The "NEW" Chrysler 06/10/09-

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New Appointments to the Chrysler Group Board of Directors

June 14, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today announced that Ruth J. Simmons and Erickson N. Perkins were appointed to its Board as independent directors, effective June 10.

The new directors join the Board as Gov. James Blanchard exits with the expiration of his term. With these appointments, the Board is restored to nine members.

“I’m pleased to welcome Ruth and Eric to the Chrysler Group Board of Directors,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO. “Our new Board members bring impressive leadership experience, and their diverse perspectives and counsel will be of great service as we work toward achieving the financial targets outlined in our business plan.

“I also want to thank Governor Blanchard for his help in setting Chrysler Group on a clear and true path. We appreciate his contributions and wish him well.”

Simmons, president of Brown University since 2001, will step down from that post on June 30, remaining with the university as a professor and president emerita. Prior to joining Brown University, she was president of Smith College, the largest U.S. women’s college. She also serves on several boards, including those of Princeton University and Texas Instruments.

Perkins is on the staff of the UAW Office of the President under Bob King, a role he has held since July 2010. In that capacity, he serves as Director of the UAW Strategic Research Department. He was previously a consultant on economic issues and organizing strategies for several trade unions. He also serves as the UAW appointee to the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Health Care Reform.

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UPDATE -Fiat sues Chrysler minority owner over 3.3 pct stake



Thu Sep 27, 2012

(Reuters) - Italian automaker Fiat filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court against the healthcare trust that owns part of Chrysler Group LLC, claiming the trust failed to meet its obligation to sell a 3.3 percent stake in Chrysler, after the two sides disagreed on the value of the transaction.

Fiat, which owns 58.5 percent of Chrysler, claims the trust was obligated on July 11 to deliver "Chrysler membership units" equal to 3.3 percent of the company, according to the lawsuit filed on Wednesday with the Court of the Chancery of Delaware.

As part of the 2009 agreement with the U.S. Treasury as Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, Fiat is able to exercise call options to purchase portions of the stake held by the healthcare trust, known as the Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA).

On July 3, Fiat exercised an option to purchase 3.3 percent of Chrysler, to be delivered on July 11.

"At no time has the VEBA disputed that Fiat has the right to exercise its call options to purchase Chrysler membership units," Fiat said in the 11-page court filing. "Instead, the dispute between the parties relates solely to the appropriate price to be paid by Fiat."

Fiat said in a statement issued in Italy, "While it is unfortunate that we were unable to resolve the issue without the assistance of the courts, we are hopeful the matter will be resolved swiftly."

VEBA officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Fiat, acting in the lawsuit through its unit Fiat North America LLC, said that a specific formula for setting the price of the transaction was set up in a 2009 agreement with the U.S. Treasury.

The price derived from that formula was not revealed in the lawsuit.

Fiat said it needed the court's assistance "in the application of a specific pricing formula which was agreed in 2009 and as such unrelated to the value of Chrysler today."

VEBA owns the remaining 41.5 percent of Chrysler.

In the 2009 agreement, Fiat has the right to increase its stake in Chrysler by 3.3 percent every six months by using the call option, beginning July 1, 2012. This is the first of those call options.

In 2009, Fiat was the stronger of the two automakers but due largely to the economic crisis in Europe, those roles have been reversed. In July, Fiat reported a second quarter loss of 246 million euros (US$318 million) while Chrysler reported a profit of $436 million (337 million euros) and said it would show a 2012 operating profit of at least $3 billion (2.32 billion euros).

When Chrysler emerged from its government-sponsored bankruptcy in 2009, Fiat owned 20 percent of the new company and took management control.

Since then, it has increased its ownership, in part by meeting requirements set by the U.S. government in 2009, including increasing sales outside its stronghold of North America and producing a highly fuel-efficient car.

Chrysler also paid back loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments six years early and exercised options to increase ownership.

