Contact: Chrysler Group "Floors" Minivan Competition With Yet Another Leapfrog 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans first to offer “Stow ’n Go” Minivan-first feature allows owners to fold second- and third-row seats into the floor with virtually effortless one-hand operation Stow ’n Go is one of more than 15 new features on the new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan Best-looking minivans to offer even more safety features and the most refined driving experience Company invests more than $400 million to create all-new platform and bring new minivans to market in just 18 months The company that invented the minivan category 20 years ago is working its magic again. With more than 10 million minivans sold and a segment-leading 38 percent market share, the Chrysler Group today revealed Stow ’n Go and even more minivan-first features on its new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Dodge Grand Caravan. The company’s new minivans will arrive in Chrysler and Dodge dealerships early this year. Chrysler Group invested more than $400 million to create an all-new platform and bring its new 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans to market in just 18 months. “Stow ’n Go represents yet another leapfrog for the Chrysler Group in the minivan market segment,” said Dieter Zetsche, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group. “Stow ’n Go offers unmatched convenience, versatility, and storage. It gives customers the ability to easily fold their second- and third-row seats into the floor and conveniently store items. Stow ’n Go is one of more than 15 new features and safety enhancements to look for on our new 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans.” With Stow ’n Go, owners of new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans will have the ability to fold their second- and third-row seats into the floor in as little as 30 seconds with a simple, one-hand operation. Stow ’n Go will be standard on the company’s highline long-wheelbase minivans which include the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country LX, Touring and Limited, and the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. Stow ’n Go will also be available on 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE. “With 20 years of minivan experience and more than 10 million sold, we will continue to enhance the minivan formula in order to attract even more customers to the segment and keep minivan fans coming back for more,” said Zetsche. “At Chrysler Group, we take great pride in every single feature that we invent and every single minivan that we put on the road. Minivans are part of this company’s DNA and synonymous with the Chrysler Group.” In addition to the segment’s only Stow ’n Go seating system, the following is a complete list of available new features on the new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Dodge Grand Caravan: SEATING AND STORAGE 256 Seating Configurations New 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans offer up to 256 seating configurations Minivan-First Stow ’n Go Seating Second-row bucket seats may be folded into the floor with virtually effortless one-hand operation. Third-row split bench (60/40) may be folded individually or in its entirety into the floor with the same virtually effortless one-hand operation. With safe, smooth, integrated Stow ’n Go seat operation, pinched fingers may be avoided. Headrests do not need to be removed before seats are folded into the floor Secure, Covered Stow ’n Go Storage When second-row seats are in the upright position, two spacious storage bins are available creating an additional 12 cubic feet of storage. Second-row storage bins are equipped with integrated lids to keep items out of sight and securely tucked away Minivan-First Storage Bin Bags Cargo net bags are standard and adjust to fit into each storage bin, allowing for quick, easy removal of storage items Minivan-First Super High Density (SHD) Foam Cushion Seating Originally developed by NASA to improve seat comfort for astronauts, this foam cushion comfort technology is also used in high-end home and office furniture, aerospace, and in the medical industry Second-Row Seat Fore/Aft Adjusters and Reclining Seat Backs Second-row seats move forward and back and offer 100 mm of seat travel. Second-row seat back reclines up to 40 degrees, offering 13 different positions from which to choose Minivan-First Outboard Break-Away Cup Holders If outboard second-row seat cup holders are left deployed as seats are folded into the floor, mechanism releases the cup holder and allows the seat to be folded into the floor, leaving the cup holder intact Minivan-First Third-Row Easy Entry System With a pull of a single strap, the second-row seat tumbles out of the way and allows for easy entry into the third row Minivan-First Split-Bench Tailgate Seating Reclining Third-Row Seat Third-row seat back reclines up to 39 degrees, offering 12 different positions from which to choose SAFETY AND SECURITY Three-Row Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags Three-row, A-to-D pillar side curtain air bags provide full-length coverage for all rows of seats. The side curtain extends protection to all outboard passengers. Both side curtain air bags have impact sensors, which trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs Minivan-First Driver-side Inflatable Knee Blocker The knee blocker inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment. It helps position the driver relative to the air bag and offers additional upper leg protection Advanced Multi-stage Front Air Bags Provides enhanced protection for a greater range of occupants at various deployment levels, based on the severity of an impact Occupant Classification System (OCS) Determines the conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger-side front air bag, based on the weight of the occupant BeltAlert Chrysler Group’s new enhanced seat belt reminder system. If a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted, the system will periodically activate a chime and illuminate a light in the instrument cluster to remind the driver to buckle up Child Seat Anchor System Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH) help ease the installation of compatible aftermarket child seats. In addition to second-row seats, this feature is now available in the third-row seating of the new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow ’n Go seating Rear Park Assist Rear obstacle detection system with audible warning and rear overhead display Minivan-First Standard Door Alert Signal lights activate when power sliding doors or manual sliding doors are in operation, signaling occupants getting in or out of the vehicle. Feature is standard on all 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans (late availability) EVEN MORE FEATURES Minivan-First Factory-Installed UConnect™ Hands-Free Communication Integrated into the vehicle’s electrical and audio system, wireless Bluetooth® technology links to the customer’s cell phone. Control buttons are intuitive and conveniently located on the rearview mirror Minivan-First Movable/Removable Bins with Overhead Rail System Includes overhead console with three movable/removable storage bins, rear temperature controls, and an optional DVD screen Navigation System Available as a factory-installed option or through Mopar®, this single DVD solution contains mapping, points of interest, and business phone numbers throughout the United States. The 4.2-inch full-color display is integrated into the center stack and features AM/FM stereo, CD player, and navigation system in one unit. Screen may be viewed as a detailed map or enlarged and includes detailed turn-by-turn directions SOUND OF QUALITY: MOST REFINED DRIVING EXPERIENCE 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue to offer the most refined driving experience in terms of comfort and quietness, an experience that communicates confidence and quality. For 2005, Chrysler Group engineers enhanced this experience by further reducing noise, vibration and harshness: Quiet Steel Quiet steel technology was utilized in the recessed floor. The steel has a visco-elastic treatment sandwiched between two steel layers that reduces vibration, road noise, and stone impingement Liquid-Applied Spray Dampener Robotically applied liquid spray dampener technology provides barrier to noise entering the passenger compartment. The damping treatment is applied to the floor, toe-pan, cowl, and roof panel Polyurethane Foam Expandable polyurethane foam is injected into cavities at the base of the cowl plenum, liftgate opening, and center and rear door pillars New Underbody Structure The new underbody structure is designed for high bending and torsional stiffness, which helps isolate suspension vibration and chatter from passenger compartment Hydro Engine Mount A fluid-filled hydro engine mount significantly reduces engine vibration into the front rails to help isolate engine vibration Hydro Bushings Suspension control arms utilize tuned hydro bushings to further reduce suspension vibration Tuned Super High Density (SHD) Second-Row Seating Second-row foam seating technology is tuned to dampen vibration to the occupants Tight-Tolerancing Engineering and manufacturing’s precision of the folding seats and covers ensure that seats remain free of squeaks and rattles Wind Noise Wind noise was reduced by incorporating triple door seals, molded gaskets, aerodynamically configured roof rack cross bows, and a spiraled antenna Results These initiatives make the 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans more than 16 percent quieter BEST-LOOKING, BEST-SELLING MINIVANS LOOK EVEN BETTER: 2005 CHRYSLER AND DODGE MINIVANS “DESIGNED FROM THE INSIDE OUT” Interior