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"What makes the SRT8 version of Chrysler's 300C exceptional is that it's the first sedan from anyone, anywhere, to combine the refinement and performance of the pricey supersedans with a sticker of $42,095, no incentive necessary. It's something the U.S. auto industry should have done long ago, but it was worth the wait."

Car and Driver - Chrysler 300C SRT8 - June 2005

Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Chrysler Group and Sports Car Club of America, Inc. (SCCA), jointly announced today a multi-year partnership that names the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) vehicle line as the “Official Cars and Trucks” of SCCA.
The partnership includes a free SCCA membership offer to all participants in the SRT Track Experience, and a number of cross-promotional activities and programs for SCCA and SRT.
“ Racing is part of the DNA of every SRT vehicle,” said Dan Knott, Director – Street and Racing Technology, Chrysler Group. “This relationship with SCCA provides a great opportunity to showcase SRT’s signature racing technology and street-legal performance in partnership with America’s premier grassroots racing organization. And, it complements the already great relationship that Dodge Motorsports has with the SCCA.”
New owners of SRT vehicles who complete the SRT Track Experience are offered a complimentary full SCCA membership — a ticket to more than 2,000 annual track, autocross and rally events, a subscription to SportsCar magazine and nearly 50 consumer discount programs. SRT will host 18-20 SRT Track Experience events, in which SRT vehicle owners have the opportunity to learn more about their vehicle’s performance with professional driving instruction. SRT estimates that approximately 7,000 people will complete the program.
“With the SRT product lineup, the Chrysler Group is developing cars that are right in line with what SCCA is all about — performance and excitement,” SCCA President and CEO Steve Johnson said. “We’re extremely excited about our new partnership that offers great benefits to both SCCA and the Chrysler Group, but most importantly to our current and potential members.”
The true grassroots focus of the SCCA fits perfectly with SRT’s customer base, said Mirko Kerschbaum, Senior Manager – SRT Marketing and Product Planning. “SCCA members are the kind of performance enthusiasts who appreciate SRT’s benchmark performance at an incredible price.”
SRT will have a strong presence with support vehicles at SCCA’s major events, including The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Championships and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Kohler. Additionally, the SRT brand will prominently appear at The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour and ProSolo events, the SCCA National Convention, on SCCA’s Web site and in its official publications.
Profiles
Formed in 2002, SRT is the industry’s leading in-house automotive performance group. SRT creates some of the Chrysler Group’s boldest, most distinctive products that deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price. SRT boasts 10 SRT-badged Chrysler and Dodge performance vehicles, all of which will be in dealer showrooms by year’s end: Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible and Coupe, Dodge SRT4, Dodge Ram SRT10 regular cab and Quad Cab™, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Coupe and Roadster and Chrysler 300C SRT8. The all-new 2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 arrives in showrooms early next year. For more information about SRT, please visit www.dodge.com/srt or www.chrysler.com/srt.
Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 60,000-plus member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. It annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 111 regions and professional subsidiary. Landmark events and series for the Club include the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships; the Club Racing National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Kohler at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course; The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo Nationals and ProSolo Championship at Topeka, Kan.; and the United States Road Rally Championship. For more information, visit www.scca.com.

With 425-horsepower HEMI® and 71.6 cu. ft. of Cargo Space, Dodge’s New Speed Wagon Hauls in More Ways Than One

• All-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 priced at $37,995 including destination
• Offers additional 85 HEMI horses – 25 percent more power
• Zero to 60 mph in low-5-second range, quarter-mile time in the high 13-second range, 0-100-0 mph in mid-16-second range

Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge continues its sustained assault on the car market with the introduction of the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger, Charger SRT8, Magnum, Magnum SRT8 and Viper SRT10 Coupe. Dodge announced pricing today for the Dodge Magnum SRT8.
Adding a new level of utility to the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) formula of benchmark performance at an astounding value, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is available for $37,995, which includes $675 for destination. Dodge Magnum SRT8 arrives in Dodge showrooms this summer.
" Dodge Magnum is the new shape of American muscle," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President - Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Since introducing the Dodge Magnum, we’ve increased our market share in the car market. The momentum continues with the introduction of the Dodge Magnum SRT8.
" With a serious dose of SRT performance added to the mix, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is capable of zero to 60 mph in the low-5-second range,” continued Jackson. “And with nearly 72 cubic feet of cargo space, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 provides incredible utility at a tremendous value.”
The all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is powered by an SRT-engineered 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, and equipped with a host of performance upgrades and premium amenities.
HEMI Power
The heart of the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is its SRT-engineered 6.1-liter HEMI engine, which generates 85 more horsepower than the 5.7-liter version with more cubic inches, higher compression ratio, faster engine speed and better engine breathing through special cylinder heads and manifolds. The 6.1-liter HEMI engine was strengthened with components including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods.
The result is an engine capable of 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque - the highest specific-output V-8 engine ever offered by the Chrysler Group - with a horsepower-per-liter rating that exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 Street HEMI.
2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Features
The all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is equipped with a full complement of SRT-tuned performance upgrades, including larger diameter anti-sway bars, specially tailored spring rates, Bilstein dampers, Brembo four-piston disc brakes at the front and rear, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with Goodyear F1 three-season tires.
2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 standard features include power-adjustable, deeply sculpted and aggressively bolstered front seats trimmed with performance suede inserts that secure occupants during spirited driving. Other features include “carbon fiber” leather trim on the steering wheel, and special carbon fiber finishing on the center stack. Full instrumentation includes a 180 mph speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges.
Premium amenities include a standard AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc CD changer and steering wheel-mounted controls, and a power-adjustable pedal cluster. Options include a power sunroof, heated seats, supplemental side air bags, and load leveling and height control. Also available are SIRIUS Satellite Radio, which offers hundreds of commercial-free channels, and a UConnect™ hands-free communications system with Bluetooth™ technology. This system recognizes up to seven different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds to voice commands, utilizing a microphone in the rear-view mirror and the stereo system’s speakers for hands-free conversations.
Functional SRT Exterior Design Cues
The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8’s exterior styling begins with its striking raised beltline and roofline pulled down tautly around the windows. Functional SRT improvements include an all-new front fascia with integrated ducts that help direct air to cool the brakes. A front air dam reduces lift, while in the rear, there is an all-new fascia with an integrated wake modifier and aggressive cutouts to accommodate dual 3.5-inch exhaust tips.
Dodge Magnum SRT8 styling is also unique with a mesh grille insert with chrome trim, satin-finish front and rear bumper inserts, body-color mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.
Available exterior colors for the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 are Bright Silver, Brilliant Black and Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat. The interior is offered in Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone.
Street and Racing Technology (SRT)
Formed in 2002, SRT is the industry’s leading in-house automotive performance group. SRT creates some of the Chrysler Group’s boldest, most distinctive products that deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price.
SRT boasts 10 SRT-badged Chrysler and Dodge performance vehicles, all of which will be in dealer showrooms by year’s end: Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible and Coupe, Dodge SRT4, Dodge Ram SRT10 regular cab and Quad Cab™, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Coupe and Roadster and Chrysler 300C SRT8.

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

• After nearly three decades, Dodge Charger is back and Yeah, It's Gotta HEMI®
• Marketing campaign highlights HEMI performance, head-turning design and incredible value
• More than 100,000 handraisers
• More than 26,800 dealer orders

Dodge unleashed its marketing campaign today for the highly anticipated all-new 2006 Dodge Charger, which peels into showrooms this summer.
“ With modern coupe styling, rear-wheel drive, four-door functionality and a HEMI packed under the hood, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger is bold, powerful and capable,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President – Dodge Marketing. “Similar to HEMI, the Charger name is powerful and draws from the Dodge brand’s proud performance heritage. We have a tremendous amount of equity and name recognition for both of these entities. Combined, today’s all-new Dodge Charger and HEMI engine effectively mark the return of modern American muscle,” said Jackson.

To date, Dodge has received more than 26,800 dealer orders for Charger and identified more than 100,000 “handraisers,” or consumers who wish to receive more information about the vehicle. Dodge will build more momentum for Charger when its marketing campaign begins June 1. The campaign features a diverse mix of traditional and non-traditional mediums built around three core messages: performance, style and value.

Dodge Charger Marketing Campaign
Television advertising kicks off the campaign with two 30-second television spots, "Dragster" and "Unleash", with two additional spots, "Bikes" following on May 24 and "Auction" on June 1. Television ads will run on both network and cable stations and will include special promotional partnerships. Each advertisement will focus on one of the following key attributes for the Dodge Charger: HEMI performance, modern technology, bold styling or value.

"Dragster"
Open on a top fuel Dragster as it does a burnout, a Dodge Charger is also doing a burnout. A drag strip Christmas tree comes into view. The light turns green and both vehicles take off from the line for a full-on race to the end of the track. Suddenly, both vehicles begin to slow down; they are stopping at a tollbooth. The camera cuts to the front of the top fuel dragster sticking out from under the tollbooth gate. An interior shot of the Charger shows our driver looking over and throwing money into the basket. A Nomex glove is also shown throwing money in the change basket. The shot cuts wide to a shot of the turnpike tollbooth as the Charger pulls away. The whole drag race has been inside of the driver’s head.

“Auction”
Barrett-Jackson Auction tent in Scottsdale, Arizona is seen from an overhead shot. A custom vehicle has just sold and is exiting the scene as the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SXT appears on stage. Cameras cover the new Dodge Charger from every angle. People looking at the vehicle are bidding as commentary on the vehicle is heard. The bids continue higher and higher. A dealer and customer are seen standing next to the Charger. The customer turns to look at the window sticker. The shot pulls from the window sticker back to the two men standing outside of a dealer showroom. Hustle and bustle of people goes on behind them. The customer remains in a reflective moment for a long beat then looks at the low sticker price one last time. He smiles.

“Bikers”
A Dodge Charger is shown cruising in slow motion down a suburban street. One by one, a group of motorcycles gather behind the Charger. As motorcycles follow the Charger, riders cross paths, weaving back and forth like little kids on bicycles. We see a motorcycle rider pull up next to the Charger, look it over and then give the driver a “thumbs up” before drifting back with the pack. The camera cuts to a different motorcycle cruising down the sidewalk. The Charger and a second motorcycle both stop at the bottom of a driveway. We now see a paperboy bag strapped to the motorcycle’s handlebars, the rider hands a newspaper to the Dodge Charger driver. At this point, the Charger driver comes back to reality and we see that the motorcycle is actually a bicycle with a little kid on it.

“Unleash” (African American and Hispanic version)
A well-dressed businessman approaches his all-new Dodge Charger and starts to get into the vehicle. A charge of electricity passes from the car into the man’s brain and heart, imprinting the Dodge logo there. The driver begins to transform from conservative to cool in a matter of seconds. The Charger drives powerfully through the city, showing off its bold shape and attitude. The force of its passage actually causes parked cars to lift off their suspensions and causes a bystander’s face to ripple. The Dodge Charger blows by a woman on a sidewalk and causes her skirt to blow in the wind. She turns quickly to admire the car as it goes by. The Charger roars under the camera and we can see it appear to create a pressure wave.

Print advertising will launch in July books and include three, two-page spreads that will appear in a variety of publications including automotive, men’s, sports, technology, music and outdoor adventure. In addition to traditional advertising, Dodge will push the envelope through unique online initiatives, and events with a strong focus on entertainment and relationship marketing.

Dodge will invite online consumers to unleash their untamed inner spirit by…Unleashing their Freak. Four animated icons, the Freaks, will represent Dodge Charger vehicle attributes: Power, Control, Speed and Style. The Power Freak demonstrates HEMI-grade power, street-smart prowess and strength. The Control Freak communicates superb control on the road, smart engineering, precision, balance, athleticism and brains. The Speed Freak embodies pure unadulterated speed, exhilaration on the road, a youth, fun-loving, boyish rebel, and the ability to deliver an adrenaline rush. The Style Freak shows bold design, timeless style, sexiness, smoothness and mystery. An online universe will be built for the Dodge Charger and its Freaks through unique high-energy 3D animations.

Online, consumers will also have the option to be inducted into the world of Charger with the help of a new desktop tool, “The Induction Unit." The downloadable desktop tool launches May 23 and will allow consumers to create an icon on their desktops that may be configured to alert them to vehicle information including features, events, contests, videos and news in a dynamic, two-way communication relationship.

