Reinforcing Authenticity Within Acclaimed World WarII Video-game Franchise

Redwood City, Calif.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) and the Jeep� brand announced today that they have signed a deal that will give gamers a chance to experience Jeep vehicles in Medal of Honor Airborne� as they were found in World War II. The classic Willys-Overland Jeep will appear for extended, action-packed sequences in several missions of Medal of Honor Airborne.

Medal of Honor Airborne is the newest installment from EA�s critically-acclaimed Medal of Honor� franchise which was credited with pioneering the First-Person Shooter (FPS) WWII genre when it debuted in 1999, and is the best selling WWII FPS franchise of all time. By fully controlling the airdrop from the very first step through landing, Medal of Honor Airborne adds a new dimension of player choice by letting the player decide where every mission begins and how it plays out. Building on the key tenets of the franchise including historical accuracy, research, and authenticity, for the first time Medal of Honor Airborne will include fully player-drivable vehicles, including the Willys Jeep.

Jeep played an integral role in the war effort as an indispensable tool in tracking the enemy, exchanging information and moving troops. Over 350,000 Willys Jeep vehicles were built and used during WWII, and at one point the assembly line was pushing out one vehicle every 90 seconds. When driving one of the Willys Jeep vehicles in Medal of Honor Airborne, the player can choose to use it as a mode of transportation, or as a mobile attack platform taking full advantage of a variety of mounted weapons. Authentic to their use in WWII, the Willys Jeep will be able to access more areas than the other drivable vehicles featured in Medal of Honor Airborne, because of Jeep vehicle�s superior four-wheel drive off-road capabilities.

“Video games are quickly becoming the medium of choice for a new generation of consumers and Chrysler Group has been at the forefront of this exciting revolution,” said Jay Kuhnie, Director - Jeep Communications, Chrysler Group. “By teaming with Electronic Arts and Medal of Honor Airborne, Jeep is celebrating its history while helping to take this medium to its next level.”

�The Medal of Honor Airborne experience begins with unprecedented freedom of approach from the air. With the addition of the Willys Jeep, that freedom continues on the ground, on road and off, and in combat scenarios of all types.” explained Patrick Gilmore, VP and Executive Producer at EALA. �This is the first time in any Medal of Honor game that a player will have the ability to drive a Willys Jeep, and we�re very excited to see this new addition increase the fun and intensity of the gameplay.�

As the first game in the Medal of Honor series to be released on next generation platforms, Medal of Honor Airborne is being developed under the EA� brand for the PlayStation�3 and PlayStation�2 computer entertainment systems, Xbox 360� videogame system from Microsoft, and Windows PC. Developed by EA Los Angeles (EALA), Medal of Honor Airborne has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information on Medal of Honor Airborne and the Medal of Honor franchise, please visit: http://www.moh.ea.com/. Please visit EA�s press site at http://www.info.ea.com/ for information about all of EA�s games.

About Jeep Brand

The Jeep brand’s 65-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel-drive vehicles with the launch of the all-new Jeep Commander, 2007 Jeep Wrangler, 2007 Jeep Compass and 2007 Jeep Patriot. DaimlerChrysler is inspired by the rich history of Jeep as it looks to grow the brand and business. With the launch of these new models, Jeep demonstrates how everything old is new again as it remains firmly rooted in its brand identity, now updated for 21st Century design and technology.

Sales of Jeep brand products increased 12 percent in 2005 to their highest total since 2000 to 476,532 units compared to 2004 sales of 427,329 units. Jeep Grand Cherokee sales were up 18 percent year-over-year (2005: 213,584 v. 2004: 182,313), while sales of the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler, increased two percent (2005: 79,017 v. 2004: 77,570). The Jeep Liberty led its segment in 2005 with sales of 166,183 units, more than the Ford Escape. The Jeep Commander, the first three-row Jeep SUV, launched in the fall and continues to post strong sales.

