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Jeep Grand Cherokee Named 1999 North American Truck of the Year

5 January 1999

Jeep Grand Cherokee Named 1999 North American Truck of the Year

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 4 -- The all-new Jeep(R) Grand
Cherokee was named the 1999 North American Truck of the Year, announced today
at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
    The North American Truck of the Year jury, consisting of 48 of the most
influential automotive journalists in the United States and Canada, selected
the Jeep Grand Cherokee over some significant competitors, including the
Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Discovery and Lexus LX470.
    North American Truck of the Year juror Christopher Jensen said, "The 1999
Jeep Grand Cherokee sets the new standard among sport utilities for the
magical mixture of pavement prowess with an undiluted ability to handle
hardcore, off-road challenges."
    Adds juror Ken Gross, "Whether you want it for family fun or luxurious
cruising, the Grand Cherokee, with a lusty 4.7 liter V-8, will tow your boat,
haul your horses, impress your neighbors, please your accountant and not scare
your banker."
    "We couldn't be more pleased," said Martin R. Levine, DaimlerChrysler
Vice President and General Manager of the Chrysler-Plymouth and
Jeep Divisions, "but we're not totally surprised.  We set out to build the
most capable sport-utility ever, in terms of on-road refinement, while
improving the legendary Jeep off-road performance.  Receiving North American
Truck of the Year honors is wonderful confirmation."
    The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee is produced at the Jefferson North Assembly
Plant in Detroit, Michigan and at Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, Austria for
markets outside of North America.