SOURCE

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Chrysler Group Appoints New General Counsel
January 28, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -



Chrysler Group today announced Marjorie Loeb is appointed Senior Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary. She replaces Holly Leese who has announced her intention to retire from the company after 33 years. The appointment is effective immediately.

Loeb joined the Company in 2010 as an Assistant General Counsel. Prior to joining Chrysler, she served as the Assistant General Counsel and Secretary - Corporate and Securities for Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC and was a Principle at the Miro Weiner & Kramer law firm. Loeb holds a bachelor degree in Economics from Wellesley College and a juris doctorate from Harvard University.

Leese joined Chrysler Corporation as a staff attorney, and has held many roles in the Office of the General Counsel with increasing responsibilities. As General Counsel, Leese played a vital role in helping the Company successfully navigate through several historical milestones.

“I am honored to have worked with Holly over the last three years,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO. “We thank her for her many years of dedication to the Company and wish her and her family only the best.”

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Judge rejects pension claims from 5 former Chrysler execs

03/13/2013

A judge overseeing the leftover assets of pre-bankruptcy Chrysler LLC has rejected pension claims from five former Chrysler executives, including Bob Lutz.

As part of its 2009 bankruptcy Chrysler agreed to cover the supplemental pensions of active executives but not for retired executives.

Last month, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein denied the claims of Lutz, Gary Henson, Richard Schaum, Donald Miltz and Fred Luss, saying their benefits under Chrysler’s supplemental executive retirement plan should have been transferred to the new Chrysler when it exited bankruptcy in June 2009. Their attorney, Mayer Morganroth, filed an appeal March 5.

Morganroth estimated the supplemental pensions at stake was more than $10 million for those five former executives and a little more than $3 million for Lutz.

This was a supplemental pension plan for executives at a certain level and above. It did not represent all pension obligations to retired Chrysler executives.

Morganroth argued that the automaker could not agree to pay only part of his clients’ pension benefits. He asserted that all pensions were an executory contract that must be transferred to the post-bankruptcy Chrysler Group LLC.

In the bankruptcy, the viable assets of Chrysler were spun off into a new company. Key holders of Chrysler debt lost their investments. Fiat took control of 20% of the company, which received $12.1 billion in taxpayer loans, most of which have been repaid.

SOURCE

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Chrysler Gave Marchionne $1.2 Million in 2012
March 8, 2013



Chrysler Sergio Marchionne

Chrysler paid CEO Sergio Marchionne $1.2 million last year, and its other top four executives received substantial bonuses that more than doubled their 2011 compensation.

Most of Marchionne's compensation came from either stock awards or stock options with an estimated value of $1.1 million, for his service as a member of Chrysler's board, according to the company's annual report. The remaining $102,366 is the estimated value of company perks, such as housing expenses.

Fiat, which owns 58.5% of Chrysler, and Fiat Industrial will disclose what they paid Marchionne in coming weeks. Those two companies paid him $22.2 million in total compensation for 2011.

Chrysler also said total 2012 compensation of its other top four executives more than doubled because they became eligible for a bonus and capitalized on a performance program for the first time.

In 2012, Chrysler said the total compensation for its top four executives after Marchionne was as follows:

--Richard Palmer, chief financial officer and senior vice president, $3.7 million, including a $474,000 bonus.

--Holly Leese, former general counsel, $4.1 million, including a $312,100 bonus.

--Nancy Rae, senior vice president of human resources, $3.3 million, including a $374,130 bonus.

--Michael Manley, senior vice president of international operations and CEO of Jeep, $3 million, including a $380,000 bonus.

Chrysler spokeswoman Shawn Morgan said Chrysler's top executives were not eligible to participate in a performance and bonus plan until 2012 because of restrictions related to government loans Chrysler received in 2009. The company repaid those loans to the U.S. and Canadian governments in 2011.

Marchionne did not receive any money in salary or in bonuses in 2012 and has not received any cash salary from Chrysler since he became CEO in 2009.