About Medal of Honor

First launched in 1999, Medal of Honor has become one of the most popular, celebrated, and influential first-person shooter franchises in the world. Originally conceptualized by Steven Spielberg and inspired during the shooting of the film Saving Private Ryan, Medal of Honor launched a whole genre of World War II games as it became one of the best-selling franchises in the Electronic Arts EA� brand portfolio. Combined sales for the franchise have topped 27million units worldwide making it the best-selling WWII game ever. For more information on the Medal of Honor series, please visit http://www.moh.ea.com/.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS�, EA�, EA SPORTS BIG� and POGO�. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, POGO and Medal of Honor Airborne are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Medal of Honor is a trademark or registered trademark of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries for computer and video game products. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Truck Trends just posted a road test of the hand-built prototype SRT-8 Grand Cherokee - a run up Pikes peak, no less.

Here’s a bit to get you started…

Last Up Pikes Peak: Driving the First Grand Cherokee SRT8 Up an Infamous Mountain for the Last Time

I glanced at a sheet of paper handed to me just moments before. It was a course map of the Hill Climb. Trying to memorize it, even with enough time, would be like remembering every nuance of a foot-long spider-web crack in a windshield. “This is worthless to me,” I thought. The Australian writer in the back seat urged me to keep in mind that I was the only one in the Jeep wearing a helmet. Doing my best to reassure him, I said that I too had a one-year-old daughter waiting for me at home and that I would only drive what I could see…

Full story over at Truck Trends (opens a new window)

* Robotics, lean dies and material flow improve quality, productivity and worker ergonomics
* 2007 Jeep Compass appeals to new buyers with competitive pricing

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 30, 2006

The Chrysler Group today announced the manufacturing launch of the all-new Jeep Compass at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The plant, which was extensively retooled in 2005, has become a flagship for Chrysler Group’s adoption of flexible manufacturing.

Flexible manufacturing is allowing the Company to bring its new vehicles to market more quickly and the Belvidere Assembly Plant to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line. Production of the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber began there in January 2006, while the 2007 Jeep Patriot is scheduled to begin later this fall.

“We are now starting to see the results of the new flexible manufacturing process that we believe is a competitive advantage for the Chrysler Group,” said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. “Thanks to Belvidere’s ability to build multiple models off one assembly line, we expect the Jeep Compass production to cost significantly less than the initial investment we made in the plant to build the Dodge Caliber.”

Robotics

At the core of the new manufacturing process is a body shop comprised of robots instead of the dedicated tooling that was previously used. Belvidere is Chrysler Group’s first assembly plant to use a body shop comprised entirely of robotics. Only the robots’ end affectors, or “hands,” need to change in order to build the different models. That tool change is done automatically, within the time it takes to cycle from one vehicle to the next. In addition, the Belvidere plant is flexible enough to vary the production mix between three products anywhere from 0 to 100 percent of each model. A fourth model can also be piloted, or test-built at the same time, helping reduce the time needed to make new-model changeovers. The new body shop and other upgrades are part of a $419 million total Belvidere investment announced in 2005.

Many other changes are also taking place within the Chrysler Group manufacturing process to accommodate the multiple models. For example, new ways to make the required amount of stamping dies are saving the company up to 60 percent on the cost of those dies.

Material Flow

New methods of material handling are being implemented to manage the complexity of three models being built on one assembly line. The inbound parts sequencing center manages more than 1,800 different parts that are used in the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber build process. In addition to sequencing, this center provides parts metering, kitting and container management to the Belvidere Assembly Plant and delivers complete subassemblies just-in-time to the manufacturing floor.

A tunnel connects the 500,000 square-foot sequencing center to the Belvidere Assembly Plant. This facility, operated by TDS/US � one of Chrysler Group�s largest minority-owned suppliers � represents the highest level of integration within a Chrysler Group plant. TDS/US organizes parts, puts them in �kits� for individual work stations and delivers them to the end of a connecting tunnel for Belvidere employees to transport to the manufacturing floor. This process maintains in-plant stocks at optimal levels, minimizes delivery time and reduces costs an estimated 12 percent a year compared with the previous process. By carefully managing the material flow at the plant, the sequencing center helps workers focus on manufacturing quality and allows Belvidere to remain one of the most efficient manufacturing examples in the Chrysler Group family.

These pre-assembled modules reduce the number of components required to assemble the Jeep Compass
and Dodge Caliber, improving quality, productivity and worker ergonomics.

SMART

A new workplace organizational model, coined SMART manufacturing, is increasing the flexibility of the Belvidere workforce, while fostering greater creativity and innovation from plant employees. This model is being implemented throughout Chrysler Group’s Manufacturing organization. In addition to extensive training, the new workplace model lets employees design their own work stations. These changes provide a better work environment for employees and give increased support to assembly line team members.

