Chicago, Feb 11, 2009 – Chrysler LLC received two top awards from MotorWeek today. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was named “Best Pickup Truck,” and the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan were named “Best Minivan” in MotorWeek’s annual Drivers’ Choice Awards.
“The Dodge Ram has never been better and it now clearly stands apart from its rivals. That’s why it’s earned MotorWeek’s 2009 Drivers’ Choice Award as Best Pickup,” said John Davis, Host and Executive Producer – MotorWeek. “The new Ram is aimed directly at personal use buyers with clever features like the RamBox side-rail storage bins. The light-duty Ram also delivers a great ride with its coil-spring rear suspension, and the interior has superior fit and finish. It’s perfect for people moving and weekend chores. Yet, when Ram does have to work hard, HEMI power can manage payloads of over 1,800 pounds or 9,100 pounds of trailer. Full of innovations and technology, the Ram is no longer just another pickup.”
This marks the third time an all-new Dodge Ram has earned a MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award. Dodge Ram 1500 picked up the honor when the first- and second-generation trucks were launched in 1994 and 2002.
“Raising the bar to a whole new level, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are once again MotorWeek’s pick for its 2009 Drivers’ Choice Award as Best Minivan,” said Davis. “The folks that invented the front-wheel-drive minivan have further perfected its science of flexibility. In addition to innovations such as Stow n Go, Swivel n Go and integrated child booster seats, the pair now offer a sport-tuned suspension, class-leading fuel-economy and a minivan-first Blind Spot Monitoring System, among a plethora of other upgrades. These two family phenoms have never been better.”
This is the 12th time Chrysler and Dodge minivans have earned MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards, which have been presented annually since 1983 and are among the auto industry’s most prestigious honors.
“We thank MotorWeek for recognizing our vehicles and their innovations,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “With an industry-first RamBox cargo management system and industry-first coil-spring, five-link rear suspension with best-in-class ride and handling, our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is the best pickup truck on the market. And our 2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans, with more than 25 years of minivan innovation and 40 new or improved features over the previous generation, including industry-first Stow n Go and Swivel n Go seating and storage systems, are the best minivans on the market.
Both MotorWeek and the Drivers’ Choice Awards are sponsored nationally by cars.com. MotorWeek will feature the entire list of winners on PBS, beginning Friday, Feb. 13, and on cable’s SPEED Channel, beginning Feb. 16.
About the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the industry first-and-only RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, pickup bed dividers, a two-foot bed extender, and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle providing ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) helps improve fuel economy and performance.
In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes first-in-segment, factory-installed four-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins and twice as many storage spots than the previous model and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV™ round out the interior.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Dodge Dodge Ram 1500 is $22,170 (including $900 destination).
In addition to winning MotorWeek’s Best Pickup Award, the all-new Dodge Ram has picked up 11 other key awards since its introduction and was recently chosen by Car and Driver as the best full-size pickup in a head-to-head comparison test in Texas, beating the new 2009 Ford F-150. Other key awards include:
* Consumer Guide – Large Pickup – Best Buy for 2009
* Cars.com – Work Truck of the Year
* ICOTY – 2009 International Truck of the Year
* Truckin’ magazine – Truck of the Year
* Texas Auto Writer’s Association (TAWA) – 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas
* Edmunds.com – Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
* Autobytel.com – 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors’ Choice Awards – Truck of the Year
* Maxim – Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
* Ward’s AutoWorld – Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7-liter HEMI® engine)
* Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Best New Pickup
* Sobre Ruedas – Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for ’08
About MotorWeek
MotorWeek is one of the nation’s leading sources for automotive industry news, new car information and driving entertainment. The award-winning series, seen nationwide on PBS, SPEED and V-me, is produced by Maryland Public Television. For more information on MotorWeek and the Drivers’ Choice Awards, visit www.pbs.org/motorweek.
Press release via Chrysler/Dodge
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