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The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Journey have been awarded Bark Buckle UP’s 2010 Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The Pet Safe Choice Award is given to vehicles that best accommodate a variety of pet needs, including ventilation for pets and adaptability of third-party pet-travel gear.

“The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to be the best vehicle to transport people, belongings and their pets with minivan-first second- and third-row fold-in-floor Stow ‘n Go seating, large in-floor covered storage bins, low step-in load floor, power-sliding doors and power liftgate,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

Bark Buckle UP evaluated vehicles on a variety of criteria, including accommodation of animals and various kennel sizes, ease of pet access within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, pet-friendly interior surfaces and their ease of clean up.

“Pets are an extension of every family, and the Dodge Journey’s best-in-class seating and storage solutions meet the needs of all family members from kids to pets. With features like the available integrated booster seat that accommodates children comfortably, to in-floor storage that keeps all the pet-essentials organized and easy-to-reach, the Dodge Journey makes every trip better for the entire family,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

2010 Chrysler Town & Country

With more than 26 years of unsurpassed leadership in minivan engineering and design, Chrysler Town & Country celebrates its 20th year as the segment’s foremost luxury minivan. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to hit the mark in minivan innovation and value with more than 65 minivan-first features, a contemporary appearance, two distinct seating and storage systems, Stow ‘n Go® and Swivel ‘n Go®, segment-exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV and more than 40 available safety features.

Commemorating two decades of minivan luxury and innovation, the special-edition 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series features an even more luxurious interior with unique two-tone seating with French-seamed stitching, Macassar Range wood trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, heated first- and second-row seating and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring. Unique seven-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with platinum-chromed finish, chromed belt, fascia accents and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series” front door badging enhance this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country’s exterior appearance.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country received the U.S. Government’s Five Star crash test rating in both front and side impact tests. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $25,995 (including $820 destination).

Dodge Journey

The 2010 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seven-passenger seating, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty look, fun-to-drive dynamics, innovative features and 25-mpg highway fuel-efficiency, and Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.

With the simple turn of a lever, Dodge Journey’s available 5+2-passenger-seating system quickly folds the Tilt ‘n Slide(TM) second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats. Spacious storage bins, including the Flip ‘n Stow(TM) front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone(TM) glove box beverage cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with liners are easy to reach.

In-vehicle technologies include Media Center(TM) 730N with navigation, 30-gigabyte hard drive with voice commands, iPod® Control, Uconnect Phone and real-time traffic monitoring. Rear-seat passengers will enjoy the available rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, two wireless headphones and available SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM).

Source: Chrysler Group LLC

Stars For A Cause, in collaboration with the Chrysler Brand, is proud to auction off a Chrysler 300 “Haiti” edition signed by hundreds of celebrities to benefit the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. This one of a kind vehicle will be auctioned on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2pm Central Time by Leake Auction Company during their annual collector car auction in Oklahoma City.

“The celebrities including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren and hundreds more were only too happy to assist the humanitarian crisis in Haiti,” said George Braunstein, co-founder of Stars For A Cause, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. “We have chosen Leake Auction Company for their experience in charity auctions, their honorable reputation, and their location in the heart of America as a symbolic gesture.”

“It is our social responsibility to assist in any way we can to help contribute to the relief efforts,” said Olivier Francois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Hundreds of celebrity signatures now grace the exterior of the Chrysler 300 Haiti edition thanks to the actors and actresses attending a recent red carpet event and we are hopeful the car will raise a significant amount of money at auction, which will be given to the American Red Cross for their Haiti relief efforts.”

“Our hearts go out to the people in Haiti. The devastation they have suffered is unimaginable,” said Richard Sevenoaks, president of Leake Auction Company. “We are honored to work with Stars For A Cause and Chrysler to auction off the autographed Chrysler 300 Haiti during our Oklahoma City auction. We are looking forward to raising money to help Haiti.”

Stars For A Cause will auction the car with 100% of the proceeds generated going to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

Stars For A Cause is a unique charity fundraiser. Launched in 2007, Stars For A Cause has helped raise money for various charities through the help of celebrities and the Hollywood community.

Source: Stars For A Cause

New Jeep vehicles to debut at 2010 North American International Auto Show

• Liberty Renegade boasts classic Jeep® design, a premium, rugged appearance and numerous standard features that deliver renowned Jeep capability
• Liberty Renegade positioned between Sport and Limited models; available in Jeep showrooms first quarter 2010
• Jeep Wrangler Islander theme returns after 20-year hiatus, delivering unique fun-and-freedom package; available in Jeep showrooms first quarter 2010
• Available second quarter 2010, Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition boasts rugged outdoor theme, with 32-inch tires and unique wheel, grille and bumper appliques
• Limited-edition Islander and Mountain packages available on two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models

The Jeep® brand is broadening its vehicle lineup with the introduction of three new rugged, versatile and innovative vehicles that deliver classic Jeep design and capability.

