Three Dodge Models Top Their Segments in J.D. Power and Associates 2011 APEAL Study(SM)

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Jul 27, 2011, 10:05 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Dodge earns three segment awards for Challenger, Charger, Durango
Dodge Charger is most improved vehicle in the industry
Jeep® and Chrysler brands improve significantly in APEAL Study

The Dodge brand earned three awards as the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Durango led their segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study(SM).

The Dodge Charger ranked highest in the Large Car segment and was the most improved model in the industry. The Dodge Challenger scored highest in the Midsize Sporty Car class and Dodge Durango took the top spot in the Midsize Crossover/SUV segment.

The Jeep® brand improved by 32 points and Chrysler increased by 27 points compared to the industry's average improvement of three points.

"We've listened to our customers and made significant improvements across the product line, launching 16 all-new or extensively updated vehicles in the past year," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President — Quality, Chrysler Group. "We worked very hard to make our vehicles truly competitive with the best vehicles in their respective segments. It's nice to see this effort being recognized by our customers."

According to J.D. Power and Associates, vehicles with high APEAL scores generate faster sales, higher profit margins, and less need for cash incentives. High levels of vehicle appeal also influence customer recommendation rates.

In the recently announced J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study (SM) (IQS), the Dodge Challenger and the Chrysler Town & Country ranked highest in their respective segments for initial quality.

The APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. Unlike IQS, which measures short-term quality, the APEAL Study identifies consumer likes and dislikes about their vehicle during the first 90 days of ownership, particularly regarding vehicle design, content, layout and performance.

"Different customers have different opinions about what makes a quality vehicle," Betts explained. "At Chrysler Group, we define and measure six different types of quality. We've set aggressive internal targets and our progress is starting to show up in third-party surveys as well."

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calf., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on cell phone ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat, S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, Mopar®, SRT and Fiat vehicles and 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 – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. 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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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC