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Dodge Dakota Leads J.D. Power APEAL Study for Fourth Straight Year

22 September 2000

Dodge Dakota Leads J.D. Power APEAL Study for Fourth Straight Year

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 21 For the fourth year in a
row, Dodge Dakota led the compact truck segment of J.D. Power's Automotive
Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study announced today.  The hot new
Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town and Country
minivan also finished in the top three rankings in their categories.
    The study quantifies owners' feelings about their new 2000 model year cars
and trucks -- and some early 2001 model year vehicles such as PT Cruiser -- by
ranking vehicles on "emotional" responses to many product attributes.
    "In a day when the marketplace is flush with quality vehicles, this proves
that it pays to go beyond the expected and be different," said Jim Julow, Vice
President - Dodge Division.  "Bold styling, thoughtful features, roominess and
the widest range of engine options -- including the most powerful -- make the
Dakota once again stand out from the crowd."
    The new 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser debuted in the number two spot of the
compact car segment.  Styling, comfort/convenience and seating of the PT
Cruiser had the greatest impact with surveyed buyers.
    "The data confirms our own judgment that consumers respond to unique,
emotional design," said Tom Marinelli, Vice President - Chrysler/Jeep
Division.  "PT Cruiser buyers named style as a purchase reason four times more
often than the average vehicle in the segment -- and almost twice as often as
the top-ranked vehicle in the segment, Volkswagen Beetle."
    Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town and Country ranked third in the
compact sport-utility vehicle and compact van segments, respectively.
    "We're pleased to have so many vehicles from the Chrysler/Jeep Division
honored," Marinelli added.  "Brand new vehicles and those being renewed for
2001 were top performers."