News Release - Chrysler Group Statement on Child Safety Seats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2007

Family of Chicago Bank Robbery Victim Drives Away with the First All-new Dodge Grand Caravan in Chicagoland

Chicago, Ill. – Surrounded by 160 dealers waiting to drive-away the first all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country minivan, Chrysler Group LLC and the Chicago Dodge Dealer Ad Association donated the first 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan in metro-Chicago to the family of Tramaine Gibson, Sr., age 23, the bank teller killed during the Illinois Federal Savings bank robbery on May 22.

“Having this Dodge Grand Caravan is a tremendous blessing to us,” said Ashley Gibson, Tramaine Gibson’s widow. “We are a family of seven with two small children requiring car seats so traveling can be difficult. In the past, we have either had to take two separate vehicles or rent a minivan. So, we thank God and the entire Chrysler Corporation for this blessing.”

Tramaine Gibson was a teller at the Illinois Federal Savings bank while he attended Westwood College part-time, majoring in criminal justice. He was a husband and father of two young children (ages 1 and 2) and an active member in his church, ministering to the youth and the community.

“The New Chrysler and all of the Chicagoland dealers gathered here believe that the Gibson family should not have to worry about transportation for their family, which is why we are so proud to provide them with the virtual ‘family room on wheels’, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan,” said Rich Ruscitti, Sr., Dealer Principal at South Chicago Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge and president of the Chicago Dodge Dealer Ad Association.

Since inventing the modern minivan in 1983, Chrysler has sold more than 12 million minivans and revolutionized the segment. The new 2008 models boast more than 35 new or improved features like the Swivel & Go™ seat system and the industry-first SIRIUS Backseat TV®, making the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country perfect for families on the go.

“Chicago has been pivotal to Chrysler’s success in the minivan market over the years, which is why we felt that before we let our dealers drive away with the new 2008 models, we needed to first put one in the hands of a deserving Chicago family like the Gibsons,” said Lewis Scott, Director of the Chrysler Midwest Business Center.
Chrysler learned of the Gibsons through the local nonprofit organization When Daddy Goes To Heaven, which sponsors families who have lost a parent, providing emotional, financial and educational assistance to the surviving family members.

In addition to the new minivan, Chrysler’s SEATCHECK campaign donated two Graco ComfortSport™ Convertible Car Seats so that the Gibson children can be safely restrained in the car.

Chrysler works with NHTSA, Graco Children’s Products Inc. and AAA in efforts to raise awareness about SEATCHECK. In addition to the free inspection locator service, the Web site www.seatcheck.org offers parents useful information on keeping kids safe in motor vehicles. Since 2002, SeatCheck has successfully linked thousands of parents with certified inspectors convenient to them. The SeatCheck Web site averages 370,000 hits a month and the phone hotline receives more than 1,000 calls per month.
The New Chrysler, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over 2005. On the heels of the company’s record product launch year (Chrysler launched 10 all-new vehicles in 2006), the company plans to extend that streak with eight all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and Dodge Charger. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, gave $23.6 million in grants in 2006. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management.

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			News Release 8/23/2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2007 Family of Chicago Bank Robbery Victim Drives Away with the First All-new Dodge Grand Caravan in Chicagoland Chicago, Ill. – Surrounded by 160 dealers waiting to drive-away the first all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country minivan, Chrysler Group LLC and the Chicago Dodge Dealer Ad Association donated the first 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan in metro-Chicago to the family of Tramaine Gibson, Sr., age 23, the bank teller killed during the Illinois Federal Savings bank robbery on May 22. “Having this Dodge Grand Caravan is a tremendous blessing to us,” said Ashley Gibson, Tramaine Gibson’s widow. “We are a family of seven with two small children requiring car seats so traveling can be difficult. In the past, we have either had to take two separate vehicles or rent a minivan. So, we thank God and the entire Chrysler Corporation for this blessing.” Tramaine Gibson was a teller at the Illinois Federal Savings bank while he attended Westwood College part-time, majoring in criminal justice. He was a husband and father of two young children (ages 1 and 2) and an active member in his church, ministering to the youth and the community. “The New Chrysler and all of the Chicagoland dealers gathered here believe that the Gibson family should not have to worry about transportation for their family, which is why we are so proud to provide them with the virtual ‘family room on wheels’, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan,” said Rich Ruscitti, Sr., Dealer Principal at South Chicago Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge and president of the Chicago Dodge Dealer Ad Association. Since inventing the modern minivan in 1983, Chrysler has sold more than 12 million minivans and revolutionized the segment. The new 2008 models boast more than 35 new or improved features like the Swivel & Go™ seat system and the industry-first SIRIUS Backseat TV®, making the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country perfect for families on the go. “Chicago has been pivotal to Chrysler’s success in the minivan market over the years, which is why we felt that before we let our dealers drive away with the new 2008 models, we needed to first put one in the hands of a deserving Chicago family like the Gibsons,” said Lewis Scott, Director of the Chrysler Midwest Business Center. Chrysler learned of the Gibsons through the local nonprofit organization When Daddy Goes To Heaven, which sponsors families who have lost a parent, providing emotional, financial and educational assistance to the surviving family members. In addition to the new minivan, Chrysler’s SEATCHECK campaign donated two Graco ComfortSport™ Convertible Car Seats so that the Gibson children can be safely restrained in the car. Chrysler works with NHTSA, Graco Children’s Products Inc. and AAA in efforts to raise awareness about SEATCHECK. In addition to the free inspection locator service, the Web site www.seatcheck.org offers parents useful information on keeping kids safe in motor vehicles. Since 2002, SeatCheck has successfully linked thousands of parents with certified inspectors convenient to them. The SeatCheck Web site averages 370,000 hits a month and the phone hotline receives more than 1,000 calls per month. The New Chrysler, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over 2005. On the heels of the company’s record product launch year (Chrysler launched 10 all-new vehicles in 2006), the company plans to extend that streak with eight all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and Dodge Charger. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, gave $23.6 million in grants in 2006. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management. -###-

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