Chrysler Celebrates History of Jeep in Toledo

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Toledo, Ohio, Jun 18, 2007 - As demolition of the former Jeep Parkway facility in Toledo draws to a close, the Chrysler Group today announced plans to preserve one of the three recognizable smokestacks on the site. The smokestacks have been a well known part of the Toledo skyline since 1915.

Toledo's Parkway Plant was the oldest manufacturing facility in North America, churning out approximately 11 million vehicles in its 96-year history. Operations at the site ceased in 2006, after 64 years of manufacturing Jeep brand products, including military vehicles for World War II. Production of the Jeep Wrangler and the new, four-door Unlimited version of the Wrangler was relocated to the new, $2.1 billion state-of-the-art Toledo Supplier Park last year.

"While the Parkway facility no longer served our manufacturing needs, the site holds a rich history and is close to my heart," said Deb Morrisssett, Vice President - Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group. "We are invested in Toledo's past and the city's future. We hope that the preserved smokestack serves as a reminder to the citizens of Toledo of the important role they played in history."

In 1909, the site became the headquarters and main manufacturing facility for the Willys-Overland Motor Company. Parkway began producing Jeep military vehicles in the early 1940s before switching over to the Civilian Jeep (CJ) in 1945. In 1953, Kaiser Motors purchased Willys-Overland, and ten years later Kaiser-Jeep Corporation took ownership and then sold it to American Motors Corporation in 1970.

The Chrysler Group also announced plans for bricks from the two demolished smokestacks. "We're inviting Toledo residents to own a piece of Jeep history by purchasing the bricks from those smokestacks," said Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President - External Affairs and Public Policy for the Chrysler Group. "Proceeds from the sale will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo. In addition, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund will match the proceeds - doubling the benefit to this worthy cause. So in a way, the two stacks will remain a part of this community." The bricks will be available for $39.99. Details on the brick sale can be found at www.thescoop-cg.com/jeepbricks/.

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