The new 2010 Jeep Liberty Renegade boasts a new premium, rugged appearance with standard class-leading capability features, while the Jeep Wrangler lineup is expanded with unique limited-edition models – Jeep Wrangler Islander and Jeep Wrangler Mountain – that deliver high-impact visual appeal with outdoor fun-and-freedom themes.

“While clearly appealing to our core customers, these three new Jeep models will attract new customers to the Jeep dealer showroom,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Liberty Renegade delivers renowned Jeep capability and an array of standard features in a stunning new rugged, premium design, while both Wrangler models expand the iconic anchor of the Jeep brand with unique, limited-edition versions that consumers have told us they want.”

The new Jeep Liberty Renegade and Jeep Wrangler Islander edition will be available in Jeep showrooms in the first quarter of 2010. The Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition will follow in the second quarter.

Jeep Liberty Renegade

The “Renegade” name returns to the Jeep® lineup for 2010. First used in 1964 on the inside door opening of the Jeep Wagoneer, the Renegade has always represented the rebellious heart and soul of the Jeep brand.

Positioned between Liberty’s Sport and Limited models, the new Jeep Liberty Renegade expands the Jeep Liberty lineup, delivering renowned capability – highlighted by Jeep’s Selec-Trac® II full-time, shift-on-the-fly, active four-wheel-drive system – in a unique, premium and rugged new design.

Jeep Liberty Renegade is offered in a new, Renegade-exclusive Salsa Red Pearl Coat exterior, as well as Natural Green Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.

Standard Liberty Renegade exterior features include painted Mineral Gray Keystone 16-inch wheels that wear new, rugged all-terrain P235/70R16 outline white letter (OWL); dark neutral metallic wheel flares, lower side sills, front and rear fascia, body side moldings and rear license plate bar; black headlamp bezel; Argent Silver accent on the lower fascia applique and roof rack; Satin Black vinyl hood graphics; deep-tint glass; fog lamps; skid plates and tow hooks.

Inside, standard appointments include new premium cloth seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, instrument panel grab handle and park-brake boot; new driftwood accent bezels; leather-wrapped center console and soft-door armrests; premium Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC); cruise control; security alarm; rear cargo cover and steering-wheel-mounted radio controls.

Jeep Liberty Renegade’s standard Selec-Trac II active four-wheel-drive system offers customers the benefit of a fully electronic two-speed active transfer case and Brake-traction Control System (BTCS). It instantly anticipates wheel slip and redirects torque accordingly, which is ideal for off-roading or when driving in inclement weather.

This premium system offers a “4WD Auto” mode that is ideal for full-time driving. When in 4WD Auto mode, the system uses vehicle sensors to adjust and redirect torque between front and rear axles based on real-time driving conditions, providing the vehicle with responsive tractive performance.

For added capability when traversing steep grades, rough terrain or extremely poor traction surfaces, the transfer case includes a “4WD Low” mode. This second-speed gear multiplies engine torque 2.72 times and locks the clutch pack for maximum traction.

Electric shifting between 2WD, 4WD Auto and 4WD Low is accomplished with a console-mounted switch. A push-pin button is used to shift to Neutral mode.

A 3.7-liter V-6 engine is standard on all Jeep Liberty models, including the new Renegade. The 3.7-liter engine produces 210 horsepower (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N*m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm.

All Jeep Liberty models offer customers an “only-in-a-Jeep” open-air experience, courtesy of Jeep’s industry-exclusive Sky Slider(TM) full-length open-canvas roof.

Jeep Wrangler Islander

After more than 20 years, the unique Islander theme returns to Jeep.

The limited-edition Jeep Wrangler Islander is available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models. Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the Islander’s unique beach theme conveys open-air fun at first and every glance.

Jeep Wrangler Islander is featured in unique Surf Blue Pearl Coat, and is also available in Stone White Clear Coat, Bright Sliver Metallic Clear Coat and Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat.

Other exterior features include an Islander “Tiki Bob” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates that represent an actual location relating to the “Islander” theme of the vehicle, blackside steps and popular Moab 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires.

Inside, Islander’s seats are Dark Gray with Surf Blue inserts, blue stitching and an embroidered Islander “Tiki Bob” logo adorning the seat back. Blue stitching also has been added to the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with Mopar® rubber floor mats completing the beach theme.

The Jeep Wrangler Islander option package is available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,120.

Jeep Wrangler Mountain

Further expanding the iconic Wrangler brand’s reach, Jeep delivers another high-impact, limited-edition model with the Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition.

The Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition is based on the Wrangler Sport S package, and is available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models.

Exterior features include a unique “Mountain” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates that represent an actual location relating to the “Mountain” theme of the vehicle; painted high-gloss Mineral Gray 17-inch Moab wheels, grille and bumper appliques; tubular side steps; 32-inch tires; black tail lamp guards; and a fuel-filler door from Mopar.

Available exterior colors include Rescue Green Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat.

Interior features include an embossed seat insert with embroidered “Mountain logo,” and anodized graphite heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) rings.

The Jeep Wrangler Mountain option package will be available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $1,820.

Source: Chrysler Group LLC