November 22^nd, 1999                             

Grand Cherokee scoops major Australian awards

The Jeep® Grand Cherokee has been named "Best 4WD of 1999" in the RACQ/Courier Mail QCAR awards and "Best 4WD of 1999" in the RACT Awards.

The awards were announced at functions in Brisbane and Hobart today.

Editor of the official RACQ magazine The Road Ahead, Mr Jim Mathers said that the Grand Cherokee met all the criteria to take out the award in Queensland: "The grand Cherokee offers excellent value for money, it is well equipped, has very good off-road ability, as well as towing ability and all-round travelling comfort," Mr Mathers said.

Released in Australia in July, the Grand Cherokee has been well accepted in the Australian marketplace and has received rave reviews in the press. It is available in two variants, the Grand Cherokee Laredo, powered by 4.0 litre six cylinder engine, or the luxurious V8-powered Limited.

Commenting on the awards so far bestowed on the Grand Cherokee, managing director of the Chrysler Vehicles Division of DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific, Mr Steve Shugg said: "We are very proud to receive these awards. We were confident that we had a winning vehicle when we released the Grand Cherokee in July, and these awards only confirm that. The Grand Cherokee offers power, comfort and excellent value for money.

"The Australian public have warmed to the Grand Cherokee and our sales rates in comparison to last year reflect that. We currently have a running rate of in excess of 250 Grand Cherokees per month and we think that is pretty good for a luxury four-wheel drive vehicle.

"We at Chrysler take these awards very seriously. We understand the exhaustive process the judges go through to reach their decisions and that only makes us more proud of our vehicle, especially considering the excellent competition we were up against."

The QCAR awards are run by the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland in conjunction with the Courier Mail newspaper. Judges are a combination of automotive journalists, racing drivers and members of the public.

The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Awards are run in conjunction with the QCAR Awards and specialist judges from Tasmania are included in the judging panel. These judges do not necessarily have to concur with the Queensland judges’ decision.

At the awards presentation in Hobart, publications editor of the RACT, Mr David Rose said: "Tasmania has a high population of four-wheel drive owners and we are very discerning. The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers our readers a well-rounded package and good value for money. Our test was very arduous and the Jeep came through with flying colours and took out the award against strong competition.

"Its blend of on and off-road ability combined with excellent value for money got the Grand Cherokee the winning decision," added Mr Rose.