AutoPacific Names All-New 2009 Dodge Ram and Jeep(R) Liberty as Vehicle Satisfaction Award Winners

- All-new 2009 Dodge Ram beats new 2009 Ford F-150 for top honors in Large Pickup Truck category

- Jeep Liberty takes top honors in Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle category

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 19 -- Owners of the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram and the Jeep(R) Liberty have spoken. Owners gave top ratings to both vehicles in AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram won the Large Pickup Truck category, beating the new 2009 Ford F-150, while the Jeep Liberty placed at the top of the Mid-Size Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV) category.

"The opinions of our owners are what really matter, so this is a great win for our all-new Dodge Ram and Jeep Liberty," said Doug Betts, Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Chrysler LLC. "This award confirms that we are making significant changes and improvements in vehicle quality that are being recognized by our customers."

AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck, and reflects the opinions of consumers nationwide. Owner satisfaction is measured across specific areas related to a vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and the overall purchase/lease experience. Now in its 13th year, the VSA surveys more than 25,000 consumers. The 2009 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired from September through December 2008.

Since its introduction in 2002, the popular mid-size SUV Jeep Liberty gives off-road enthusiasts and owners their own sense of personal freedom and capability that can only come from the Jeep brand. The Jeep Liberty offers legendary Trail Rated(R) Jeep 4x4 capability combined with a new level of on-road refinement and innovative features.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram features the industry's first-and-only RamBox(TM) cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats.

The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle that provides ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) improve fuel economy and performance.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government's safety crash test program. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is $22,170 (including $900 destination).