For consumers who wish to experience the Charger in person, Dodge will also unleash a series of regional events. The Dodge Model Box Build event will take place in at least eight markets across the country including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., Detroit and New York. A larger-than-life Dodge Charger model box will be filled with life-size Dodge Charger parts to be assembled pit-stop-style by team mechanics. The builds will last approximately 20 minutes and take place every hour.

The Dodge Zoo Tour will unleash a herd of Dodge vehicles in zoos across the country embarking on a four-month tour of 12 zoos. Events will feature the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger with appearances by the Dodge Magnum, Grand Caravan, Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota. Dodge also will take center stage at the 25th anniversary of the National Association of Black Bikers and at the Vive al Ritmo Spanish Music Series.

Browse Our Dodge Charger Inventory

Chef Tim Kowalec fires up Chysler Group’s one-of-a-kind HEMI(R)-powered grill at an event today to announce the top five finalists in the “What Can You HEMI?” contest. Until now, the HEMI engine was only found in Chrysler, Jeep(R) or Dodge vehicles. With the power and torque of the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engine, the grill can cook 240 HEMI dogs in three minutes and is covered by more than 330 square feet of steel. Joe Wilssens photo.

• Finalists to see their HEMI-powered dreams become realities
• Grand Prize Winner wins a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle
• Sketches available online at www.WhatCanYouHemi.com

While a HEMI®-powered grill was revving in the background, five finalists were announced today in Chrysler Group’s “What Can You HEMI®?” contest. The finalists, whose entries were chosen from among hundreds submitted throughout the U.S. and Canada, were on-hand when their entries were revealed at an event held at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, in Michigan, and will now see their HEMI-powered inventions become realities.
Once built, the five finalist entries will be showcased and one Grand Prize Winner will be named in June. That winner will receive a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle of their choice.

“The HEMI engine has taken the hottest new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles to new levels in power and technology and now it will do the same for these creations, which include a snowblower, ice resurfacing machine, paper shredder, merry-go-round and trike,” said Frank Klegon, Chrysler Group Vice President- Product Development Process and Components. “The entries from these five finalists stood out from the rest based on creativity, engineering feasibility, safety and functionality.”

The five finalists are:
• HEMI Snowblower – Tim Flucht, Belleville, Mich. – a faster, more efficient solution to today’s snow blower options
• HEMI on Ice– Dan Burg, Lindenhurst, Ill. – pack and smooth ice with a higher powered vehicle that is fitting for hockey’s rough and tough fans
• HEMI Shredder – Randy and Robin Fredner, Earlysville, Va. – from paper to wood, there isn’t a load this machine can’t tear to pieces
• HEMI-Go-Round - Jonathan Brzon, Topeka, Kan. – an ‘ode to classic muscle cars, this ride whips around faster than its original versions
• HEMI Trike– Marcus Braun, Vancouver BC – reminiscent of a first bike, adults can relive their childhood with this more powerful adaptation

Chrysler Group launched the “What Can You HEMI?” contest in February in celebration of the legendary HEMI engine. With “That Thing Got a HEMI?” becoming a household phrase -- serving as a constant reminder that anything with a HEMI engine is truly top notch -- Chrysler Group asked consumers the question: If you could infuse the power and torque of the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engine into anything, what would it be?

Contestants had to submit their idea in a brief essay and support it with a sketch. Contest information was available online at www.WhatCanYouHemi.com. More than 360 aspiring inventors submitted their wildest ideas before the April 6 postmark deadline.

"Since its introduction to the public in 1951, the HEMI engine has revolutionized the automotive industry and fascination over the original muscle car engine continues today," said Klegon. "This contest was about extending the same power, torque and technology of the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI engine to make the ordinary, extra-ordinary and to have a lot of fun doing it."

Today, the modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine’s power and fuel efficiency has added to the success of vehicles like the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The modern high performance HEMI engine delivers up to 345 horsepower and up to 390 pound-feet of torque. With more than 500,000 engines sold, the take-rate across the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge lineups is 44%.

HEMI® Engine History
The HEMI engine was first made popular in 1951 when Chrysler Corporation introduced its entry in the post-war horsepower race. Its power and efficiency made it an instant favorite for all sorts of motorsports vehicles. Although reluctantly retired in 1959 due to high manufacturing cost, the HEMI design was still unsurpassed. In 1964, NASCAR competition sparked the HEMI's return, and it has remained available for motorsport use ever since. Chrysler Group debuted the all-new modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine in 2002 on the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500.

The common-rail diesel engine in the Jeep Liberty CRD is a true powerhouse: With a range of almost 800 kilometers, 400 Nm of torque and a maximum towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, the CRD is the best in its class in every respect

• Jeep® Liberty CRD diesel offers power and performance, along with increased fuel economy and lower emissions
• Every Jeep Liberty CRD delivered to customers running on clean, renewable biodiesel fuel
• U.S. customers showing strong interest in new diesel vehicles

West Point, Virginia - President George W. Bush toured a biodiesel refinery in rural Virginia Monday, then was given a personal briefing on the performance and environmental benefits of the Jeep® Liberty CRD sport-utility vehicle equipped with a modern clean diesel engine.
President Bush was also briefed on the benefits of DaimlerChrysler's Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck equipped with a Cummins turbo diesel engine.
" Fuel-efficient diesel vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce our consumption of oil and improve our environment," said Frank O. Klegon, Vice President-Product Development Process and Components at Chrysler Group, after briefing the President. "If we add increased use of biodiesel into the equation, we can cut our consumption of oil even further - and improve the benefits of diesel engines."
The Jeep Liberty CRD is the first mid-sized SUV offered in the U.S. market with a diesel engine. The 2.8-liter, four-cylinder diesel in the Liberty provides the power of a V-8, the acceleration and performance of a V-6, and the fuel efficiency and environmental benefits of a four-cylinder engine. The Liberty CRD has a highway driving range of 500-plus miles, along with best-in-class torque and towing capability.
Each Jeep Liberty CRD built in the DaimlerChrysler plant in Toledo, Ohio, is delivered to customers running on B5 biodiesel fuel made with soybeans grown and refined in Ohio. Biodiesel, like that made in the facility toured by the President, reduces emissions of diesel vehicles, including carbon dioxide, and lowers petroleum consumption.
If 30 percent of passenger vehicles in the United States were powered by diesel engines, the nation would save 350,000 barrels of oil per day, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy. In Europe, more than 40 percent of new passenger vehicles are diesel-powered.
Nationwide use of B2 fuel (2 percent biodiesel) would replace 742 million gallons of gasoline per year, according to the National Biodiesel Board.
Klegon reported that sales of the new Jeep Liberty CRD have been strong. More than 60,000 consumers expressed interest in the diesel Liberty even before production began, and the company has been challenged to keep up with demand now that the vehicle is on the market.
DaimlerChrysler is testing the U.S. market response to modern, clean diesel vehicles with the launch of the Jeep Liberty CRD this year, following the Mercedes-Benz E320 cdi luxury diesel sedan which went on sale in the U.S. last year and quickly sold out its initial production.
"Once American consumers experience clean modern diesel, we think they are going to be convinced," Klegon said. "That's why we are grateful to President Bush for this special effort to get the word out about the benefits of diesel and biodiesel."

The Dodge Charger — one of the biggest, well-known names from the muscle car era — has powered its way back to streets and racetracks across America, paying homage to the muscle cars of the ’60s, and adding 21st century performance and functionality.

Available with a 250 horsepower High Output V-6 engine or the legendary 340 horsepower HEMI® V-8 engine, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger races into the car market with contemporary, provocative styling and substance with all the convenience of
a modern sedan.

“With proven rear-wheel-drive technologies and the legendary HEMI engine, we are able to produce a modern muscle car with everyday functionality,” said Craig Love, Vice President – Rear-wheel Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “The all-new Dodge Charger offers the perfect blend of performance, safety and flexibility that today’s market demands.”