On Wednesday, Ford disclosed that it awarded Ford CEO Alan Mulally performance bonuses valued at $11.7 million.

SOURCE

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Chrysler Group LLC is the Fastest Growing Manufacturer in California for Second Consecutive Year

Chrysler Group’s retail sales increased 50 percent in 2012 compared with sales in 2011; Fastest-growing manufacturer in the state

FIAT brand retail sales were up 254 percent in 2012 versus 2011; Fastest-growing brand in the state

Ram Truck brand retail sales were up 47 percent in 2012 compared with sales in 2011

Chrysler brand retail sales increased 43 percent in 2012 versus sales in the prior year

Dodge brand retail sales grew 37 percent in 2012 compared with sales in 2011

Jeep® brand retail sales were up 38 percent in 2012 versus sales in 2011

Chrysler Group retail share increased to 5.8 percent in 2012, up 0.9 percentage points from 2011



March 25, 2013 , Irvine, Calif. -

Chrysler Group LLC’s continued focus on the California market is paying dividends as it was the fastest-growing manufacturer in the state in 2012 with retail sales up 50 percent.

Chrysler Group volume increased 50 percent to 77,266 registrations in California in 2012, up from 51,517 registrations in 2011. In comparison, industry sales in California last year grew by only 26 percent.

Since opening its California Business Center here in 2011, retail registrations have shot up 137 percent, according to Experian Automotive Data, from 32,601 to 77,266. Chrysler Group’s share of the California market, based on retail registrations, has grown to 5.8 percent, up 2.3 percentage points from a 3.5 percent share in 2010.

“Looking back on 2012, we were the fastest-growing manufacturer in the state of California and also one of the fastest-growing automakers in the country,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales, Chrysler Group LLC. “Seven of our vehicles recorded their best ever annual sales in 2012 demonstrating how the quality, design and fuel efficiency of our product line up continues to resonate with consumers.”

By focusing almost exclusively on one of the most important car markets in the world, Chrysler Group’s California Business Center has been able to sustain the momentum started in 2011.

Several factors have contributed to this:
• California-inspired models like the S model vehicles from the Chrysler brand and the Altitude models from the Jeep® brand have strongly appealed to Californians
• Fuel-efficient models like the Dodge Dart, Fiat 500 and Ram 1500 with the 8-speed transmission are being noticed
• California creative and advertising connect Chrysler Group’s varied brands and models to the unique consumer in California. Whether it is using a Ram pickup truck to get to the beach and mountains for surfing and skiing on the same day or taking in many of California’s unique outdoor venues in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Group communicates that it has a brand and model to fit the consumer’s lifestyle

Chrysler Group is not resting and looks forward to a strong 2013. The Dodge Dart is now the highest-volume model in the Dodge brand lineup in the state, and a California Special Edition package is due to hit dealer showrooms later this month.

An all-new Jeep Cherokee returns this fall and will compete in California’s third-largest segment, the mid-size SUV segment. The FIAT brand is adding the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, the Fiat 500e and the larger Fiat 500L. The Jeep brand just refreshed the award-winning Grand Cherokee adding a diesel version, refreshed Heavy Duty Ram pickup trucks arrive later this year and the SRT Viper returns this year as well.

“We had a strong year in 2012, as the California consumer continued to respond to our new and refreshed products,” said Jason Stoicevich, Director of the California Business Center. “A combination of California-inspired models, unique California advertising, new dealers, healthier dealers and new fuel-efficient models like the 41 mpg Dodge Dart have really resonated with consumers in the Golden State.”

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Chrysler Group Recognized as a Top Supporter of Black Engineering Schools for Third Consecutive Year

Prestigious “Top Supporters” list selected with input from the deans of the nation’s 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Chrysler Group remains committed to developing and nurturing its diverse technical leaders in the STEM disciplines

Company notes most recent outstanding professional accomplishments of diverse employee engineering leaders


April 1, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -
Chrysler Group LLC has been named a top a supporter of engineering programs at the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the third consecutive year, according to U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine.