“Belvidere Assembly is running on all cylinders,” said Kurt Kavajecz, Plant Manager � Belvidere Assembly Plant. “In the first half of 2006, we added a second shift and started production of the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber. In addition, we’re getting ready to launch the Jeep Patriot in a few months and have recently announced the addition of a third shift, approximately 1,000 new jobs. Our new workplace organization model, in which employees work in small teams, has fostered greater creativity and innovation on the plant floor and made for a very smooth process.”

Jeep Compass

The 2007 Jeep Compass is an all-new modern-styled compact Jeep vehicle that delivers fun, freedom, utility, excellent fuel efficiency and Jeep 4×4 capability � all at a terrific value. With a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,985, including a $560 destination charge, Jeep Compass combines the packaging and functionality of a sport-utility vehicle with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup truck. Jeep Compass is designed to appeal to new buyers who might not have previously considered a Jeep vehicle.

The Chrysler Group is the city of Belvidere’s largest employer and has a significant impact on the community with 2,885 employees throughout Illinois who generate $188 million in annual wages (year-end 2005). The 3.7 million square-foot Belvidere Assembly Plant employs approximately 2,650 people. Union members are represented by United Auto Worker’s Union Locals 1268 and 1761. The plant began production of the Plymouth Fury and Doge Monaco in 1965. The Chrysler Group will implement its flexible manufacturing process in its Sterling Heights (Mich.) and St. Louis South (Fenton, Mo.) Assembly Plants next.

* This will be Camp Jeep’s first visit to Road America
* About 7,000 Jeep fans from across the U.S. are expected to attend
* Attendees save $50 by registering before June 15
* Special events include the National Anthem Project and an air show of WWII aircraft

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 25, 2006 -

Camp Jeep�, the off-road driving and activity-filled event for Jeep vehicle owners and their families, will be held for the first time ever at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., August 10-12, 2006.

From across America, more than 7,000 devotees of Jeep vehicles and the Jeep lifestyle are expected to participate in the event, along with their estimated 1,800 Jeep vehicles. This is the 12th year of Camp Jeep.

“Camp Jeep is the ultimate destination for owners who are truly passionate about their Jeep vehicles,” said John Plecha, Director, Jeep Marketing and Global Communications. “Camp Jeep gives them the opportunity to share the ‘go anywhere/do anything’ attitude of Jeep with family and friends from across America.”

Camp Jeep attendees will be able to test drive three all-new vehicles: the 2007 Jeep Compass, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. The all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot will be on display. New this year are thrill rides in the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 8 and a rally course for the Jeep Compass. Back for the second year in a row will be a special exhibition by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, plus the Jeep King of the Mountain Professional Bike World Championship.

Yet, what keeps Jeep owners coming back year after year are the opportunities to drive Jeep vehicles off-road and the nearly 150 family-oriented outdoor activities that tap into the Jeep lifestyle of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. Among the many popular activities:

* 4×4 off-road trails, ranging from scenic to difficult
* For those who want pre-trail training, there will be the Trail Rated� Off-Road Course, where owners learn off-road driving skills by navigating steep grades, large rocks, log crossings, sand and other obstacles
* Engineering Village is where Jeep owners can talk to Jeep engineers about every aspect of their vehicles
* The Camp Kids Village will feature arts and crafts for youngsters and a driving course with miniature Jeep vehicles
* A variety of outdoor adventure sports are slated for the Sports & Adventure Village, including a 60-foot Adventure Tower, rock climbing, hiking, fly-casting, scuba diving and more
* The 65-year history of Jeep — complete with memorabilia and vintage vehicles dating back to WW II — will be in the World of Jeep Village

Two events will bring even more excitement to this year’s Camp Jeep.

There will be a 45-minute air show over Camp Jeep featuring rare WWII aircraft on Friday, August 11.

Also, the National Anthem Project, sponsored by Jeep, will make a special stop at Camp Jeep as part of a 50-city nationwide tour. The �National Anthem Project: Restoring America�s Voice� is a multi-year national education initiative to re-teach Americans the words to �The Star-Spangled Banner.� The display will feature a patriotic-themed Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as interactive activities that teach about the historical significance of the national anthem. Camp Jeep attendees can sign up for the National Anthem Project All-Star Contest, in which one winner from each state will be awarded a $1,000 donation to their local music program and given the opportunity to perform at a concert in Washington, D.C. in 2007.

