* All-new 2007 Jeep(R) Wrangler's Bumper System is Grand Award Winner * Company Wins Awards in Six of the Nine Categories AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group won a Grand Award and six of the nine category awards for the Most Innovative Use of Plastics in an automotive or transportation-related part at the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) International's 36th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Gala on November 13. This year's Grand Award Winner, as well as Body Exterior category winner, was the Blow-molded Front and Rear Bumper System on the all-new 2007 Jeep(R) Wrangler. This blow-molded, all-plastic bumper replaced a traditional steel application and offered a 12 percent piece-cost and assembly-cost reduction as well as a 9 percent weight reduction. "We are pleased to be recognized by the Society of Plastics Engineers for the innovative use of plastics in our products," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President-Product Development, Chrysler Group. "The benefits of implementing best practices and core teams can be seen in our record 10 all- new vehicles being introduced this year." The winner in the Body Interior category was the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro's In-line Compounded Structural Duct Assembly. This is the first application of in-line compounding/injection molding for a two-piece, vibration-welded instrument panel structural-duct assembly. In the Chassis/Hardware category, the winner was the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro's Rail-less Window Regulator. This is the first integrated, cable- driven, rail-less window regulator system for door modules. The innovative carrier integrates the drum housing and utilizes an industry-first: robotically extruded thermoplastic seal to form the separation between wet and dry sides. The winning nomination for this year's Materials category was from the 2007 Dodge Ram's Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV) Primary Seal. This application is the first TPV body-mounted primary seal used in a complete dynamic-sealing application. In the Powertrain category, the winner comes from the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro's Combined Wideband Turbo Resonator. Turbo whine as well as blade-pass noise is no longer audible on vehicle interiors or exteriors due to this first-ever combination resonator mounted on the pressure side of the turbocharger. SPE Automotive Innovation Awards SPE's Innovation Awards Gala is the largest competition of its kind in the world. Dozens of teams made up of OEMs, tier suppliers, and polymer producers submit nominations describing their part, system, or complete vehicle module and why it merits the claim as Year's Most Innovative Use of Plastics. This annual event typically draws over 800 OEM engineers, automotive and plastics industry executives and media. As is customary, funds raised from this event will be used to support SPE educational efforts and technical seminars, which will help to secure the role of plastics in the advancement of the automobile. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Heather May, +1-248-512-0364, cell: +1-248-797-2289, , or Todd Goyer, +1-248-512-0041, cell: +1-248-761-0805, , both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

Copyright