With the success of the all- new Jeep® Grand Cherokee and the proud heritage of the Wrangler and Cherokee, it's no surprise that 1999 has been a record-setting year for Jeep sales. With a month still left in the year, the Jeep brand set a new calendar year sales record with 510,869 vehicles sold through the end of November. The prior record was set in 1996 when the brand sold 509,183 units in the full calendar year.

``Jeep is one of the most recognized brands around the world,'' said Martin R. Levine, Vice President, Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep Division. ``The appeal of the Jeep brand continues to broaden as more customers discover what Jeep is all about -- the best combination of off-road capability and on-road manners.''

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee -- introduced in late 1998 -- has led the record-setting pace with 284,130 units sold through mid-December, compared with the 1996 calendar year record of 279,195. A total of 85,188 Jeep Wrangler vehicles have been sold through mid-December, surpassing the previous high mark of 83,861 set in 1998.

``We are especially pleased with the sales performance of the Grand Cherokee,'' said Levine. ``Customers recognize the Grand Cherokee as the standard in luxury and capability in the upper end of the SUV market. By the same token, Wrangler continues to grow in popularity by offering customers an unprecedented blend of freedom, fun and unrivaled off-road capability. And we're confident that the Cherokee's stellar 1999 performance will surpass the previous sales record of 162,655, set in 1989.''

It was also a banner year internationally for the Jeep brand. Outside North America, Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are up 18 percent, January through November, as compared to the same time period last year. Grand Cherokee has become the second best selling vehicle for the Chrysler group overseas, trailing only the Chrysler Voyager, with sales totaling 39,082. With sales thus far through December, the all-time Grand Cherokee international record set in 1997 at 39,902, has been eclipsed with 40,289 units sold in 1999.