Feature News

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 24 /PRNewswire/ --

• The prestigious award recognizes Chrysler's continued support for the nation's Guard and Reserve
• Major Jose Soto Perez, Kokomo, Ind. employee who is currently on active duty at Camp Basra in Iraq, nominated Chrysler for the employer award
• The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. The award was established to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support

Chrysler LLC has been awarded the prestigious Indiana Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for its continued support of the Guard and Reserve. Major Jose Soto Perez, maintenance area supervisor at Chrysler's Kokomo, Indiana facility, submitted Chrysler as a candidate for this honor. Employed by Chrysler since June 2000, Major Perez is currently on active duty at Camp Basra in Iraq.

The ESGR award was presented to Chrysler during the organization's Annual Planning and Awards banquet in Indianapolis on Friday, March 20, 2009. Brian Garrison, Kokomo plant manager, accepted the award on behalf of Major Perez.

"Chrysler has really gone above and beyond to support Guard and Reserve members like myself," said Major Perez. "I'm honored to be employed by a company like Chrysler because it truly supports its military employees through its actions."

Established in 1972, the ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. It was established to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support. The nation's Reserve components (referring to the total of all National Guard members and Reserve forces from all branches of the military) comprise approximately 48 percent of our total available military manpower. The Reserve forces spend more time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain their mission readiness. In this environment, civilian employers play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component.

"We are extremely honored to be nominated by Major Jose Perez who is currently serving our country in Iraq," said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli. "This distinguished award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve demonstrates the pride our employees have in working for Chrysler, knowing that our Company is committed to 'Honoring Those Who Serve' for the sacrifices they are making. Chrysler is proud to provide military-friendly benefits and policies such as maintaining full wages and benefits while these courageous men and women are on active duty and providing the same status, pay and benefits upon their return to Chrysler. We thank Major Perez for his dedication to Chrysler and to his country."

Nardelli accepted the 2008 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award on behalf of Chrysler LLC in September 2008. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Honoring Those Who Serve

Chrysler has a long tradition of support for the U.S. military that stretches back to the creation of the Jeep(R) vehicle prior to WWII and continues today. As a part of its participation in Military Appreciation Month in May 2008, Chrysler announced its military support initiative, "Honoring Those Who Serve," to recognize those men and women who serve in our armed forces. The initiative consists of three components: Employment, Transportation and Community.

Employment: Chrysler is partnering with the Departments of Defense and Labor and Veterans Affairs to bring current and former members of the military together with the Company, its dealers and suppliers to find suitable career opportunities as they transition to civilian life. The Company created a Web site for those looking for career opportunities at www.ChryslerHonoringThoseWhoServe.com.

Transportation: The Company continues to offer military-only discounts, benefits and warranties on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products. Through March, military-only discounts include employee pricing, plus cash rebate, plus low APR and an additional $500 military discount plus a 3-year maintenance contract.

Community: Chrysler joined America Supports You (ASY), a Department of Defense program that connects nonprofit support groups with military people and their families. The Company is currently working with two ASY home-front groups - The Freedom Calls Foundation and Operation Gratitude. Along with Operation Gratitude, Chrysler recently presented an all-new Jeep Liberty with a custom-painted mural to Cpl. Michael Gallagher, at Fort Lewis, Wash., on July 1, 2008. Gallagher originally received the vehicle keys in one of the 300,000 Operation Gratitude care packages that were delivered in December 2007 while on duty in Iraq.

About Chrysler LLC

Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2008 were 2 million vehicles. Outside of North America, 2008 was the second-best sales year in the last decade and the third-best ever for Chrysler International. Chrysler LLC's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and Dodge Challenger and Ram. Reinforcing a commitment to bring to market a broad array of advanced electric vehicles across all its brands, Chrysler has introduced five electric-drive vehicle prototypes since the fall of 2008. At least one of these vehicles will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, with European market production later, and at least three more models will follow by 2013.

The Chrysler Foundation, the Company's philanthropic arm, annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In 2008, the Foundation gave approximately $21 million in charitable donations.