also picked up the 2009 Active Lifestyle Vehicle award for Best Minivan. The award is based on many categories that fit an active lifestyle, including handling, cargo space, towing capacity and more.*

*Active Lifestyle Vehicle and logo are service marks of The Active Network, Inc.