FCA US Captures Motor Trend's 2019 SUV, Truck and Person of the Year Awards

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• Jeep® Wrangler is 2019 SUV of the Year®
• Ram 1500 is 2019 Truck of the Year®
• Sergio Marchionne honored posthumously with 2019 Person of the Year Award
• Motor Trend "Of the Year" award honors vehicles that best represent design advancement, engineering excellence, safety, efficiency, value and performance of intended function

FCA US has landed Motor Trend's 2019 SUV, Truck and Person of the Year awards. The editors of the automotive publication have named the Jeep® Wrangler as the 2019 SUV of the Year® and the Ram 1500 the 2019 Truck of the Year® — two of the most coveted automotive industry awards in extremely competitive segments. Former FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne is honored posthumously with Motor Trend's 2019 Person of the Year.

Motor Trend's "Of the Year" awards recognize the best vehicles representing exceptional value, superiority in their classes and impact on the automotive scene.

"The Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 are significant products at FCA; concurrently winning Motor Trend's SUV of the Year and Truck of the Year titles is a proud accomplishment, and a testament to the capability and determination of our employees," said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. "These awards help to acknowledge our team's tireless efforts to ensure the new Wrangler and the new Ram 1500 stand out in their competitive segments.

"On behalf of all FCA employees, we also deeply appreciate Motor Trend's recognition of Sergio Marchionne as Person of the Year. His legacy in the industry, and his lasting impact on FCA will be remembered forever."

Motor Trend's "Of the Year" program is open to any all-new or substantially upgraded 2019 model-year vehicles. Instead of being compared against one another, contending vehicles are first put through Motor Trend's full battery of performance tests to evaluate virtually every aspect of each vehicle. All competitors are then evaluated on three separate courses at a professional automotive test center before finalists are selected.

"For 2019, the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler blew away our Motor Trend editors and judges by not only delivering class-leading capability for work and play, but truly impressive levels of refinement, technology, style and comfort," said Ed Loh, Motor Trend editor-in-chief. "Congratulations to FCA for delivering two real winners.

"Sergio was a special leader who salvaged troubled Chrysler and Fiat, saving thousands of jobs across the globe," added Loh. "He was a man who did not do something unless he was convinced it would be successful. Sergio Marchionne got the work done and he left an indelible mark on the automotive industry."

After weeks of testing conclude, the judges determine which vehicles will be given "Of the Year" titles. The winners are not chosen from a direct comparison against other finalists, but instead a result of how each contender measured against the award's six criteria: design advancement, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function.

A full report on Motor Trend's comprehensive testing will be featured on MotorTrend.com and in the January 2019 issue of Motor Trend.

Person of the Year Award
Every year, Motor Trend also honors automotive leaders who deserve attention for setting rules or for breaking them, and who contribute to expansion of industry thinking. Former FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has been named as Motor Trend's 2019 Person of the Year, marking the third time he has been recognized for his leadership, contributions, and passion for the automotive industry and its people.

2019 Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler continues to deliver class-leading capability, and has been completely refined to offer consumers a vehicle truly built for work, play and for driving every day ... on the road, on the trail and in any weather condition. The all-new Jeep Wrangler is loaded with advanced technology and connectivity, and boasts a remarkably comfortable interior, improved on-road driving dynamics, unique and authentic styling, new levels of safety and security features, and powertrain options that include the dependable 3.6-liter V-6 engine and an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that provides even more performance and fuel efficiency. Jeep Wrangler remains the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world.

2019 Ram 1500
The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 is a no-compromise truck, leading in luxury, efficiency, capability and innovation. Ram leads the full-size truck segment with significant gains in fuel efficiency through an all-new eTorque mild hybrid system in both V-6 and V-8 configurations. Overall weight for the Ram 1500 has been reduced by 225 pounds. The frame uses advanced materials and engineering to eliminate 100 pounds while increasing stiffness and durability for 12,750 pounds of towing capability and 2,300 pounds of payload. The new Uconnect 4C with a massive 12-inch touchscreen leads the pickup world with technology, featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L. Active safety and security systems join the technology onslaught with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and Blind-spot Monitoring.

About Jeep Brand
Built on more than 75 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.

Follow Jeep and FCA US news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com
Jeep brand: www.jeep.com
Jeep blog: blog.jeep.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep or www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep or  www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica  

About Ram Truck Brand
Since its launch as a stand-alone division in 2009, the Ram Truck brand has steadily emerged as an industry leader with trucks that are proven to last.

Creating a distinct identity for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on core customers and the features they find valuable. Whether focusing on a family that uses a Ram 1500 day-in and day-out, a hardworking Ram 3500 Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its Ram ProMaster commercial van every day for deliveries, Ram has the truck market covered.

In order to be the best, it takes a commitment to innovation, capability, efficiency and durability. Ram Truck invests substantially in its products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and exclusive features that further enhance their capabilities.

Ram continues to beat the competition in the most sought-after titles:

• Over the last 30 years, Ram has the highest percentage of pickups still on the road
• Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup
• Highest 5th wheel towing capacity – 30,000 lbs. with Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel
• Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions
• Best-in-class 4x4 fuel economy and longest range with exclusive EcoDiesel – 27 mpg with Ram 1500
• Highest snow plow rating – Ram 2500 and 3500
• Most interior space with Ram Mega Cab
• Most capable full-size off-road pickup – Ram Power Wagon

Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.

Follow Ram and FCA US news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com
Ram Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.com
Ram Zone blog: http://blog.ramtrucks.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks and https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ramtrucks and  www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RamTrucks and www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks and www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica

SOURCE FCA US LLC

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