Chrysler Group Demonstrates Historic Commitment to Diverse Future Business Leaders As Exclusive Sponsor of National Black MBA Association Student Case Competition

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Sep 22, 2014, 10:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Competition is conducted annually at National Black MBA Association's Annual Conference and Exposition
Chrysler Group has been exclusive sponsor of the competition since 1995
Annual event enables talented, high-potential MBA candidates from the nation's leading business schools to compete for $50,000 in scholarships
2014 business case required teams to develop a market launch plan for the all-new 2015 Jeep® Renegade
The team from Georgia State University earns 2014 national championship, teams from University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) and Emory University (Georgia) finish second and third respectively

Talented MBA candidates from more than 30 of the nation's leading business schools competed for $50,000 in scholarships in the 2014 National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Student Case Competition, sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC.

The NBMBAA/Chrysler Group National Student Case Competition is an annual event designed to give high-powered student teams an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and problem-solving skills in a formal competition. Teams are given a business case from which they develop business solutions. Each student team then prepares and presents its case to a panel of experienced business executives. Teams are judged on their analysis of the case, the feasibility of their recommendations and the quality of their presentations.

The business case for 2014 required teams to develop a market launch plan for the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade.

The competition is held each year as part of the NBMBAA's Annual Conference and Exposition, which was held this year in Atlanta, GA on September 16-20. Chrysler Group has been an active supporter of NBMBAA for more than 30 years and the exclusive sponsor of the Student Case Competition since 1995. Over that time, more than 2,000 MBA students have participated in the competition.

"Chrysler Group is proud to continue our long-standing sponsorship of the National Black MBA Association/Chrysler Group Student Case Competition," said Michael Keegan, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC and Co-Chair of the Company's Global Diversity Council. "The competition is a premier showcase event for student achievement allowing Chrysler Group to demonstrate its continuing commitment to identifying, recruiting and developing diverse talent and future business leaders."

This year, the students from Georgia State University took home the first place trophy as national champions and $25,000 in scholarships. The second and third place teams represented the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) and Emory University (Georgia), earning $15,000 and $10,000 in scholarships respectively. Winning teams were announced at an awards luncheon on September 19.

The focus of this year's business case, the 2015 Jeep Renegade, provided a unique opportunity for competitors. The vehicle will expand the brand's global vehicle lineup, entering the growing small sport-utility vehicle segment, while staying true to the fun-and-freedom lifestyle for which Jeep is known. Renegade delivers a unique combination of best-in-class off-road capability, open-air freedom and convenience, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission that contributes to outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics, world-class refinement, two fuel efficient MultiAir engines with more than 30 miles per gallon, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings.

About the National Black MBA Association
The National Black MBA Association® was founded in 1970 at a two-day conference held at the University of Chicago by a group of African American MBA students, faculty, advisors, and businessmen. The purposes of the Association are the encouragement of career independence for African American business professionals, the promotion of African American intellectual and economic wealth and empowerment and the professional advancement of African American business professionals. Comprised of African American and minority business professionals from around the world, the Association is a business force boasting U.S. and international members and corporate partners.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., designs, engineers, manufactures, distributes and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, and the SRT performance vehicle designation. The Company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C and Mopar products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899. Chrysler Group became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat on Jan. 21, 2014.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger and Viper SRT, Ram 1500 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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