NEWS

2008 Chrysler Town & Country Nets Ward’s “Best Interior” Award

Award marks IAC’s role as world class supplier of interiors systems

DETROIT (June 5, 2008) – Ward’s AutoWorld editors selected the Chrysler (RT platform) Town & Country minivan interior as “Best in Class” from a tough category filled with popular European and Asian luxury crossover and SUV vehicles.

The award came as no surprise to IAC, which had intentionally displayed the RT door panel in its booth during the two-day Ward’s Interiors Conference in anticipation of the RT winning the coveted award. Chrysler, and other OEMs whose vehicle interiors earn Ward’s “Best in Class” status, leverage the award in their consumer advertising in an effort to drive more consumer traffic to dealer showrooms. According to recent JD Power studies consumers are placing vehicle interiors much higher on their list of factors influencing their vehicle purchases.

IAC’s Contribution to the RT:

IAC integrated new technologies and multiple features to enhance the interior experience for the driver and passengers in the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan interior components are largely supplied by IAC, including the instrument panel, door panels, flooring, acoustical products and the overhead system module. These components were designed and engineered with a single goal in mind – to maximize the storage capabilities of the interior while maintaining the exceptional ride quality for passengers. According to IAC consumer research, cargo capacity is a main consideration in 45 percent of all van segment purchase decisions.

"Each of the components we supply to this vehicle are engineered to be as functional as possible, while remaining aesthetically pleasing and not compromising the passenger's comfort," said Maurice Sessel, vice president, Product Engineering at IAC. "We are extremely proud to have created what we feel, and Ward’s has confirmed, is the ultimate interior experience in a vehicle like the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan."

The overhead console is one of the most remarkable components of the vehicle, housing a dual-action door with conversation mirror and sunglasses holder, two DVD monitors with available SIRIUS Backseat TV, multiple storage compartments, and available LED and halo lighting effects.

The front and sliding doors have also received improved features with map pockets in the upper and lower portions of the front door panels for convenience. IAC integrated two map pockets into the door panels to maximize cargo capacity. In addition, the rear sliding doors now have an optional integrated retractable sunshade to protect rear passengers from ultraviolet rays.

Recognized for the Effort:

“The Ward’s award reaffirms our pride and success in the RT interior,” said President and CEO Jim Kamsickas. “It will always be remembered as one of the biggest, most defining programs in IAC’s young history, and it truly required close cooperation across multiple teams within IAC,” he said.

Last autumn, Chrysler officials took time to salute IAC team members for a tremendous RT interior program launch performance. They included:

Mike Sabiston - Quality Manager, IAC Chrysler Group
Kip Kipila - Quality Director, IAC Chrysler Group
Mark Zaun - Platform Director, RT Minivan Platform Director
Jerry Rimstidt - Plant Manager, