2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Journey Earn Pet Safe Choice Awards

CHICAGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ --

• Bark Buckle UP's 2010 Pet Safe Choice Award recognizes the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country and the 2010 Dodge Journey as one of the 10-best vehicles to accommodate and secure pets
• Chrysler Town & Country is the best vehicle to transport people and pets with more than 65 minivan-first features, including Stow 'n Go® seating and storage system, rearview conversation mirror, Parkview™ rear back-up camera and Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) advance safety systems
• With unmatched cargo flexibility for all your pet's needs, the 2010 Dodge Journey features spacious storage bins, including the Flip 'n Stow™ front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone™ glove box cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with washable and removable liners

The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Journey have been awarded Bark Buckle UP's 2010 Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The Pet Safe Choice Award is given to vehicles that best accommodate a variety of pet needs, including ventilation for pets and adaptability of third-party pet-travel gear.

"The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to be the best vehicle to transport people, belongings and their pets with minivan-first second- and third-row fold-in-floor Stow 'n Go seating, large in-floor covered storage bins, low step-in load floor, power-sliding doors and power liftgate," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO -- Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

Bark Buckle UP evaluated vehicles on a variety of criteria, including accommodation of animals and various kennel sizes, ease of pet access within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, pet-friendly interior surfaces and their ease of clean up.

"Pets are an extension of every family, and the Dodge Journey's best-in-class seating and storage solutions meet the needs of all family members from kids to pets. With features like the available integrated booster seat that accommodates children comfortably, to in-floor storage that keeps all the pet-essentials organized and easy-to-reach, the Dodge Journey makes every trip better for the entire family," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

About 2010 Chrysler Town & Country

With more than 26 years of unsurpassed leadership in minivan engineering and design, Chrysler Town & Country celebrates its 20th year as the segment's foremost luxury minivan. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to hit the mark in minivan innovation and value with more than 65 minivan-first features, a contemporary appearance, two distinct seating and storage systems, Stow 'n Go® and Swivel 'n Go®, segment-exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV and more than 40 available safety features.

Commemorating two decades of minivan luxury and innovation, the special-edition 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series features an even more luxurious interior with unique two-tone seating with French-seamed stitching, Macassar Range wood trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow 'n Go seating and storage system, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, heated first- and second-row seating and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring. Unique seven-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with platinum-chromed finish, chromed belt, fascia accents and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and "Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series" front door badging enhance this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country's exterior appearance.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country received the U.S. Government's Five Star crash test rating in both front and side impact tests. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $25,995 (including $820 destination).

About the Dodge Journey

The 2010 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seven-passenger seating, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty look, fun-to-drive dynamics, innovative features and 25-mpg highway fuel-efficiency, and Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.

With the simple turn of a lever, Dodge Journey's available 5+2-passenger-seating system quickly folds the Tilt 'n Slide™ second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats. Spacious storage bins, including the Flip 'n Stow™ front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone™ glove box beverage cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with liners are easy to reach.

In-vehicle technologies include Media Center™ 730N with navigation, 30-gigabyte hard drive with voice commands, iPod® Control, Uconnect Phone and real-time traffic monitoring. Rear-seat passengers will enjoy the available rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, two wireless headphones and available SIRIUS Backseat TV™.

About the Chrysler Brand

The Chrysler brand has delighted customers with distinctive designs, craftsmanship, intuitive innovation and technology—all at an extraordinary value—since the company was founded in 1925.

Whether it is the groundbreaking, bold design of the Chrysler 300, the sleek elegant styling of a Sebring Convertible, or the "family room on wheels" functionality of the Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler brand vehicles reward the passion, creativity and sense of accomplishment of its owners. Beyond just exceptionally designed vehicles, the Chrysler brand has incorporated thoughtful features into all of its products, such as the Stow 'n Go seating and storage system on the Chrysler Town & Country, the fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) in the Chrysler 300 and Uconnect Phone utilizing Bluetooth technology on the Chrysler Sebring and Chrysler Sebring Convertible.

Chrysler celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 segment-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country is also the first minivan in the segment to feature Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident avoidance safety systems.

The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in design, engineering and value. The premium for the Chrysler brand is in the product, not the price.

About Dodge Brand

Dodge is a full line of cars, SUVs and MPVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10.

Dodge introduced two new vehicles for the 2009 model year: the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's first crossover vehicle and the 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern-day American muscle car. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. J.D. Power and Associates further acknowledged this leadership by naming the Dodge Grand Caravan the Most Dependable Van for 2009. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in the minivan segment with unsurpassed fuel economy of 17 city / 25 highway mpg and minivan-first innovations including the segment's only Stow 'n Go and Swivel 'n Go seating and storage systems. The 2010 Dodge Journey and 2010 Dodge Avenger (with ESC) also earned the 2009 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC