Press Kit: 2008 Chrysler and Dodge Minivans (Launch)

Auburn Hills, Mich. August 5, 2007 - With 35 new or improved features on the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Group again puts the “fun” in function. The all-new minivans offer consumers a package of innovative seating, storage and entertainment features not found on any other minivans in the marketplace.

“The 2008 Chrysler Group minivans lead the mix in functionality with our three distinct seating and storage systems,” said Rick Kukucka, Director – Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Marketing. “The new Swivel ’n Go™ seat system offers families options not available in other minivans such as conversational seating, a place to play games or have a family dinner on the run.”

A key ingredient in the seating and storage mix is the all-new Swivel ’n Go seat system with second-row quad chairs that rotate 180 degrees to face rearward for conversational seating. A removable table fits between the second and third rows to create a “kitchen table” atmosphere that is great for playing games, eating on the go or working from the road. Second-row covered storage bins and a third-row 60/40 bench seat that folds into the floor are included in the Swivel ‘n Go system. The second-row quad seats are available with a minivan-first integrated child booster seat (late availability). The swivel feature also allows easy ingress and egress for children who need to be buckled into child seats or adults who just want easier entry and exit from the second row of the vehicle. With Swivel ’n Go, everything from tailgates to Texas Hold ’Em card tournaments is possible.

The 2008 Chrysler Group minivans continue to offer the industry-exclusive Stow ’n Go® seating and storage system that revolutionized the minivan segment when it was introduced in 2004. With the industry’s only fold into the floor second- and third-row seats, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country can go from seven-passenger minivans to two-person cargo vans that can carry a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood in less than 30 seconds.

Both the Swivel ’n Go and Stow ’n Go seating and storage systems are available with a minivan-first one-touch power-folding third-row seat that can be folded into four different positions with a single push of a button.

A third seating option in the new minivans offers second-row covered storage bins with a removable bench seat and a fold-in-the-floor third-row 60/40 bench seat. Integrated child safety seats are available with the second-row bench seat.

YES Essentials® stain-resistant, odor-resistant and anti-static fabric seats offer easy clean-up and peace of mind when traveling. First- and second-row heated cloth or leather seats offer flexibility and functionality for customers with active lifestyles.

Two front consoles are available in the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. The standard console features four removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders and a center storage space. The console is low to the floor for easy pass-through capability. The optional premium sliding front console features multiple storage areas (including one large enough to hold a purse), 12-volt power outlet and four cup holders. The innovative design of this console allows it to slide rearward in two different sections. For instance, one section can remain forward (servicing the front-row passengers) while the other section can slide rearward to service second-row passengers. The cup holders in the top of the console can be loaded and then slid back to the second-row passengers. DVDs, headphones or other items can be stored in the lower section of the console, which also can slide rearward for the second-row passengers to access. The upper and lower sections of the console can slide rearward independently or together. A total of 21 inches of rearward travel occurs when both the upper and lower sections are moved rearward. The console is removable for easy pass-through.

Seat systems and consoles aren’t the only fresh ideas in the new minivans. Additional storage options are found in the dual glove boxes that offer the most glove-box storage space in the segment, full-length front-door map pockets and useful storage spaces in the front doors. In addition, mesh seat pockets on the second-row bucket seats can hold cell phones, music players or handheld game systems as well as a beverage, while an improved overhead console with four storage bins can house headphones. There’s also an umbrella holder next to the driver’s seat.

Thirteen cup or bottle holders, including new bottle holders molded in the sliding passenger doors, offer passengers plenty of locations to place their beverages when traveling.

Entertainment versatility in the new 2008 Chrysler Group minivans is unmatched by competitors and features an available industry-first SIRIUS Backseat TV. SIRIUS Backseat TV is satellite TV that offers three channels of family programming: Disney Channel, Cartoon Network Mobile and Nickelodeon Mobile. A dual-DVD system that can play different media at the same time is a minivan-first and new for 2008. With this feature, second-row passengers can watch a movie or SIRIUS Backseat TV, while the third-row passengers play a game system. Or second- and third-row passengers can watch different movies or play different gaming systems at the same time. Or one row can listen to an iPod or MP3 player and another row can watch SIRIUS Backseat TV or a movie. All can be done with wireless headphones, allowing front-row passengers to enjoy SIRIUS Satellite Radio, CDs or standard radio. Dual A/V jacks, a 12-volt power outlet and a 115-volt inverter in the second-row C-pillar make aftermarket game-system converter kits a thing of the past on the new minivans. A ten-speaker premium surround-sound audio system with a minivan-first subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier also is available.

In addition, MyGIG™ multimedia infotainment system is available in the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. MyGIG is a CD/DVD/HDD/MP3/satellite radio/navigation system that features a 20-gigabyte hard drive that can store six gigabytes of music or approximately 1,200 songs. MyGIG is one of the most versatile entertainment systems available and includes personalized backgrounds, voice-activated commands, touch-screen functionality, available real-time traffic and navigation, a USB port, a jukebox feature for personalized music play lists and the ability to watch a movie or SIRIUS Backseat TV while the vehicle is in park.

The all-new 2008 Chrysler Group minivans also feature an ambient halo lighting package that includes a soft, greenish-blue halo light in the headliner. This is packaged with pinpoint LED reading lamps in all three rows for a modern automotive interpretation of airplane passenger lights. The movable LED pinpoint lights allow passengers to read, play games or finish homework without disturbing the driver. The halo lighting creates a soft, greenish-blue light that lets passengers make eye contact when having a night-time conversation. LED map lights in the front doors allow the driver and front passenger to easily see the compartments at night.

Second-row power windows, third-row power vents and second- and third-row retractable sunshades offer passengers comfort in any seating position. The sunshades can even be deployed when the second-row windows are down.

Available remote start, power sliding passenger doors and a power liftgate with a new D-pillar-mounted liftgate button offer easier entry and exit.