Four Wheeler Magazine Editors Name Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon Best 4x4 Vehicle of the Decade – Four-door Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hailed as Most Significant 4x4

Date: 01.06.10

PRESS RELEASE:

• Four Wheeler editors refer to creation of four-door Wrangler as “…one of smartest product moves any automotive company has ever made”
• Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited remains the only four-door convertible on the market
• Four-door icon delivers class-leading off-road capability, everyday practicality and open-air fun
• Recognition comes on the heels of Jeep® brand being named Top Domestic Brand in Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com® 2010 Residual Value Study
• Nearly 60 percent of Wrangler sales are four-door Wrangler Unlimited model

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 6, 2010 –

Four Wheeler magazine editors have named the Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon the Best 4x4 Vehicle of the Decade, while calling out the four-door Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as the decade’s most significant 4x4 vehicle.

“Jeep® vehicles have earned many awards in the almost 70-year history of the iconic brand, but few have been as prestigious as these accolades from the editors at Four Wheeler magazine,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep® Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon is clearly the most capable production vehicle on the planet, and in four-door Unlimited form, families can enjoy the combination of capability, freedom, space and comfort that only Jeep® can provide.”

In recognizing the 2007-present Jeep® Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as the Best 4x4 of the Decade, Four Wheeler magazine editor Doug McColloch said, “The JK (current version) Wrangler represented a big step up in on-road ride and handling for Jeep®’s flagship ride, yet it’s off-road capability wasn’t compromised in the least. If anything, it was only enhanced. Considering how competent in the dirt the previous-gen(eration) TJ was, that was no small feat for Chrysler engineers to pull off. But somehow they managed to do it, creating the decade’s best four-wheel drive in the process.”

In calling the 2007-present Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon the Most Significant SUV of the Decade, editor Sean Holman said, “(The decision to produce a four-door Wrangler) will probably go down in history as one of the smartest product moves any automotive company has ever made. From a Jeep® customer perspective, the four-door was pure genius, opening up the sport of ‘Jeep®ing’ to families. No longer would you have to choose your kids or your gear. It also made the Jeep® brand accessible to people who have always loved the idea of a Wrangler, but never thought the vehicles were large enough or functional enough to fit their lifestyle and/or needs.”

The full reports from the Four Wheeler editors can be viewed at www.fourwheeler.com, or at http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6618471/editorials/the-decades-10-best-4x4s/index.html and http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6592333/miscellaneous/we-pick-the-most-influential-4x4s-of-the-2000s/index.html.

The four-door Wrangler Unlimited model accounts for 59 percent of Wrangler sales.

Jeep® Brand Boasts Highest Resale Value Among All Domestic Brands
Recognition from the editors at Four Wheeler magazine comes on the heels of Jeep® being named the top domestic brand in Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com® 2010 Residual Value Study.

According to the study, the Jeep® brand boasts the highest resale value among all domestic brands and its vehicles will maintain 35.7 percent of their original value after five years of ownership – more than 3 percent above the industry average.

The Jeep® brand resale value improves for 2010 as the industry average declines.

“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.”

“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 Manley. “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.”

For more information about Kelley Blue Book’s residual value analysis, please visit www.kbb.com/media.

About Jeep® Wrangler and Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited
The two-door Jeep® Wrangler remains true to its heritage as the original, extreme fun-and-freedom machine and is the only 4x4 with multiple open-air options.

Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited is the only four-door open-air SUV on the market with room for five adult passengers and is extremely popular with customers who want a Jeep® Wrangler, but need additional space and versatility.

Standard on both models is the innovative Sunrider® soft top, which includes a sun roof in addition to the full top-down option. Wrangler’s available Freedom Top,® a three-piece modular hard top, features three panels – left and right front-passenger panels and a rear panel – providing more options for open-air driving. Either top may be completely removed for a complete open-air experience.

About the Jeep® brand
Built on nearly 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep® is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep® brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full-line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

To meet consumer demand around the world, all seven Jeep® models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

Follow Jeep® and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chryslercom and www.twitter.com/chrysler
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Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm

Source: Chrysler Media Services