National Magazines Recognize Wrangler Rubicon for Capability, Refinement

• Wrangler Rubicon wins 4-Wheel & Off-Road's 2007 4x4 of the Year competition

• Four Wheeler names Wrangler Rubicon 2007 Four Wheeler of the Year

• Wrangler Unlimited recognized by Popular Science as a 19th Annual "Best of What's New" Chrysler Group's all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Unlimited have notched a trio of prestigious national awards within two weeks - the latest recognition in Jeep Wrangler's 65-year storied history. "These awards are a testament not only to the combination of rugged capability and refinement of the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, but also to the talent and dedication of the people who created them," said Mike Donoughe, Vice President - Body-on-frame Product Team, Chrysler Group. "We're very proud to have been recognized with not one, but three of the most prestigious awards in our business." On Oct. 31, 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine announced that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ranked tops among eight competitors for 4x4 of the Year, using a 1,000-mile test of each vehicle's suspension, engine, transmission and transfer case. Consideration was also given to style and creature comforts. 2007 marked the magazine's 25th annual evaluation for 4x4 of the Year. This was the 11th time that a Jeep vehicle has won the award. On Nov. 1, Four Wheeler magazine named the Wrangler Rubicon winner of the Four Wheeler of the Year award for 2007, besting a field of seven new sport-utility vehicles. The week-long competition incorporated a 1,000-mile test drive on city streets, gravel roads, desert dunes and rocky trails at elevations ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. Test criteria measured on- and off-road performance, interior refinements, safety features and exterior fit and finish. The magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year competition has been held annually since 1974. This week, Popular Science magazine named the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as one of only 10 automotive winners in the "Best of What's New" for 2007. Every year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and technologies, narrowing its focus to the 100 most impressive advancements in 10 categories, including gadgets, computing, engineering, recreation and automotive. More information about the competitions and awards will be available in the February issues of 4-Wheel & Off-Road and Four Wheeler, and the December issue of Popular Science. Jeep Brand
  Overall, sales of Jeep brand vehicles increased 12 percent in 2005 to their highest total since 2000 to 476,532 units compared with 2004 sales of 427,329 units. Internationally, Jeep brand sales grew 15 percent to 84,019 units in 2005 from 73,060 units in 2004. Jeep, one of the most recognized brands in the world, is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2006. In 1941, the Willys-Overland company delivered to the U.S. Army 1,500 light reconnaissance vehicles called the Willys Quad. Improved vehicles were called the MA and MB, but eventually, those vehicles came to be known simply as the Jeep. More than 368,000 were built for use during World War II.