Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne Awarded Global Leadership Award by Business Council for International Understanding

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) awarded Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Fiat S.p.A., with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award at its annual Global Awards Gala at the New York Public Library on Monday, Dec. 5.

"By giving this award, BCIU is recognizing more than 250,000 men and women around the world who have worked to restore the pride and credibility of Chrysler Group, Fiat and Fiat Industrial, and who continue to do so with a renewed sense of purpose and passion," said Marchionne. "The essence of leadership, when all is said and done, is the personal assumption of the moral duty to be proactive in building our future. It is this that makes leadership a privilege and a sacred trust."

Since 2003, the Global Leadership Award has been given to business executives who exemplify the definition of an international business leader by exhibiting outstanding contributions to global commerce. Marchionne extends a distinguished roster of BCIU's Global Leadership Award recipients, which includes Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Electric; Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited; His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman, Kingdom Holding Company; Jake Eberts, Film Financier and Producer; Charles E. Phillips, Jr., President, Oracle; Nicolas Sarkozy, President, Republic of France; Lord John Browne, Group Executive, BP p.l.c.; Raymond Gilmartin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc.; Lee Raymond, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Exxon Mobil Corporation; and the 2007 recipient and the award presenter for the evening, Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal.

"Mr. Marchionne's bold approach and can-do mindset are exemplary characteristics of a visionary business leader," said Peter Tichansky, President and Chief Executive Officer, BCIU. "His accomplishments at Chrysler Group and Fiat are testament to a CEO who can meet a company's biggest challenges while paying attention to the tiniest details and quality of its products. His determination has fueled the transformation of legendary brands and put them firmly on the road to recovery."

Most recently in November, Marchionne was also awarded with the Deming Cup from Columbia Business School's W. Edwards Deming Center for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness at Columbia University's Low Memorial Library in New York City. The Deming Cup is an annual prize, awarded for the first time in 2010, recognizing world leaders who make outstanding contributions in operational excellence and foster continuous cultural improvements in their organization.

About BCIU
Fifty years ago, BCIU was formed at the White House Industrial Cooperation Council Conference on November 10, 1955, under the leadership of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as a "people-to-people" initiative. BCIU encourages international understanding by bringing together senior government officials and business leaders on issues of common concern by facilitating public-private partnerships in the global marketplace, and by assisting with problem-solving in turbulent situations and markets. BCIU also conducts commercial diplomacy training courses for U.S. Foreign Service, U.S. Commercial Service, and other U.S. Government trade promotion personnel. BCIU utilizes a mix of business executives and experienced trade promotion officials as faculty instructors for these courses.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT, Fiat and Mopar vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger and Ram 1500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Follow Chrysler news and video on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo  
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler  
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm  
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com 

For more information, please visit the Chrysler Group LLC media site at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC