Chrysler Group Earns a Truck-Load of Awards At Ninth Annual Texas Truck Rodeo

The AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 20 -- The Chrysler Group took home a truck-load of awards from the 2001 Texas Truck Rodeo, which is sponsored by the Texas Automotive Writers Association (TAWA). The Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, Jeep® Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee were all announced as first place winners in their respective categories.

``We're thrilled that the Texas Automotive Writers Association chose the all-new Jeep Liberty, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab as first place winners in their annual competition,'' said George Murphy, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Marketing. ``All three of these vehicles are leaders in their segments, providing an exceptional balance of refinement, capability and style.''

The all-new 2002 Jeep Liberty won the Compact SUV category, besting the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Suzuki XL-7.

Taking the Midsize SUV title, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, equipped with the new high-output 4.7-liter V-8, upstaged the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, Toyota 4Runner and Isuzu Axiom.

The 2002 Dodge Dakota maintained its long-time winning streak in the Compact Pickup Truck category, capturing the title for the fourth consecutive year. This year's competition included Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma D-Cab and Toyota Tacoma X-Cab.

The ninth annual Texas Truck Rodeo, held October 25-27, featured a record 45 TAWA automotive journalists from across Texas putting 48 competitors through a rigorous off-road course and through the Trinity River levees to test capabilities in a number of categories. Journalists thoroughly tested and judged the vehicles, scoring them in categories for exterior styling, interior styling, ride quality, on-road driving, off-road driving, utility and value. Winners were not announced until this month.

The all-new Jeep Liberty's on- and off-road refinement, price and size make it unique in the market. The most powerful in its class, Jeep Liberty features a 210 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 SOHC 12-valve engine that was developed for power, refinement, efficiency and durability. A Jeep engineered, coil spring independent front suspension combines with a link-coil rear suspension to provide exceptional on-road refinement and legendary off- road capability and durability.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee tested was equipped with the new high-output 4.7- liter V-8 engine. Producing 260 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, and 330 lb.-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, this engine provides a 15 percent increase in horsepower and 12 percent increase in torque over the highly acclaimed 4.7-liter PowerTech(TM) V-8 engine. In addition to the new engine, Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first sport-utility vehicle to offer a tire pressure monitoring system. Also newly available this model year is the premium Overland model, ceiling- mounted curtain-type side air bags, rain-sensitive front wipers and adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.

With its bold design, best-in-class power and capability, wide range of model and engine choices, car-like ride-and-handling and unique versatility of the four-door Quad Cab(TM) model, the 2002 Dodge Dakota is the most versatile pickup in the compact segment.