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Daily News Update from Chrysler Group
January 6, 2011

Below is a sample of news articles about the Chrysler Group for Jan. 6, 2011. Today's summary includes these reports:

Chrysler's Big 2011
Detroit carmakers post robust sales increases
Chrysler reclaims minivan sales crown
Town & Country has the look and feel of something special
'Best of the Best' in 2011 includes Jeep Grand Cherokee
10 most anticipated cars for 2011
Sales winners, losers surprise in 2010
Surprise winners (and losers) in the fight for a spot in your driveway

Chrysler's Big 2011, CNBC.com, Jan. 5
o After more than a year of quietly taking important steps to get Chrysler breathing again, CEO Sergio Marchionne is making it clear this is the year the company will take some big steps, CNBC.com reported. Since taking control of Chrysler, Marchionne has guided a slow but steady turnaround, the cable network said. With a recovering auto market and a fresh line-up rolling into showrooms, Chrysler finally has a chance to truly win over buyers, the report said. Last year (through November), Chrysler boosted sales 16.5%, with Jeep sales shooting up 23.4 percent, the network said. And that's with just a fraction of Chrysler's refreshed or new line-up in showrooms, the report said.

Detroit carmakers post robust sales increases, New York Times, Jan. 5
o The domestic auto ended the year with an 11 percent increase in sales in the United States over December 2009, and much of the gain was achieved without the help of big incentives and despite slight rises in fuel prices, suggesting that consumers are becoming better able to afford new cars and trucks, the New York Times said. Both General Motors and Ford said independently that total sales in 2011 could reach 13.5 million, the Times said. Chrysler had the best December among the domestic automakers, with a 16 percent increase in sales spurred by the success of its redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Times said.

Chrysler reclaims minivan sales crown, WardsAuto.com, Jan. 4
o Chrysler Group LLC adds two nameplates to the industry?s 100,000-unit sales club, both of which are minivans, returning the auto maker to dominance in the segment it established, WardsAuto.com said. The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan ranked second and third, respectively, as the pentastar company?s highest-volume products with full-year deliveries of 112,745 and 103,323, according to Ward?s data. Chrysler?s minivans were in a dogfight much of the year with the new-for-?11 Honda Odyssey, segment sales leader in the U.S. since 2008, the article said.

Town & Country has the look and feel of something special, Detroit News, Jan. 6
o Chrysler, the minivan creator, has just made the minivan better with its creme-de-la-creme 2011 Town & Country, which first appeared 22 years ago, the Detroit News said. While technically a refreshing, the makeover is as thorough as they come, the News said. From the suspension and the sheet metal to the interior and powertrain, the 2011 Town & Country is more new than old, the paper said. More importantly, this minivan has the feel and look of something special, the News said. The Town & Country excels at being extremely comfortable and offers nearly every amenity a parent ? and a child ? could want, the review said. "The new 2011 Town & Country simply provides all the utility and just a touch more class along the way," the News said.

'Best of the Best' in 2011 includes Jeep Grand Cherokee, Autoweek, Jan. 5
o Beginning with 2011, AutoWeek magazine will name the car and truck considered to be the best among the new crop of vehicles, the editors said. This year, one stood out above all others for our first Best of the Best/Truck award: the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the editors said. It's capable, it builds on the long-held strength of the iconic brand, and in a new twist, it's downright luxurious, Autoweek said. Our staff gave it consistent high marks for the interior, the article said. With a clearly evolutionary design, this new rock crawler looks similar to but sharper than its predecessors and stands out in the street, the magazine said. For all of its power and luxury, this vehicle still hangs its hat on ability, which it has in spades, the review said. The Grand Cherokee is clearly a gem of a vehicle, Autoweek said.

10 most anticipated cars for 2011, Automopedia.org, Jan. 5
o Offerings from the major auto makers in 2011 look to be some of the most stylish (and technologically advanced) vehicles to come off a production line since Tucker introduced moving headlights and automatic wipers, Automopedia.org said. Among the new cars that the Automopedia staff is excited about in 2011 is the Dodge Charger. Chrysler-Fiat has redesigned the Charger for 2011, curving the fenders and upgrading interior, making it a new day for Dodge, the website said. The auto maker is going for a more hardcore look with this sedan, the article said. Get Dodge in your target and you will not be disappointed by the experience, the website said. Other cars to watch in 2011, according to the website, are: Chevrolet Volt, Buick Regal GS, Ford Mustang, Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Sonata, Land Rover Evoque, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen New Beetle and Volvo S60.

Sales winners, losers surprise in 2010, USA Today, Jan. 5
o Not only did 2010 see a modest bounce back for the auto industry, but it also saw a shakeup, USA Today said. Here are some of some of the paper's favorite shakeups:
- Chevrolet Camaro thumps Ford Mustang. It's the first time that Camaro beat its rival since 1985.
- Ford F-Series comes back. This year saw a 27 percent sales increase that solidified its place as No. 1. More than 500,000 were sold.
- Chrysler Town and Country wallops Honda Odyssey. The Chrysler upended the Odyssey by 112,275 to 108,182. The sister vehicle, Dodge Grand Caravan, sold another 103,323.
-Insight nailed by Prius. Honda sold 20,962 Insights; Toyota sold 140,928 Priuses.

Surprise winners (and losers) in the fight for a spot in your driveway, Forbes, Jan. 4
o Amid all the industry turmoil of the past couple of years, there have been some massive swings in market share, Forbes said. Ford picked up 1.3 points of market share, making it the biggest gainer of 2010, the magazine said. Ford?s increase was nearly matched by Toyota?s 1.7-point share decline, as it struggled to cope with a rash of quality recalls, Forbes said. 2010 should have been a golden opportunity for Honda to gain ground in the U.S., yet despite uncharacteristically high incentives, Honda instead saw its market share fall from 10 percent to 9.5 percent, the magazine said. Overall, GM lost share last year, falling from 19.8 percent to 19.1 percent for the year, but that?s because it got rid of four brands (Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer) which accounted for 2.6 points of lost share, Forbes said. Another surprise winner was Chrysler - its Jeep brand gained 0.3 points of market share on the strength of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the report said. ?The Jeep brand continues to be the best thing Chrysler has going,? Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Karl