FCA US Named One of America's Top Corporations Supporting Women-owned Businesses

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Mar 22, 2016, 10:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Only national award honoring corporations that promote growth of women-owned businesses
Company "committed to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customers"
Since 1983, the Company has purchased nearly $53 billion from minority-owned suppliers

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) has named FCA US LLC one of America's Top Corporations supporting Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs).

WBENC's Top Corporations award is the only national award honoring corporations that promote policies and programs that support the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses. WBENC was founded in 1997 and is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the U.S.

"FCA US is committed to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customers," said Tom Finelli, Vice President, NAFTA Purchasing and Supplier Quality, FCA US. "Supporting members of organizations like WBENC enables FCA US to operate efficiently, while bringing innovative new products to market that resonate with a diverse customer base. These programs also ensure that the economic benefits of our business are shared with members of our communities."

FCA US was honored at the WBENC Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises on March 23, 2016, in Phoenix. The Company was among 62 organizations that met the rigorous standards to be recognized as one of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises. This elite group spent more than $34 billion in this area in 2014.

"We are so proud of WBENC's Top Corporations, including FCA US, for choosing to set the standard for access and increase opportunities to women suppliers in new markets – both domestically and internationally," said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC. "WBENC-certified WBEs in turn are able to fuel innovation and empower communities through economic growth and job creation."

FCA US supplier diversity goals require that 8.5 percent of a Tier 1 supplier's procurement buy be sourced to certified minority suppliers. The goal for women-owned suppliers is 3 percent. FCA US itself spent $2.9 billion with approximately 215 minority and women–owned suppliers in 2015, representing 8 percent of the Company's total annual purchasing. Since 1983, the Company has purchased nearly $53 billion from minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned suppliers.

FCA US continues to support several organizations that assist Tier 1 suppliers with achieving their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals. In addition to WBENC, these organizations include the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council, WBE Canada and WEConnect International. FCA US also supports veteran-business ownership through membership with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association.

WBENC, a national 501(c)3 non-profit, partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. Outside of the U.S, certification is provided by WBENC's alliance partner, WEConnect International.

About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."

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