Press Release

Chrysler Announces Award for 1997 Dodge Dakota

10/28/96

1997 Dodge Dakota Wins Off-Road Magazine's 'Truck of The Year' Award

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 24 -- The 1997 Dodge Dakota was
awarded Off-Road Magazine's "Truck of The Year" award, the publication
announced today. The all-new Dakota Club Cab 4x4 easily out-pointed
several pickup and sport-utility competitors, according to the
editorial staff at Off-Road, who evaluated the vehicles for the award.

"Dakota strikes a rare compromise between styling and truck
capability, which will prove to make it very popular for both work and
play," said Steve Stillwell, Editorial Director for Off-Road. "Instead
of trying to be completely different from Ram in styling, Dodge
realized the customer appeal of Ram and put it into a more compact
package. This is a huge plus."

All-new or substantially re-done pickups and sport-utility vehicles
were eligible for the award, voted on by the magazine's editorial
staff after on- and off-road evaluations. Included in the judging
were, among others, Ford Expedition and F-250 pickup, Land Rover
Defender and Toyota 4Runner.

In their review of Dakota, Off-Road Editor Brent Ross wrote, "To our
eye, and for our market, the '97 Dakota is the most innovative, will
have the greatest impact on shaping future trucks, will prove
enormously popular in both stock and modified form, and delivers
stellar all-around performance at a reachable retail price."

"We're very proud of this recognition," said Dodge General Manager Ray
Fisher. "We realize the responsibility Off-Road has in making sure
they've picked a truck that can handle the rigors of off-road driving,
as well as general commuting, given the knowledgeable readership of
this magazine.

"We knew we had a hit on our hands when the first Dakota came off the
line and it's great to see that Off-Road feels the same way."