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Kathy Graham

2006 Model Year Represents Leading Edge of ® Product Offensive What's New for 2006: Jeep® Brand

Jeep brand to strengthen, expand model lineup during second half of this decade

All-new 2006 Jeep Commander signals brand’s commitment to remain the leader in the sport-utility market

Jeep heritage built on six decades of freedom, adventure, mastery, authenticity and the capability to go anywhere, do anything

August 31, 2005, Auburn Hills, Mich. -

The heroic heritage of Jeep® and its sport-utility mastery stretches back more than 60 years. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with the launch of the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander.

“The 2006 Jeep Commander signals our commitment to remain the leader in the SUV market — a market that Jeep invented more than 60 years ago,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Jeep, Group. “The Jeep Commander is significant for a number of reasons. It is the first seven-passenger 4x4 that is Jeep Trail Rated, and it is the only SUV in its class to offer a choice of two V-8 engines. In addition, the Jeep Commander expands and strengthens the Jeep lineup, which consists of , and .

“And finally, the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander initiates the expansion of the Jeep vehicle lineup that will take place during the second half of this decade.”

2006 Jeep Commander In developing the 2006 Jeep Commander, designers looked to past Jeep vehicles for inspiration: the Jeep Station Wagons (1946 to 1962), the Jeep Wagoneer (1963 to 1991) and especially the Jeep Cherokee (1984 to 2001). All were classically Jeep in appearance, with sharp lines and rugged looks. The 2006 Jeep Commander is a modern interpretation of that design ethic.

For the first time in a Jeep vehicle, Jeep Commander offers three rows of seats, making it capable of carrying seven passengers, with each row slightly higher than the one in front of it. This distinctive stadium seating arrangement makes forward viewing easier. The second- and third-row seats fold forward to create a flat load floor. New CommandView™ dual skylights above the second row are packaged with a power sunroof over the front row, resulting in a greater sense of interior spaciousness.

Jeep Commander is only two inches longer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, even though it is designed to accommodate three rows of seats. And since they have the same wheelbase (109.5 inches), Commander is as maneuverable and off-road capable as the Grand Cherokee.

Best-in-class off-road performance is provided by the Quadra-Drive II® system and industry exclusive Electronic Limited Slip Differentials (ELSD) — front/center/rear, offering customers the ultimate in off-road capability. Best-in- class horsepower and torque are provided by the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine. The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) provides improved fuel economy, as much as 20 percent, depending on driving conditions.

Safety and security were designed into the Jeep Commander from the beginning. It is the first Chrysler Group vehicle with Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), while Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard. Other safety features include Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), a Brake Traction Control System (BTCS), side-curtain air bags and Park Sense™ rear park assist. Among the available premium amenities are SmartBeam™ headlights, Sirius Satellite Radio, a DVD-based navigation system and rear DVD player.

The introduction of the Jeep Commander in 2006 follows the successful launch last year of several new models to the Jeep brand’s lineup, including the all-new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the new Jeep Liberty Renegade and Jeep Liberty Diesel.

Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler All-new in 2005, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues to raise the bar to a new level by offering improved capability, superior on-road ride and handling in a well-appointed package with many premium amenities.

Three 4x4 systems are available on Jeep Grand Cherokee, including Quadra-Drive II, which provides for best-in-class tractive performance. Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers exhilarating performance with its 330-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Staying true to its legendary 4x4 heritage, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is Trail Rated® for traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording.

The 2006 Jeep Liberty continues to stand apart from car-based SUVs in terms of off-road capability and from truck- based offerings in terms of on-road refinement. The available 2.8-liter common rail diesel (CRD) provides up to 32 percent better fuel economy than comparable gas engines, and a highway driving range of approximately 500 miles.

ESP, which includes anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control, is now standard on all Jeep Liberty models.

The Jeep Wrangler remains the original 4x4, with a one-of-a-kind open-air design that delivers unmatched fun, freedom and excitement. Introduced late last year, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is the marriage of Jeep’s ultimate off-road rig — the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon — to the roomier, versatile Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is 15 inches longer than the short-wheelbase Wrangler, providing 13 inches more cargo area and two inches more second-row leg room. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon model includes front and rear “air-actuated” Tru-Lok locking differentials, front and rear Dana model 44 axles, four-wheel disc brakes and a Rock- Trac transfer case with a 4:1 low-range. With its unique heavy gauge diamond-plate sill guards, 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels and Goodyear Wrangler “Maximum Traction/Reinforced” 31-inch tall tires, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon provides uncompromised capability.

Jeep Trail Rated Jeep Trail Rated communicates that the vehicle has been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording.

Jeep Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure and consistently predict off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles today and into the future. Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, as well as computer-simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable and consistent measurement of off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles are Trail Rated.

Live the Jeep Experience If there is one thing better than experiencing the on- and off-road capability of a Jeep vehicle, it is sharing that experience with like-minded enthusiasts. And that experience — plus many other Jeep-inspired activities — are exactly what thousands of Jeep owners and their families enjoy every year at three relationship marketing events: Camp Jeep, Jeep Jamboree and Camp Jeep On the Road.

“The Jeep brand’s 60-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with words like freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity,” said Bell. “Whether it is through lifestyle programs like Camp Jeep, lifestyle activities such as gaming and music, or innovative spectator events and programming like the Jeep King of the Mountain Series and Jeep World of Adventure Sports, the Jeep brand continues to help people expand their boundaries and life experiences.”

The first Camp Jeep was held 11 years ago in Camp Hale, Colorado. Since then, Camp Jeep has become one of the largest and most successful ownership events in the United States. Each year, thousands of people from around the country enjoy several days of family fun that includes 4x4 trail rides, engineering roundtables, kayaking, mountain biking, fly-casting, children’s activities, live music and much more.

For owners who want to go anywhere and do anything more frequently, there are Jeep Jamborees. More than 30 Jeep Jamborees are held around the country annually, attracting more than 7,000 owners. The weekend events allow Jeep owners to hone their skills in challenging off-road situations. They have been providing family fun and off-road driving experiences for more than 50 years.

For owners and prospective Jeep owners who want to learn the basic skills of safe off-road driving, there are Camp Jeep On the Road events (previously called Jeep 101). Held this year in eight cities around the United State, Camp Jeep On the Road features some of the same lifestyle elements offered at Camp Jeep, along with driving courses that teach participants the capabilities of their Jeep vehicles. These courses include steep downhill grades, log crossings and sand banks.

The Jeep brand has been an internationally registered trademark since before 1950. Jeep uses licensing agreements with more than 60 companies worldwide to develop and produce products that reflect the same attributes as the legendary Jeep vehicles and complement the lifestyle of owners and prospective customers.

The result is a full range of Jeep gear for active adults, teens and children. In addition to apparel with the Jeep logo, licensed products also include all-terrain mountain bikes, watches, footwear, strollers, radios and other electronic products, luggage and eyewear.

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