Jeep vehicle owners who register by June 15 pay $345 per vehicle to attend. After that date, registration is $395. Those who refer a friend who registers will receive a $25 discount card to be used at the Jeep Store on site. This popular venue is where Jeep gear and Camp Jeep merchandise is sold. When attendees refer four or more friends who register, all will receive a $50 refund in the mail after the event.

Additional information is at www.jeep.com/campjeep.

The Jeep brand has seven models this year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the 65-year history of Jeep vehicles. The expansion of the Jeep brand has taken place in just two years. At the start of 2004, the brand’s trio of tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler.

In 2005 the Jeep Commander — the first Jeep vehicle with seven-passenger seating — was introduced. This year, the redesigned Wrangler 2-door was unveiled. Also debuting this year are three all-new Jeep vehicles: the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass — both of which provide Jeep 4×4 capability along with excellent fuel economy, safety and interior flexibility at a great value — and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first-ever four-door Wrangler.

“The Jeep brand is on a product offensive and we will continue to grow with new offerings that leverage Jeep’s legendary 4×4 leadership,” said Plecha. “We’re solidifiing the Jeep brand’s foundation with the bigger, more powerful all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited — while also strengthening the brand to reach new customers in the growing compact SUV segment with the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass.”

For more info on Road America, the track layout and camping info, click here >>> Road America track layouts and camping maps

The Range Rover gains an all-new TDV8 diesel engine for the 2007 model year. The new engine increases maximum power by more than 50%, to 272 bhp, compared with the outgoing straight-six diesel’s 177. It cuts the SUV�s 0-60 mph figure by over four seconds, but has the same fuel economy as the outgoing diesel (25.1 mpg combined average). The new engine is matched to the six-speed ZF �intelligent shift� automatic transmission already used on gasoline Range Rover models.

Added technologies in the 2007 range include Land Rover�s Terrain Response drive control system, an electronic park brake and electronic rear �e� differential. The vehicle�s cabin gains extra storage, different finishes and more effective air-conditioning, and the option of cooled front seats.

It’s a great time to be a fuel-wise ‘baller or pimp, I guess…because let’s face it. Those of us worried about the rising price of fuel are in no place to afford a rig like this, unfortunately.

JILL SCOTT, A GEOCACHER FROM OGDEN, UTAH, STUDIES HER GPS UNIT TO FIND A HIDDEN CACHE. GEOCACHERS ARE ASKED TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES TO HELP THEM MINIMIZE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AS THEY HIDE AND SEEK.

Marrying high-tech gadgets with rugged outdoor travel, geocaching has become one of the hottest new forms of recreation. But some are warning that its popularity will take a toll on the nation�s public land if not done responsibly.

In geocaching, participants use global positioning systems (GPS) to direct them to hidden treasures or �caches.� Caches are usually low-priced trinkets and are most often placed in backcountry settings. There are at least 250,000 caches hidden throughout the world on any given day.

- Unwanted tire tracks, damaged vegetation and disrupted wildlife can be harsh consequences of irresponsible geocaching,� said Patti Klein, National Stewardship Coordinator for the Bureau of Land Management. �We encourage geocachers to check with their local land manager for regulations and practice minimum impact behavior at all times.�

“Tread Lightly!,” a nonprofit organization that educates people to recreate responsibly, recently released tips to help geocachers minimize their impact on the outdoors.

TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE GEOCACHING
- Check with local land managers to determine regulations before placing or searching for a cache. The National Park Service, for example, has strict geocaching regulations.
- Keep vehicles on designated roads and trails.
- Use the �track back� feature on your GPS unit rather than flagging and marking trails.
- In addition to your GPS receiver, always carry extra batteries, a map, compass and know how to use them.
- Practice the �lift, look, replace� technique. If you lift a rock to look under it, replace it exactly as you found it.
- Following a trip, wash your gear to reduce the spread of invasive species.
- Traditional geocaching is not appropriate in areas designated as Wilderness.

CACHE PLACERS
- Avoid sensitive areas including cultural sites, wetlands, caves and steep slopes.
- Avoid burying a cache in the ground.
- It is the cache owner’s responsibility to maintain the cache and the surrounding area. If the cache area becomes impacted, confer with the landowner on how you will mitigate the impacts, and seek their advice as to whether to relocate the cache.
- Never place food items in a cache.

CACHE SEEKERS
- Use maps to find a route that will minimize impact.
- If you notice a path has started to wear in the vicinity of a cache, notify the cache owner via email.
- When allowed to hike off designated trails, spread out in open country. One exception is in deserts, where hikers should travel in single file and try to walk on hardened surfaces such as slickrock, gravel or in sand washes.
- After you�ve finished searching for a cache, the area should look as though you were never there or better than when you arrived.

“It is important for the worldwide geocaching community to tread lightly on the environment in order to maintain the natural beauty of our outdoor resources,� said Bryan Roth, Co-Founder and Vice President of geocaching.com, the web�s dominant geocaching site.

Geocaching.com also created a program called �Cache In, Trash Out� to help the sport make a positive impression on public land. Further information can be found on their website.

Additional tips for responsible geocaching are available on Tread Lightly!�s website at Tread Lightly or by calling 1-800-966-9900.

WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS: Do�s and Don�ts of Driving in the Outdoors

Truck, SUV, and ATV owners are hitting the backcountry roads by the millions. But without a code of ethics, the environment can be seriously damaged.

With the explosion of off-highway vehicle sales in the last few years, more and more Americans are wanting to take their SUVs and trucks out to scale more than just their office parking garage.

Four wheeling in the backcountry can be a great way to bond with nature and the family, but it can have a damaging effect on the environment if not done responsibly. The need for this type of education has become greater since the US Forest Service�s recent proposal to close all motorized recreation to trails clearly designated for motorized use.

The national nonprofit organization called Tread Lightly! provides some practical tips to minimize impact on the outdoors while driving off-highway.

STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS: Drive only on trails designated for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. Never make your own shortcuts, switchbacks or trails. To find OHV trails, contact your local land management agency�like the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or National Park Service.

RIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL: Always ride in the middle of the trail to avoid widening it and destroying vegetation along the roadside.

CROSS STREAMS ONLY AT FORDING POINTS: If you must cross a stream, do so only at trail fording points (usually where the trail crosses the water). Cross slowly and at a 90-degree angle.

DON’T CROSS PRIVATE LAND WITHOUT PERMISSION: Always contact the landowner for permission to cross private land.

CROSS OBSTACLES AT AN ANGLE: You may come upon obstacles on a trail, such as fallen trees. Driving around them can destroy vegetation surrounding the trail, so sometimes it�s best to move the object or drive over it. Cross obstacles at an angle, one wheel at a time.

IF POSSIBLE, DON’T RIDE IN MUD: If you can, avoid mud or soft soil while remaining on the road or trail.

PLAN AND PREPARE BEFORE YOU GO: Obtain a map and contact your local land management agency to develop a route that is safe, legal and within the limitations of your vehicle.

DON’T LITTER ON THE TRAIL: Leave the area a little better than how you found it by picking up your trash and others�.

For more information on ways to minimize outdoor impacts, Tread Lightly! can be reached at www.treadlightly.org or by calling (800) 966-9900.

Let’s get the credits out of the way first:

I saw this earlier today while checking out Jalopnik’s posts from the weekend. They didn’t MAKE the vid, but the credits for that are IN THE VID, so that’s covered.

Now, while it’s always cool to watch high-dollar rides like Corvette’s and Porches and Mercedes burn several thousand miles from their rear tires in a few seconds, it’s a rare treat when an Impreza STi joins the fun, is driven by someone who knows what to do, and ends up spinning on the spot.

…and for good measure, the all-wheel-drive wonder ends up in the grass…

BUT, the REAL reason for this post is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. This thing is a monster - plain and simple. Smoke now - stop, start again. The driver controls it all like flipping a switch.

At one point a marshall tells them to stop, it appears - that doesn’t last, but they break (brake?) when the interior fills with smoke and they need to figure out which way to point the truck…LOL

Click HERE for the vid - and enjoy! It’s a great 4+ minutes! Depending on your connection, it might take a minute or two to download, so please be patient.

Truly one worth watching.

Thanks to the One Lap of America gang for doing this, the guys who made the vid and Jalopnik for making it part of my morning.

Just to be clear, a friend of mine originally wrote this review for his magazine - it’s good reading if you want to learn about the real-world on & off-road capabilities packed into the FJ Cruiser.

Sure, some things are hokey - WTF is with that gauge pod on the dash? How do you say, “Put down the bong” in Japanese? I mean, I know why I put one in my old Cherokee (lifted 4″, MTRs, armoured, etc.) and it was useful - but let’s be real - it looks like an after-thought in the FJ and an attempt to “grab some trail-cred”.

Haven’t seen that level of obvious “trying” since GM let loose the H3 and said IT was almost as capable off-road as the original H1 - still laughing at that.

That said, other than some styling WTFs, it appears this is another in the long line of very capable off-roaders from Toyota.

Legendary is a word that aptly describes the Toyota Land Cruiser. While not the oldest of the down-sized 4×4 brands, it is probably the most recognized worldwide. The Land Cruiser started life in 1951 as the BJ, though mass production of this model didn�t start until 1953. The BJ enjoyed a solid five-year run through the �50s. Its replacement in 1958 is the vehicle we�re all familiar with � the FJ Series, starting with the FJ 25. The venerable FJ40 is certainly one of the most long-lived designs of the Toyota 4×4 brand in its history, running for over 25 years. It is interesting to see the historical demand for the Land Cruiser brand. It took from 1958 to 1980 to sell the first 1 million Land Cruisers (22 years). In the span of the next 10 years they sold another 1 million Land Cruisers. Then from 1990 to 2003, a span of only 13 years, Toyota sold 2 million additional Land Cruisers! This matches the previous 32 years of production.

It�s no wonder then that Toyota would like to parlay its experience and tradition to come up with a truly modern, capable and affordable four-wheeler.

Read the full review at can4×4.com.

(Opens a new window)

Chrysler Group to Add Third Shift to Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant

Two New Shifts, Three New Vehicles for Illinois Plant

* Third shift adds approximately 1,000 new jobs in July
* New workplace organization fosters creativity, empowers assembly line operators
* New employees will add to the $188 million in annual wages in the state

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 10, 2006 -

The Chrysler Group today announced that manufacturing operations at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant will be expanded to include a third work shift beginning in July 2006. The new shift will add approximately 1,000 new jobs to the 2,650-employee facility. While some of the jobs will be filled with current Chrysler Group employees from other facilities, a majority of the jobs are expected to be filled with new hires.

The Belvidere plant started building the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber in January 2006 and will begin production of the all-new Jeep� Compass this month. Production of the all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot will begin later this year. The plant is flexible enough to vary the production mix between the three products anywhere from 0 to 100 percent of each model.

“We have seen a very positive initial consumer response to the Dodge Caliber and we anticipate a similar reception for the Jeep Compass and Patriot,” said Tom LaSorda, President and Chief Executive Officer � Chrysler Group. “We have already demonstrated how a flexible, highly productive workforce producing high-quality vehicles can bring consumers more of the vehicles they desire in today’s competitive market. That same formula is working at Belvidere.”

Belvidere, the former Dodge Neon plant, added its second shift in March. The employees are working under a new organizational model designed to foster greater creativity and innovation by providing greater support and authority to assembly line operators. The plant was retooled to build the three new models with a $419 million investment in late 2005.

“It is quite a challenge to launch three new models and two new shifts but the Belvidere team is taking on that challenge,” said Kurt Kavajecz, Plant Manager � Belvidere Assembly Plant. “We are honored to have been selected to implement many new manufacturing processes and to be the home of these great products.”

The Chrysler Group is the city of Belvidere’s largest employer and has a significant impact on the community with 2,885 employees throughout Illinois who generate $188 million in annual wages. The 3.6 million square-foot Belvidere plant currently has 2,650 employees represented by UAW Locals 1268 and 1761. The plant was the productivity leader in its segment according to the Harbour Report North America 2005.

Editor’s Note: Job candidates interested in working at the Belvidere Assembly Plants should apply electronically at www.dcchourlyjobs.com. Applicants are asked not to go to the plant in person or call the plant directly. To be considered, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Candidates will be required to complete a multi-step qualification process and will be contacted after they have applied online.