All-New 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and Jeep(R) Wrangler Earn Top Awards from Cars.com

-- All-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to win accolades from media and consumers with 10 major awards since its introduction

-- The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was named "Work Truck of the Year" and the 2009 Jeep(R)Wrangler received "Best New Car for Off-roaders" by Cars.com

-- Jeep Wrangler continues its ride as the benchmark off-road vehicle

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 3 -- Today Chrysler LLC earned two top awards from Cars.com. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was named "Work Truck of the Year" and the 2009 Jeep(R) Wrangler received "Best New Car for Off-roaders."

"Cars.com's Lifestyle Awards focus on selecting the best vehicles for different consumer lifestyles," said Patrick Olsen, editor in chief at Cars.com. "When choosing our Work Truck of the Year, we look for vehicles that perform well, whether that means getting a commuter to work comfortably and efficiently or providing a hard worker with power, durability and a lot of cargo space. With impressive ride quality, a high-quality cabin and exceptional storage space, the Dodge Ram 1500 was this year's clear winner."

Award winners were selected by Cars.com's expert reviewers and editorial staff from the field of editors' picks in the Cars.com Lifestyle Buying Guide. Vehicles in this guide first had to be selected as Cars.com Best Bets, meaning they were among the model-year's best offerings in their segment. From there, the team tapped into knowledge drawn from their time with each vehicle in order to decide which best met the criteria and intent of the lifestyle category at hand.

"We are honored to see the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram and the Jeep Wrangler earn these prestigious awards," said Scott Kunselman, Vice-President Jeep/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "It's also a testament to the quality products we are building here at Chrysler."

About the Dodge Ram

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the industry first-and-only RamBox(TM) cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, pickup bed dividers, a 2-foot bed extender, and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle providing ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics -- .387 Cd -- helps improve fuel economy and performance.

In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes first-in-segment, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins with nearly twice as many bins (42) than the previous model (26) and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM) round out the interior.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab recently earned 5-star ratings for driver-and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government's safety crash test program.

In addition to winning Cars.com's Work Truck of the Year Award, the all-new Dodge Ram has picked up nine other key awards since its introduction and was recently chosen by Car and Driver as the best full-size pickup in a head-to-head comparison test in Texas, beating the new Ford F-150. Other key awards include:

  -- ICOTY -- 2009 International Truck of the Year
  -- Truckin' magazine -- Truck of the Year
  -- Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) -- 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck
     of Texas
  -- Edmunds.com -- Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
  -- Autobytel.com -- 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editor's Choice Awards -- Truck
     of the Year
  -- Maxim -- Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
  -- Ward's AutoWorld -- Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7
     HEMI engine)
  -- Automobile Journalists Association of Canada -- Best New Pickup
  -- Sobre Ruedas -- Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08

  About the Jeep Wrangler

In tribute to the heritage of the Jeep brand, the 2009 Jeep Wrangler retains the body-on-frame chassis, solid front and rear axles, removable doors, fold-down windshield and most-capable drivetrains that establish it as the most capable SUV.

Whether choosing a Wrangler X, Sahara or Rubicon(R) model, Jeep Wrangler customers experience best-in-class off-road capability in a true open-air sport-utility vehicle. Jeep Wrangler does not wander from the brand's coveted core values of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity.

With 68 years of legendary off-road prowess under the hood, the 2009 Jeep Wrangler doesn't sacrifice anything inside the cabin, offering safety and convenience features, interior space, versatility and comfort.

2009 Jeep Wrangler models add even more refinement with standard Hill Start Assist (HSA) that prevents rollback on a graded surface. In addition, available Trailer Sway Control (TSC) monitors vehicle movement relative to the intended path and activates the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) if the trailer begins to sway outside set parameters.

Dodge Brand

With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and sales-leading, fifth-generation minivans in 2009.

Dodge introduced several new vehicles in 2008, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment to feature the all-new Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance safety systems.

Also in 2008, Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008.

Jeep Brand

The Jeep brand is purpose-built for adventurous lifestyles. With 68 years of legendary 4x4 capability, the Jeep brand continues to fulfill promises of adventure, liberation and independence for those who embrace life, whether traveling on- or off-road. The ruggedness and responsiveness of Jeep vehicles provide owners with a sense of security to handle any situation with confidence.

For 2009, the brand's legendary Go Anywhere, Do Anything(TM) heritage is maintained with the addition of more interior refinement, comfort and technology in the widest range of sport-utility vehicles (SUV) under one brand. The Jeep product line includes the brand icon, the Jeep Wrangler; the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; the popular mid-size Jeep Liberty (Cherokee outside North America); the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee; the seven-passenger Jeep Commander; and the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass with all-new redesigned interiors and fuel economy of 28 mpg.

About the Cars.com Lifestyle Awards

Launched to recognize new vehicles that best suit lifestyles of today's car shoppers, the Cars.com Lifestyle Awards acknowledge the best cars across a number of categories that car shoppers can identify with based on their personal vehicle needs.

Cars.com is the leading destination for online car shoppers, offering credible and easy-to-understand information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. With comprehensive pricing information, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new and used car inventory, Cars.com puts more than 9 million unique visitors who log on to the site each month in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions.

To view comprehensive awards criteria, visit Cars.com. Additionally, behind-the-scenes insight into the award selection process and inside debate can be found on Cars.com's blog, KickingTires.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, please visit the Chrysler media site at http://www.media.chrysler.com .