In making its final selection, USBE&IT considered input from the deans of the nation’s 14 accredited HBCUs and from members of the corporate-academic alliance, Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering. Each year, the magazine selects ten corporate and ten government or non-profit organizations that provide the most support to HBCUs. The “Top Supporter” list has been in existence for ten years.

“On behalf of Chrysler Group, we are honored to be recognized for our commitment to the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities as a great source of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) talent,” said Georgette Borrego Dulworth, Director – Talent Acquisition and Diversity, Chrysler Group LLC. “Identifying and recruiting diverse talent with world-class skills is imperative to our Company’s continued success.”

Chrysler Group also remains committed to developing and nurturing its diverse technical leaders in the STEM disciplines.

In February, USBE&IT awarded its 2012 Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) Visionary Award to Chrysler Group’s Larry Williams, Director - Interior Engineering. The BEYA Conference honors outstanding leaders in the STEM fields and provides excellent opportunities for professional development, networking and recruiting. Williams was the latest in a long list of BEYA-winning engineers at Chrysler Group.

In October 2012, USBE&IT recognized Chrysler Group’s Olabisi Boyle, Director - Engineering Planning with the 2012 Women of Color Leadership Award, recognizing her extraordinary accomplishments in leading and managing in the STEM disciplines. Boyle was previously recognized as a Women of Color “Technology Rising Star” and is a past recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award.

“We are consistently finding many organizations that are doing their fair share in building the STEM pipeline," said Tyrone Taborn, editor in chief of USBE&IT magazine. "Black students and professionals want to know what these organizations are doing for their colleges because they want to work for employers that are committed to their community."

About Chrysler Group’s leadership commitment to diversity, inclusion and diverse talent development
In 2012, the Detroit Free Press named Chrysler Group as one of the best places to work in the state of Michigan. In 2011 and 2012, the editors of DiversityInc magazine named Chrysler Group to the magazine's list of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity." This coveted annual benchmark is comprised of companies the magazine's editors believe are diversity-management leaders.

In addition, Chrysler Group has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother magazine 13 times, and has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion of LGBT employees.

Over the years, a long line of Chrysler Group employees have received important professional recognition from various diversity organizations, including Black Engineer of the Year, Women of Color, HENAAC Great Minds in STEM and others, reflecting the Company’s strong commitment to attracting and developing a diverse, talented workforce.

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Chrysler buys $7M Harley-Davidson test track in Florida



04/03/2013

Chrysler Group LLC has purchased a 531-acre test track on the edge of the Florida Everglades.

The facility, which includes a 2.1-mile straightaway and a 1.1-mile oval, was owned the Harley-Davidson Motor Co., which will continue to use the track to test motorcycles. Chrysler paid $7 million for the proving grounds, which was used by Ford Motor Co. before Harley-Davidson purchased it in 2002.

Located in Naples, Fla., it will be Chrysler's third automobile testing facility in the United States.

"The road surfaces that they have on the track there really offer optimum conditions for weather season testing," said Chrysler spokesman Michael Palese. "We'll be doing a lot of handling-type tests. We'll be able to do testing all year round."

Chrysler's main proving grounds are located in Chelsea, which Palese said will remain the automaker's primary vehicle evaluation track.

"It's our hometown testing facility," he said.

The company also has proving grounds in Arizona that it shares with Harley-Davidson, too.

From The Detroit News: Chrysler buys $7M Harley-Davidson test track in Florida | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

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Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC Announce Publication of 2012 Sustainability Report
April 9, 2013 , Turin, Italy and Auburn Hills, Mich. -

Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC today announced the release of the Fiat S.p.A. 2012 Sustainability Report, detailing the combined sustainability initiatives, achievements and targets of the two organizations.

