FIAT & Chrysler Group's Calif Business Center Team Up

November 27, 2013 , Los Angeles - They meet every Sunday morning in a parking lot in The Valley. They have for years. They drink coffee, kick tires and admire fine and not so fine automobiles. The name Supercar Sunday was adopted along the way. Depending on the occasion some gatherings are larger than others.

And this weekend’s gathering promises to be one of the largest as FIAT brand North America and Chrysler Group’s California business center have stepped up to help celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive – helping to collect toys for Southern California’s less fortunate youth.

 “When we first heard of this cause and event we immediately wanted to become involved,” Jason Stoicevich, Head, FIAT Brand North America and Director of Chrysler Group LLC’s California Business Center, said. ”As a car company with a very loyal and large consumer base of hard core enthusiasts, we knew we could help. Additionally, helping underprivileged children is near and dear to our hearts here at Chrysler Group California. We admire what Dustin Troyan and the Motor4Toys event has been able to accomplish and look forward to helping this year and into the future.”

“We truly appreciate the support of the FIAT brand, to have a global brand behind and supporting Motor4Toys is unbelievable,” said Dustin Troyan president and founder of Motor4Toys. “This would not be possible without the unbelievable car community coming together; I am honored and grateful to be part of it.”

All car enthusiasts and the general public are invited to admire the cars from the early morning until mid-day. Admission is only the donation of at least one new unwrapped toy of at least a ten dollar value.  All toys will be distributed by Southern California charities during the coming holiday season.

Date: Sunday Dec. 1, 2013
Time: 6:30 a.m.-noon
Location: 21555 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, CA – At the Anthem (Blue Cross) building in Warner Center, directly across for the normal Supercar Sunday location.

About Motor4Toys:
Motor4Toys is a Southern California nonprofit organization that donates 100 percent of its collections to charity. The group spawned from Supercar Sunday, a weekly gathering of car enthusiasts that is championed by founder Dustin Troyan. This year marks the 10th running of the event.  
Websites: www.motor4toys.com, www.supercarsunday.com
YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/motor4toys
To make a donation online: http://www.gofundme.com/5636us

About FIAT Brand
FIAT — Life is Best When Driven. The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento — a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the Fiat 500 is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine.

Reminiscent of the original Cinquecento, the Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle’s global popularity. Since its initial launch in 2007, more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir® Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500 was named “Best Buy” in the subcompact category by Consumers Digest and was deemed a “Top Safety Pick” by the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This year, the 2013 Fiat 500 was named to the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000” list by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com and the new 2014 Fiat 500L was recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by IIHS.

The FIAT brand portfolio in North America continues to expand. In 2013, the FIAT brand launched the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, the fully-electric Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500L, an all-new five-passenger model that expands FIAT’s brand style and efficiency into the growing B-segment.

Ram Truck Launches 'The Farmer in All of Us' Book

November 25, 2013, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, the Ram Truck brand is launching a new photography book with National Geographic titled, “The Farmer in All of Us: An American Portrait.”  The book is available for purchase now for $45 at www.ramtrucks.com/outfitter and will be in retail stores beginning late spring 2014.

The 300-page coffee table book is a beautiful and comprehensive collection of original agriculture and farming photography, including many of the images commissioned by the Ram Truck brand for its “Farmer” Super Bowl commercial inspired by Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” essay. Every book purchase backs a minimum contribution of $25,000 by the Ram Truck brand to the National FFA Organization’s “Give the Gift of Blue” program, which donates traditional FFA blue corduroy jackets to members who would not otherwise be able to own one.

“Supporting farmers isn’t just about those who till the soil, it’s about reminding America who we are and where our greatness comes from,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group, LLC. “This book truly brings the 'Farmer' story to life, and continues to give back in support of the amazing students of the FFA who embody this spirit every day.”

To create the book, ten world-class photographers were tasked with traveling throughout America’s heartland over the course of three weeks to capture the essence of the farmer. Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech served as their inspiration. The photographers’ original goal was to create the visual backdrop for a television commercial celebrating the “Year of the Farmer.” The two-minute tribute aired during Super Bowl XLVII, stopping the nation in its tracks.

The "Farmer in All of Us" book builds on the imagery from the video and creates a compelling photographic poem, including a foreword by Paul Harvey, Jr., and personal anecdotes from the 10 photographers. The book includes more than 240 photos conveying the same spirit as the Ram Truck brand, which celebrates the values of dignity, fellowship and sacrifice through hard work. Just as the “Farmer” television video did, the book aims to inspire the next generation of America’s farmers.

