Chrysler Group LLC Gears Up for 2011 SEMA Show

Chrysler Group LLC will have a major presence at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

This year, the 28,400-square-foot exhibit will include more than 30 Mopar®-modified vehicles from the company’s Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep®, SRT and Fiat brands. More than 500 Mopar accessories will be showcased in the exhibit.

“The aftermarket is a $34 billion-a-year industry and SEMA is the perfect place to showcase everything that Mopar has to offer,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service parts and customer-care brand. “At Mopar, we believe in giving our customers a lot of choices when they go to personalize their vehicles. And that is why we offer extreme personalization for every single car in our showrooms. In addition to head-turning image vehicles at the SEMA show, we also will introduce new must-see product and technology.”

Mopar image vehicles that will be on display at SEMA include:

Chrysler 300 SF6

Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR


Dodge Durango Tow Hook


Ram 392 Quick Silver

http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=11664&mid=1

New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon Named "4x4 of the Year" by Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

The off-roading experts at Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine have awarded the new 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon their top honor: “4x4 of the Year.” Powering the legendary Wrangler to the title was its new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine that transforms the Wrangler’s driving experience on-road, while giving the most-capable production off-road vehicle in the world even more off-road mastery.

"The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most competent 4x4 ever produced,” said Rick Péwé, editor-in-chief of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. “The Rubicon gives you complete confidence in its terrain tackling abilities. It allows you to take the trail less traveled without worrying about the journey. And it does so while leaving a smile on your face. This is one fun ride.”

Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road’s “4x4 of the Year” competition included a thousand miles of trails, where editors evaluated suspensions, drivetrains, transfer case functionality, and off-road performance – on sand, mud, dirt and rock – as well as styling and value. They tested everything from how well a vehicle climbs up a rock to how fast it can drive across the desert, and every scenario in between.

“No one puts a vehicle to the test more thoroughly than the editors of Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road, so Jeep is especially proud to win this prestigious award,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has long been the most capable vehicle on the planet. With a completely new powertrain for 2012, it has reset the capability benchmark, while simultaneously offering consumers more fuel efficiency, horsepower, and on-road performance in every-day driving.”

This latest honor from Petersen’s 4-Wheel and Off-Road magazine is the third award for the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler in the last week. Last week, the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named Jeep Wrangler Unlimited the “Mid-Size SUV of Texas,” while a panel of journalists and professional athletes awarded it the “Best Off-Road Value” in the 2012 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year competition.

http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=11695&mid=1

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Joins the State Attorneys General and Ad Council to Unveil New Public Service Advertising Campaign to Urge Young Adult Drivers to ‘Stop the Texts’ and ‘Stop the Wrecks’

Eighty-two percent of young adult drivers (16-24) have read a standard text message while driving, according to a national survey conducted by the Ad Council. In an effort to educate young drivers about the dangers of texting while driving, the State Attorneys General and Consumer Protection agencies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)and the Ad Council are launching a new public service advertising campaign (PSA) nationwide. The campaign includes TV, radio, outdoor and digital PSAs. Additionally, to extend the campaign messages online, new Facebook, Twitter and YouTube social media channels go live today.

NHTSA reports that distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. Sixteen percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) reports that a texting driver is twenty-three times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver.

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51785-ad-council-texting-and-driving-prevention-nhtsa-state-attorneys-general

More Jeep® Vehicle Awards: Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Named Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) Winners for 2012

A group of automotive journalists and elite athletes from a variety of sports gathered in Phoenix last week to choose the Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) winners for 2012. The new 2012 Jeep® Wrangler captured the “Best Value Off-Road” award, while the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned top honors in the “Luxury Off-Road” category.

“Both the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee beat out vehicles which had dominated their competitive segments for multiple seasons,” said Nina Russin, automotive journalist and ALV program founder. “The new, more powerful engine and the reconfigured cargo area make the Wrangler a very easy vehicle to live with on a daily basis, as well as a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts who like to get off the grid on the weekends.



“The tremendous improvements to the interior of the Grand Cherokee in terms of design, fit and finish, as well as the new engine were in my opinion both game changers. And of course, the Grand Cherokee remains capable of navigating the most extreme off-road trails," Russin added.

The ALV evaluations took into consideration overall vehicle design, engine power, fuel efficiency, and cargo capability. In the final tally, the athletes’ votes and those of the journalist jury panel each accounted for 50 percent.

“Jeep vehicles offer the perfect blend of fun, performance and capability – and are built for any adventure – so Grand Cherokee and Wrangler were right at home in this unique competition,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are delighted to have earned awards in both the Value and Luxury categories with the two pillars of the Jeep brand.”

http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=11669&mid=1

2012 Dodge Durango Named “Full-size SUV of Texas” by Texas Auto Writers Association

Nearly 60 journalists belonging to the Texas Automotive Writers Association (TAWA) spent two days driving the industry's newest sport-utility and crossover vehicles in San Antonio, and when the dust settled, the new Dodge Durango stood proud as the winner of the prestigious “Full-Size SUV of Texas” honor.

“It’s always an honor when opinion-leading journalists recognize the tremendous capability, style and value we’re offering with our all-new lineup of Dodge vehicles,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “With Durango’s standard seven-passenger seating, class-leading towing capacity and driving range, the Dodge Durango offers a true no-compromise solution, blending capability and refinement into one stylish SUV.”

The TAWA media take many customer demands into consideration when evaluating the vehicles, including everything from exterior styling and on- and off-road capability, to the entrant's overall utility, value and fuel efficiency.

“The 2012 Dodge Durango made quite an impression at this year's TAWA Truck Rodeo," said Mike Herzing, President of TAWA. "With its spacious and refined interior, impressive driving dynamics, and class-leading towing capability, it's only fitting that the Dodge Durango is named the 2012 Full-Size SUV of Texas."

Earlier this year, the Dodge Journey seven-seat crossover was recognized by TAWA, winning the coveted “Family Car of Texas” award.

http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=11660&mid=1

2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Named “SUV of Texas” by Texas Auto Writers Association

Already the most-awarded sport-utility vehicle in history, Jeep Grand Cherokee has been named “SUV of Texas” – for the second consecutive year – by nearly 60 journalists representing the opinion-leading Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). The award was one of three captured by Jeep vehicles during the annual TAWA Rodeo – a two-day test of the industry’s newest SUV and truck lineup over a variety of on-road and rugged off-road terrain – held at the Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas, near San Antonio.

http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=5EF87F2968598EF03694F6DD28F9EE31?&id=11661&mid=1

Consumer Reports'; 2011 Annual Car Reliability Survey: Ford drops, Chrysler rises

While Ford’s star has fallen, Chrysler’s has risen. Jeep has moved up seven spots to 13, becoming the most reliable domestic brand, and all its models for which Consumer Reports has sufficient data scored average in predicted reliability. Chrysler and Dodge moved up 12 and three spots in ranking, respectively.
http://bit.ly/sNiviV

Need a new car? October is a good time to buy local.

(Flickr: Jeremy Vandel)

Need a new car? October is a good time to buy local.
You may be dreading it, but if the hunt for a new vehicle looms and you just can’t bring yourself to step out onto the lot – think again.

According to DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula general manager Eric Willis, when it comes to getting a good deal on a new or used car, October is prime buying time for the battered consumer.