The Report covers the companies’ sustainability efforts at every stage in a vehicle’s lifecycle - from design, selection of suppliers and materials, production, logistics, customer experience, vehicle use, through final disposal. The Sustainability Plan communicates progress on the Group’s commitments to generate value responsibly with respect to good corporate governance, environmentally responsible products, plants and processes; a healthy, safe and inclusive work environment; and constructive relationships with local communities and business partners.

“Our business philosophy, where product excellence goes hand-in-hand with acting responsibly, involves everyone throughout the entire organization, beginning with top management,” said Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat S.p.A. and Chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group LLC. “Nearly 215,000 people around the world put that philosophy into practice every day through their commitment and dedication to making Fiat-Chrysler a strong and competitive group, while never losing sight of our moral obligation to contribute to the well-being of society as a whole and to the construction of a better future.”

Highlights of the Group’s sustainability achievements for 2012 include:

Continued leadership on CO2 emissions, as the Fiat brand was recognized for the sixth consecutive year for cars with the lowest average CO2 emissions among the best-selling brands in Europe
Production launch in the United States of the Fiat 500e, a zero-emission electric vehicle
Continued leadership in natural gas-powered vehicles in Europe, with 10 models offered by Fiat, and the launch in North America of the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG, the only factory-built natural gas pickup
Highest safety rating recognitions achieved by the new Fiat 500L, Dodge Dart and Fiat Viaggio
Further progress reducing the environmental impact of the Group’s production processes: CO2 emissions reduced 5.5%, energy use reduced 6.5% and water consumption reduced 13.4% compared with 2011 levels
Pomigliano d’Arco plant awarded with the Automotive Lean Production 2012 award for being the best lean factory in Europe
Continued focus on employee health and well-being initiatives, including those addressing work-life balance issues
More than one million hours of training provided to employees on health and safety topics – an increase of +54% compared with 2011
€21 million donated to local communities in 2012
Confirmation of Fiat S.p.A. for the fourth consecutive year in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) World and Europe, and inclusion in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) Italy 100 and the Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) Italy 100


The Report confirmed the maximum Application Level (A+) of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1 guidelines. It was externally audited and assured by SGS Italia S.p.A., in compliance with the Sustainability Reporting Assurance SGS internal procedure (SRA), with the GRI-G3.1 guidelines, and with the AA1000 APS (2008) standard. The GRI is the most widely used reporting framework for performance on environmental, social and other corporate citizenship issues.

The complete Report can be found at:
FIAT S.p.A. - Sustainability and Chrysler Group LLC - Sustainability

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Chrysler Group Announces Management Changes

April 15, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -

Chrysler Group LLC is pleased to announce the following changes to its Leadership Team effective today.

Reid Bigland is named President and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. He continues as head of U.S. Sales, and President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. Most recently, he was President and CEO of the Dodge Brand. Bigland came to Chrysler in July 2006 from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, a South Carolina-based company.

Timothy Kuniskis is named President and CEO of the Dodge Brand. He most recently served as Head of the FIAT Brand for North America. Kuniskis joined Chrysler in 1992 and has held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the Company’s business center operations and marketing organization.

Jason Stoicevich is appointed Head of the FIAT Brand for North America. Stoicevich retains the position as director of the California Business Center. In his 10 years of service with Chrysler, Stoicevich has gained experience in a variety of assignments in the Company’s business center operations.

Bruno Cattori is appointed President and CEO of Chrysler de México. Cattori most recently served as Director for Retail Sales and Fleet for all Chrysler Group brands in Mexico, a position which he retains. Prior to rejoining Chrysler Group in early 2012, he served as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mexico. Cattori began his career at Chrysler in 1988 and has held a series of positions with increasing responsibility.

“These appointments are part of the Chrysler Group’s strategy to continuously reinforce its leadership ranks as we continue on our path to achieve our business targets,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group LLC. “They are a further confirmation of the depth of our talent pool and of the exceptional opportunities that are available to our people as part of their career development.”

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group’s culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat’s complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.