“It is so exciting to see a collection of these stunning images together in one book. ‘The Farmer in All of Us’ truly represents the soul of the American farmer,” said Clay Sapp, President of the National FFA Organization. “We are grateful to Ram for supporting the ‘Give the Gift of Blue’ program and helping ensure each member of the FFA has the ability to own their own blue corduroy jacket.”

The Ram Truck brand declared 2013 the “Year of the Farmer” in February when its much-talked-about “Farmer” television spot aired during the Super Bowl. The yearlong initiative was designed to bring national attention to the significance of the American farmer and Ram pledged to donate up to $1 million dollars to FFA for views of the television video on the brand’s website. The brand reached the 10-million-view milestone, equating to the $1 million donation, in less than a week and presented the check to the FFA Oct. 30 at their annual convention. The spot has been viewed more than 22 million times to date.

About the Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its identity and clearly define its customers since its launch as the newest Chrysler Group LLC vehicle brand. Creating a stand-alone brand for Ram Trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they’d like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hardworking Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

About the National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 579,678 student members as part of 7,570 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

 

Dodge, Paramount Pictures, Kick Off Innovative 'Hands On Ron Burgundy' Endurance Challenge

November 18, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Legendary news anchorman Ron Burgundy has touched the lives of millions of Americans and now there is a way for his fans to touch him.
 

The Dodge brand and Paramount Pictures kick off "Hands on Ron Burgundy," an innovative endurance challenge with a digital spin, as the latest installment of their co-branded marketing collaboration that casts Burgundy as the new face of the new 2014 Dodge Durango and promotes the holiday release of the upcoming film "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," in theaters Dec. 20, 2013.

"Hands on Ron Burgundy," which runs from Tues., Nov. 19 to Mon., Nov. 25, exclusively on the "Funny Or Die" comedy video website, tests fans' perseverance using a computer mouse or touchscreen to place their "hands" on a digital image of Ron Burgundy. The contestant who "touches" Burgundy the longest in a single session time wins the grand prize of an all-new 2014 Dodge Durango. Hundreds of additional prizes will be awarded, including three trips for two to New York to attend "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" movie premiere on Dec. 15. Contestants can view a teaser video and enter the contest at www.burgundydodge.com.

“The widespread conversation the Ron Burgundy Dodge Durango campaign is generating has significantly increased awareness of the new Durango and is transforming that conversation into consideration,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “The 'Hands on Ron Burgundy' endurance challenge is Dodge's latest example of creating innovative and humorous ways for fans to engage with our brand, learn more about our vehicles and turn that interest into shopping for a new Durango. Plus, this contest is really classy, just like Ron himself."

Since the tie-in campaign with the film launched in October, visits to the www.Dodge.com/Durango website page are up nearly 80 percent and “shopping” activities on the website (find a dealer, build and price) has increased by more than 100 percent.

"This Dodge Durango campaign continues to offer Anchorman fans more ways to engage with the fun of the upcoming film," commented LeeAnne Stables, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships for Paramount Pictures. "The total creative collaboration with our friends at Funny Or Die, the Dodge agencies and the studio creative teams, and the filmmakers themselves, is what makes this unique."

A custom built, one-of-a-kind experience, "Hands on Ron Burgundy" is the Dodge brand's original take on the "Hands on a Hard Body" contest – first created by a Texas auto dealership in the 1980s and later gaining mass attention from an award-winning documentary film – where contestants compete to win a vehicle by keeping their hand on the vehicle the longest. It was created in partnership with Portland, Ore-advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy, development partner and design studio, Legwork, and the team at Funny Or Die.

Throughout the competition, Dodge also has mini-games and challenges to draw fans in and keep them engaged, while also learning about features and attributes of the new 2014 Dodge Durango. The goal of the "Horsepower" video game, for example, is for drivers to collect 360 horses (equal to the Durango's 360 horsepower engine). In the "Catch the Girls" game players need to direct six of Burgundy's "babes" falling from the sky into the Durango's sunroof to sit in the passenger seats, filling the Durango's seven seats.  The other three games - "Dirty Dancers," "Durango Car Wash" and "Flute Battle" - each have their own humorous way of showcasing the new Durango.

The new 2014 Dodge Durango arrived in dealerships in North America in October. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" releases nationally in theaters December 20, 2013.

With the '70s behind him, San Diego's top-rated newsman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also, back for more, are Ron’s co-anchor and wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man-on-the-street reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) - all of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy … while taking New York and the nation’s first 24-hour news channel by storm. Produced by Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Directed by Adam McKay.

