Smartphones and Smart Cars - Chrysler Brand and Mopar® Announce Free Vehicle-Information Application for Owners in the United States

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Free apps offer access to Customer Care and 24-hour road-side assistance, product-feature video demonstrations and connections with fellow owners via the company's brands on social media sites
• One-stop spot for general information about customer's Chrysler vehicle, including vehicle operation, maintenance and warranty information
• App available for download to smartphones powered by Android, iTunes or Blackberry platforms

The Chrysler Brand and Mopar® are taking customer care to a new level, introducing new free smartphone applications that contain useful information about owner's vehicles and creates a new channel of communication among owners and the company.

The new apps allow Chrysler owners to download information regarding their vehicle on to their personal smartphone. The free, available information includes product-feature demonstration videos, vehicle operation, maintenance and warranty information, access to 24-hour roadside assistance and customer care, and the ability to connect with fellow owners via the Chrysler brand on social media web sites. Because the systems are digital, it allows Chrysler to make updates to the "electronic" owner's manual in real time.

"Chrysler's tech-savvy customers appreciate the ability to simplify and manage their life on-the-go," said Olivier Francois, Chrysler Brand CEO – Chrysler Group LLC. "These new apps from Mopar allow owners to easily access information about their vehicle as well as connect with other owners and enthusiasts via social media sites, saving time and organizing the information in one readily-accessible spot, available at their fingertips."

In 2009, Chrysler Group was the first automotive company to replace traditional, bulky owner manuals with DVDs and user guides. In 2010, the company was the first in the automotive industry to offer smartphone vehicle-information applications. Information that used to be stuffed into the glove box is now readily available on the customer's smartphone. Vehicle information apps for the new 2011 Chrysler 200, new 2011 Town & Country and the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 will be available for download to smartphones that operate on the Android platform in mid-January and to iTunes and Blackberry users shortly after.

"Chrysler's new vehicle-information applications are a critical part of our company's customer care initiatives and create a convenient, on-demand channel of communication with our customers," said Pietro Gorlier, President – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. "These apps are a source of information for owners and potential owners to learn about Chrysler products and are a great example of how we can add value to our vehicles and build brand identity."

The vehicle-information apps, developed by Michigan-based Tweddle Group, are designed to support vehicles in the U.S. market. The Chrysler apps will first be available for Android devices and later for BlackBerry and iPhone users on major mobile carriers.

Application Features

The new Chrysler smartphone vehicle information apps will complement existing user guides and DVDs that are currently provided with each vehicle. Each vehicle-information app allows the consumer to browse 10 functional categories and view detailed topics of interest relative to their specific vehicle.

Key feature categories include vehicle operating instructions, vehicle maintenance schedules, warning lights and controls, warranty information, service contract details, frequently asked questions and customer assistance. Other features and benefits include links to genuine Mopar parts and accessories, Chrysler brand gear and merchandise and the Chrysler Community–which offers links to social media sites. The app also contains high-resolution product information images and videos.

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 1926. Whether it is the groundbreaking, bold design of the Chrysler 300, the "family room on wheels" functionality of the Chrysler Town & Country or the sleek elegant styling of the new 200 mid-size sedan, 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 and voice command on the Chrysler 200.

The Chrysler brand is experiencing a rejuvenation, and product is at the heart of it, replacing its full lineup with either all-new or significantly improved vehicles for 2011. The recently introduced new Chrysler Town & Country minivan and Chrysler 200 sedan showcase the brand's "design with purpose" that will be evident with the-soon-to-be-released all-new, next generation Chrysler 300 and the new Chrysler 200 convertible.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country, the best-selling minivan in the United States in 2010, continues to set the standard for the best vehicle to move people and things without sacrificing style. Through the years, Chrysler has introduced 75 minivan-first features. The redesigned 2011 Town & Country offers more than 40 standard safety features including Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection. Well-equipped and achieving and EPA estimated 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, the Town & Country exemplifies elegant design and purposeful features that make the time on the road enjoyable for both driver and passengers.

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.

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About the Mopar Brand

Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand.

Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered and tested with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

More than 70 Years of Mopar

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "special parts" for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC