All-new 2005 Chrysler 300 Wins "Editors' Most Significant Vehicle of the Year" Award from Edmunds.com

Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Dakota Receive "Editors? Most Wanted" Awards

Dakota a Five-time Winner

Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov 02, 2004 - Chrysler Group captured four separate product awards from Edmunds.com in the Web site's seventh annual "Editors' Most Wanted" awards program. Chrysler Group accepted the awards at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas.

Edmunds.com named the all-new 2005 Chrysler 300 as its Most Significant Vehicle of the Year and the Editors' Most Wanted Sedan Under $25,000 for 2005. The Dodge Magnum was named Editors' Most Wanted Wagon Under $25,000 for 2005, while the Dodge Dakota was honored with the Editors' Most Wanted Compact Truck for 2005.

?The all-new Chrysler 300 succeeds on so many levels that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where it all comes together, said Brian Moody, Edmunds.com Road Test Editor. However, it has a lot to do with its capacity to blend past and present, big sedan performance and luxury, and value and style into one enticing package.



The Chrysler 300 offers elegant design and styling, combined with rear-wheel-drive performance in a stunningly affordable package. The Chrysler 300 also is available with optional all-wheel drive for outstanding performance and stability under all traction conditions.

Featuring the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI? V-8, Chrysler 300C provides the HEMI power customers want with the fuel economy they appreciate. This modern HEMI engine features a cylinder deactivation system, which seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy up to 20 percent.

The Dodge Magnum is an all-new, boldly styled, muscular vehicle, which delivers on-road performance and smart space unlike any other in the marketplace. The rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum sports tourer is the new shape of American muscle, celebrating what American muscle cars were in the past, but with a design and packaging configuration that charges into the future. The optional all-wheel-drive system on the Dodge Magnum provides best passenger car four-season traction.

?From the minute you slip into the driver seat, the Magnum gives you the sense that it's more than just your standard family wagon, said Edmunds.com Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig. Tight steering, minimal body roll and excellent road feel give the Magnum an intangible solidity on the road that makes it feel less like a wagon and more like a sport sedan.



The award-winning Dodge Magnum combines world-class safety technologies, a fuel-efficient 2.7-liter V-6 engine and all-new front and rear suspension system to provide excellent handling and a comfortable ride for under $25,000. The Dodge Magnum RT features an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that has been engineered to deliver outstanding performance while also delivering minimal noise, vibration and harshness, maximum smoothness and low emissions.

"Winning these prestigious awards from Edmunds.com for both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum is a testament to the entire team at Chrysler Group," said Craig Love, Vice President, Rear-wheel Drive Product Team. "Chrysler Group just completed launching nine all-new models this year, the most ever in one year in Company history, and awards like these clearly indicate that our products are quickly gaining acceptance and popularity in the marketplace."

More than 102,000 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum vehicles have been sold in the United States and Canada so far this year. The Chrysler 300 commands 23 percent of the U.S luxury full-size car segment and 40 percent of the Canadian luxury full-size vehicle segment.



Rounding out the Chrysler Group?s awards from Edmunds.com is the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota, which was named Editor?s Most Wanted Compact Truck, marking Dakota?s fifth time claiming this award. The bigger, bolder and tougher all-new Dodge Dakota is the largest, most powerful and most capable pickup in its class. With best-in-class torque and towing, the new 2005 Dodge Dakota delivers full-size pickup styling, feel and power, and two available V-8 engines.

Winning the Edmunds.com Most Wanted Award is a great compliment to the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota, said Mike Donoughe, Vice President, Body-on-Frame Product Team. The Dodge Dakota once again defines its segment, and earning this award for the fifth time clearly distinguishes the Dodge Dakota as the only pickup in its class that continues to hit the mark.

Edmunds.com Award Voting

Editors at Edmunds.com vote for 26 favorite models from the roster of 2005 models in a variety of vehicle classes and price points. "Editors Most Wanted" awards are a compilation of input from the editorial staff, reflecting the vehicles they personally most desire. The "Editors Most Significant Vehicle of the Year" is awarded to one vehicle annually.

DaimlerChrysler Media.

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