How It Works "Hands on Ron Burgundy" launches at noon Eastern Time (ET) on Tues., Nov. 19 and ends at 2:59 a.m. ET Mon., Nov. 25. The fan who can "touch Ron the longest" in a single session will win the grand prize, a 2014 Dodge Durango. A leaderboard will showcase the leading contenders with the longest time. No matter where players are on the leaderboard, hundreds of other prizes will also be awarded throughout the challenge period.

Players log in using either their Facebook or Twitter accounts. Once logged in, contestants need to hold their mouse cursor (or finger if using a smartphone) down inside the specified area (hot spot) on Ron Burgundy. As the game progresses, the hot spot changes. There will be periodic breaks where contestants can watch videos and periodic games where contestants can earn bonus points.

Contestants must be 18 years or older and reside in the United States. They can play as many times as they want, however only their top score counts toward contest prizes.

For a complete list of prizes and contest rules, go to http://handsonronburgundy.com/prizes.

The contest is sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC.

About Dodge Brand

The Dodge brand is tearing into its centennial year with a keen eye focused on the future and a desire to create vehicles customers can’t wait to drive and are proud to park in their driveways. With 100 years of history, Dodge is building on the technological advancements of the ‘30s and ‘40s, design evolution of the ‘50s, the racing heritage of the ‘60s, the horsepower of the ‘70s, the efficiency of the ‘80s and unbelievable styling of the ‘90s as it paves the road to its future. New for 2014, the Dodge Durango “is kind of a big deal,” with a new eight-speed transmission that delivers up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway, a new 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch infotainment center and best-in-class power, towing and fuel economy, in addition to its class-exclusive technology. The new Durango joins the new 2014Dodge Dart with its new 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, as well as the 2014 Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Journey and a 30th Anniversary Grand Caravan. This 2014 Dodge lineup includes five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety picks and Top Safety Pick +, five vehicles with best-in-class power, seven vehicles that deliver 25 miles per gallon (mpg) or higher, three vehicles that deliver 31 mpg or higher and three vehicles that offer seating for seven.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

New 2014 Jeep® Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition: A Classic Throwback With Modern Capability

The roots of America’s love affair with Jeep® can be traced to World War II, as the one-of-a-kind vehicle dutifully served the U.S. military with its durability and ruggedness. The affinity for Jeep gained traction as the first civilian Jeep (“CJ”) vehicles – the Willys-Overland CJ-2A – reached the public in 1945. The CJ-2A, and successor CJ-3A, was immortalized for its go-anywhere capability and strictly functional amenities.

Beginning early next year, when the new 2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition arrives in Jeep showrooms, customers can connect with the original Jeep vehicle’s rugged and purely functional capability. The latest Wrangler special edition makes its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

“The new Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition is a Jeep purist’s dream, delivering a Jeep vehicle that harkens back to the original, classic CJs of the 1940s,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This new Jeep vehicle delivers pure functionality and rugged capability in a unique package that recognizes the origins of the brand.”

Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the Willys Wheeler Edition features upgraded hardware, including a Dana 44 rear axle with Trac-Lok® limited-slip rear differential and 3.73 gears, BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain LT255/75R17 tires, rock rails and a new Jeep Trail Rated Kit that includes a D-Ring, tow strap and gloves in a Jeep-branded bag.  This works with the Jeep Command-Trac 4x4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio to give the Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition its improved off-road chops.

Special exterior design cues include a gloss black grille with black Jeep badge, gloss black front and rear bumper appliques, historic satin black “4 Wheel Drive” rear tailgate decal and “Willys” hood decals and unique high-gloss black 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Willys Wheeler Edition comes standard with a Sunrider soft top and deep-tint sunscreen rear windows. A premium Sunrider soft top and black-splatter Freedom Top are available.

Willys Wheeler Editions feature the Connectivity Group with SiriusXM satellite radio, and Sport S-based models have the Power Convenience Group and Premium Tire Pressure Monitoring System as standard. Jeep Wrangler’s iconic half doors are an option.

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition features the award winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. or torque. It is available with a standard six-speed manual or an available five-speed automatic transmission, and delivers up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

Available in any Jeep Wrangler color, the Willys Wheeler Edition has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail price (MSRP) of $25,795 for two-door models and $29,595 for Unlimited (four-door) models. The 2014 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are built at the Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio.

About Jeep Brand
Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC products are available in more than 150 countries around the world.

Follow Jeep and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Streetfire: http://www.streetfire.net/uploaded/chryslervideo.htm