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• Dodge Charger 10th Vehicle in All-new Lineup to Receive Five Stars for Frontal Crash Protection

The 2006 Dodge Charger has received the government’s highest rating for frontal-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Dodge Charger five-star rating for frontal crash protection makes it the 10th new product from Chrysler Group to achieve the top safety rating in the governmental frontal crash tests.
" The all-new Dodge Charger is built on the successful Dodge formula. It’s bold, powerful and loaded with state-of-the-art technology that make for both an exciting and safe ride," said Craig Love, Vice President -- Rear Wheel Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "In addition to eye-catching styling and goose-bump generating performance, Charger carries the very latest in active and passive safety science to help our customers avoid accidents and help keep them safe and secure in case of a crash."
The 2006 Dodge Charger’s active safety technology includes standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all-speed Traction Control System (TCS), and four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). Those accident avoidance features are coupled with a host of passive safety equipment including Advance multistage driver and front passenger air bags, with Occupant Classification System (OCS) for controlled airbag deployment, constant force seat belt retractors, pretensioners, an energy-absorbing steering column, and optional side-curtain airbags.
Starting with the Chrysler Pacifica in 2003, Chrysler Group has had a string of 10 product launches that produced NHTSA-rated five-star vehicles for frontal crash protection. These vehicles include: Chrysler
Pacifica , Chrysler and Dodge minivans, Dodge Durango , Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Quad, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Dakota, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Dodge Charger.
The 2006 Dodge Charger is manufactured at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario , Canada. The 2006 Dodge Charger joins the award-winning Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles, which also are built in Brampton.

Chrysler Group Partners with Hispanic Television’s Judge Franco to Communicate Safety Messages to At-Risk Minority Group
• Motor vehicle crashes are leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 1-44
• Star of hit Hispanic courtroom television show "La Corte Del Pueblo" (People's Court) to communicate information about the Company’s safety programs

Los Angeles - Hispanics, the fastest growing minority group in the United States, are facing a problem so serious that it has become a major public health issue. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 1-44 and the third leading cause of death for Hispanics of all ages, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer, according to a 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

To help counter this alarming statistic and educate the Latino community about vehicle safety, the Chrysler Group announced today that it will partner with Judge Manuel Franco, the star of the hit Hispanic courtroom television show "La Corte Del Pueblo" (People's Court), to communicate important driver and passenger safety messages and information about the Company’s safety programs. The announcement was made as part of the Los Angeles-leg of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Chrysler Group’s “21 turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones” program, a 21-minivan caravan that is touring high schools in 21 cities to educate teens on making smart and healthy decisions regarding underage drinking and teen driving safety.

The Hispanic population grew by nearly 60 percent between the 1990 and 2000 Census, much faster than the U.S. population as a whole. This rapid population growth means that Hispanics will constitute an increasing proportion of crash injuries and fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“The biggest problem facing the Latino community is not receiving information about vehicle safety in a way that resonates with them,” said Luis Morais, Senior Manager - Safety Programs, Chrysler Group. “Because Judge Franco is a respected leader and advocate in the Hispanic community and has a natural forum through which he can reach this audience, he is an ideal person to help us get the message out about vehicle safety and to, hopefully, save lives.”

In addition to encouraging the use of seat belts, Judge Franco will be sharing information about the Chrysler Group’s commitment to safety and the company’s innovative safety programs such as Road Ready Teens, Fit for a Kid and SeatCheck.

“The Chrysler Group has demonstrated its leadership in the safety arena with innovative programs,” said Judge Franco. “I am pleased to work with them to help make a difference in the Hispanic community.”

Judge Franco rose to prominence as a result of his popular TV courtroom show, which aired on Telemundo from 1999-2004. On his program, he dealt primarily with sorting out everyday legal dilemmas such as landlords and angry tenants, wrongful business practices and angry customers. He has also been heard since 1996 on LA’s KTNQ 1020AM, which is owned by Hispanic Broadcasting.

Born in Mexico in 1943, Judge Franco received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 1964, then attended medical school before earning his Juris Doctor in 1969 from UC Davis School of Law. He was admitted into the State Bar of California in 1970. He served as a Judge Pro Tempore from 1975-1998 and has been admitted to practice law before all courts of the State of California, the 9th Circuit Court Appeals Federal Court and the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Franco is also very involved in his community. He is active with the Olive Crest Foundation, an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating victims of child abuse and preserving the family. He also teaches educational programs for attorneys as a part of a continuing education series for the State of California and works with a free clinic that provides low income individuals free legal advice. His weekly radio show, which he initiated, addresses social, medical and legal issues facing the Latino community.

Judge Franco is an avid car aficionado. He participated in the first-ever New York Urban Dealer Awards and Auto Show Preview at the New York International Auto Show in 2004. He served as host of the awards ceremony honoring members of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) for their diversity practices.

Chrysler Group Safety Programs
Chrysler Group initiated Road Ready Teens (RRT) in 2003 to focus on teen drivers and teens approaching the driving age. In the first year, RRT direct outreach efforts and materials reached more than 40 million teens and parents. RRT is also available in Spanish.

DaimlerChrysler's Fit for a Kid was the country's first permanent child safety seat inspection service. The service is free and offered by appointment at participating Five Star Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealers. Fit for a Kid is open to all families, no matter what make or model vehicle they drive.

In February 2002, DaimlerChrysler joined with NHTSA and other partners on SeatCheck, an initiative to expand access to a locator to help parents find safety seat inspection locations and to promote all inspection services to parents. SeatCheck, also available in Spanish, includes a toll-free telephone hotline (1-866- SEAT-CHECK) that taps into NHTSA’s online service.

• One-of-a-kind piñata modeled after Chrysler PT Cruiser
• Piñata created in celebration of Chrysler PT Cruiser's fifth anniversary and Cinco de Mayo

Auburn Hills, Mich. - The too-cool-to-categorize Chrysler PT Cruiser is celebrating five years of turning heads and impressing owners, and to mark this unique, flexible and fun-to-drive vehicle, the Chrysler Group is revealing the newest PT Cruiser that is sure to create a buzz – the 2005 PT Cruiser piñata. This one-of-a-kind design is only available the fifth month of 2005 and isn’t driven, but rather hangs 7 feet off the ground and is stuffed with prizes.
The life-sized, 900-pound, fifth-birthday piñata, the largest piñata of its kind, debuted at one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the nation, the Old Town Fiesta in San Diego. Cinco de Mayo also celebrates “fives” this year when it lands on 05-05-05.

“ In the last five years, Chrysler has kept the PT Cruiser fresh and exciting with 11 variations,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Chrysler Marketing – Chrysler Group. “Since it is our fifth anniversary and Cinco de Mayo will occur on 05-05-05, we created a real-life PT Cruiser piñata stuffed with hundreds fun prizes, including a set of keys for a new PT Cruiser Convertible.”
The Chrysler Group changed the landscape of the automotive market when it introduced the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser five years ago. Its one-of-a-kind PT Cruiser styling and Swiss-Army-Knife-like interior flexibility, offered at a compact car price, redefined the small car segment, became an instant hit with consumers and is still popular with them today.
Weighing in at approximately 900 pounds and covered in 1,500 feet of paper, the 2005 PT Cruiser piñata is significantly lighter than its drivable brethren, but identical in length and width at 13 feet long and 6 feet wide. Its limited-edition three-tone exterior color – red, white and green – was chosen in honor of the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo.
Once pulled, the bottom of the Chrysler PT Cruiser piñata gave way to more than 1,200 free prizes, including a set of keys for a two year lease on a new 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, T-shirts, candy, beach balls, beach towels, windbreakers, hats and sunglasses. One lucky puller finding the keys won a two-year lease on the convertible.
About the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler Group redefined the small-car segment with the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Its one-of-a-kind styling is a dramatic alternative to anything else on the road today, let alone the typical small car found in this price class. Owners can express their sense of style and individuality while enjoying the peace of mind that the PT Cruiser’s best-in-class quality offers—quality that has earned the Chrysler PT Cruiser recommendations from leading consumer magazines, as well as Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Award.
In addition to its one-of-a-kind retro PT Cruiser styling, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible boasts a power convertible soft top, 13 inches more rear legroom than its competitors, storage space large enough to fit at least two golf bags or similar lifestyle equipment, two available turbo engine options and an exceptionally quiet ride.

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