Chrysler Group Kicks Off 2002 with Prestigious Awards
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group starts the new year in high gear with an impressive array of prestigious awards for its outstanding lineup of cars, minivans, trucks, sport-utilities and segment-busting vehicles.
``These prestigious third-party organizations pay us the ultimate compliment by bestowing their top awards on both our current products and our future products,'' said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President - Global Sales and Marketing. ``With Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge, we have one of the greatest product and brand portfolios in the industry, with even more great new products on the way.''
Hot on the heels of introducing the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Crossfire sports coupe, Chrysler introduced yet another segment buster at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Chrysler announced that its all- new 2002 Pacifica concept vehicle will become reality next year.
Chrysler Pacifica will join the ranks of the automaker's 1983 minivan and 2001 PT Cruiser as yet another segment buster from the company that has reshaped the automotive landscape time and time again. Chrysler will unveil the production version of the Chrysler Pacifica later this year. Production for the Chrysler Pacifica will begin early in 2003, as a 2004 model.
The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire has already earned three top awards: Automotive News ``2001 Exterior Design of the Year,'' Car Styling ``2001 Concept of the Year,'' and L'Automobile ``2001 Design of the Year.'' The 2002 Chrysler Pacifica concept was awarded Autoweek's ``Most Significant of the (Detroit Auto) Show,'' and the 2002 Jeep Compass concept was Eyes on Design's ``Best Concept Vehicle.''
Earlier this month, the Chrysler Town & Country minivan drove away with the prestigious Polk Automotive Loyalty Award, while Jeep Liberty earned American Woman Road & Travel's, Best-in-Class SUV.
To date, following is a complete list of Chrysler Group awards earned for the 2002 model year:
4x4 PLUS (Belgium), 4x4 of the year - 2002 Jeep Cherokee/Liberty
4Wheel & Off-Road, 4x4 of the year - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
American Woman Road & Travel, Best in Class SUV - 2002 Jeep Liberty
Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), Best New Sport
Utility Vehicle - 2002 Jeep Liberty
Automotive News, 2001 Exterior Design of the Year - 2002 Chrysler
Crossfire
Autoweek, Most Significant of the Show - 2002 Chrysler Pacifica concept
Carguide Magazine/Globe & Mail ``Best Buy,'' Best Minivan - 2002 Dodge Grand
Caravan
Carguide Magazine/Globe & Mail ``Best Buy,'' Best Wagon - 2002 Chrysler PT
Cruiser
Car Styling, 2001 Concept of the Year - 2002 Chrysler Crossfire
Evening Gazette Car Awards (UK), Best 4x4 - 2002 Jeep Cherokee/Liberty
Evening Gazette Car Awards (UK), Best MPV - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
Four Wheeler, Four Wheeler of the Year - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Four Wheeler, Truck of the Year - 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
Edmunds.com, Most Wanted Small Crew Cab Pickup - 2002 Dodge Dakota
Edmunds.com, Most Wanted Midsize Coupe (under $30,000) - 2002 Chrysler
Sebring
Eyes on Design, Best Concept Vehicle - 2002 Jeep Compass concept
Good Housekeeping, Automotive Satisfaction Award - 2002 Chrysler Town &
Country
Sport Truck, Truck of the Year - 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
Texas Auto Writers Association, Compact Pickup Truck of the year - 2002
Dodge Dakota
Texas Auto Writers Association, Compact SUV of the year - 2002 Jeep
Liberty
Texas Auto Writers Association, Midsize SUV of the year - 2002 Jeep Grand
Cherokee
L'Automobile, 2001 Design of the Year - 2002 Chrysler Crossfire
Northwest Automotive Writers Association, Economy SUV of the year - 2002
Jeep Liberty
Polk Automotive, Loyalty Award - 2001 Chrysler Town & Country
Popular Mechanics, Design & Engineering Award - 2002 Jeep Liberty
Popular Science, Best of What's New - 2002 Jeep Liberty
Popular Science, Best of What's New - 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
WomanMotorist.com, Reader's Choice Award Small/Midsize Sedans - 2002
Chrysler Sebring
WomanMotorist.com, Reader's Choice Award Pickup Truck - 2002 Dodge Ram
WomanMotorist.com, Reader's Choice Award Crossover Vehicle - 2002 Chrysler
PT Cruiser