AutoPacific Survey Reveals Jeep(R) Liberty and Dodge Challenger Owners Are Driving...

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Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:01am EDT

AutoPacific Survey Reveals Jeep(R) Liberty and Dodge Challenger Owners Are
Driving Their Ideal Vehicle

- Owners say their vehicle is "perfect just the way it is"

- Jeep Liberty earns top honors in the Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle category
for the second year in a row

- Dodge Challenger wins Sporty Car segment

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Chrysler Group LLC vehicles
are on AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle list. According to the survey released
today, owners of the Jeep(R) Liberty and Dodge Challenger say they are driving
a vehicle that meets, or even exceeds, their expectations, meaning those
vehicles are perfect just the way they are. 

"We are very pleased that the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Challenger have won high
praise from their owners. In fact, this is the second year in a row the Jeep
Liberty has earned this honor," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President -
Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. "This study is confirmation that we understand
the needs of our customers, and are designing and building vehicles that they
are proud to own. Because of their positive experience, these consumers become
promoters for our brands and in this difficult market, their endorsement is
priceless." 

According to the survey criteria, an Ideal Vehicle is one that meets owners'
expectations for the product when they acquired it. AutoPacific asked owners
to indicate their desire to change their vehicle in 15 different categories
ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage after
having owned and driven their vehicle for 90 days. The buyers who are happy
with their vehicle just the way it is, the ones least likely to desire change,
are driving their "ideal" vehicle. 

The Jeep Liberty earned top honors in the Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle
category for the second year in a row. It was also recognized as the top rated
vehicle in AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research last month.
The Jeep Liberty has remained a leader in the mid-size SUV market since its
introduction in 2002. All-new from the ground up for the 2008 model year, the
Jeep Liberty continues to offer legendary Trail Rated(R) Jeep 4x4 capability
combined with a new level of on-road refinement and innovative features. 

The Dodge Challenger was the top vehicle in the Sporty Car segment. The
Challenger returned in 2009, nearly 40 years after the debut of the original,
merging the best American muscle-car characteristics -- unmistakable design,
world-class handling, powerful engines and cutting-edge technology -- to
delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. 

AutoPacific, an automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm
which has provided automotive analysis to carmakers since 1986, based its
findings on a just-completed comprehensive survey of more than 25,000
consumers who purchased or leased new cars or light trucks in the period from
September to December 2008. 

About the Dodge Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a
full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and a sales-leading,
fifth-generation minivan in 2009. Dodge will soon add to its award-winning Ram
lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy
Duty trucks.

Dodge introduced several new vehicles last year, including the all-new 2009
Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also
celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year.
With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12
million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler LLC has solidified its
leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the
mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the
previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel
economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment
to feature the all-new Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance
safety systems. 

Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North
America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the
highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008. 

About the Jeep Brand
Staying true to its strong values and character, the Jeep(R) brand is
purpose-built for adventurous lifestyles. With 68 years of legendary 4x4
capability, the Jeep brand continues to fulfill promises of adventure,
liberation and independence for those who truly embrace life, whether
traveling on- or off-road. The ruggedness and responsiveness of Jeep vehicles
provide owners with a sense of security to handle any situation with
confidence. 

For 2009, the brand's legendary Go Anywhere, Do Anything(TM) heritage is
maintained with the addition of more interior refinement, comfort and
technology in the widest range of sport-utility vehicles (SUV) under one
brand. The Jeep product line includes the brand icon, the Jeep Wrangler; the
four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; the popular mid-size Jeep Liberty (Cherokee
outside North America); the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee; the seven-passenger
Jeep Commander; and the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass with all-new redesigned
interiors and fuel economy of 28 mpg. 



SOURCE  Chrysler Group LLC

Jodi Tinson, Chrysler Group LLC, +1-248-512-2944, +1-586-219-0677 (cell),
jt658@chrysler.com
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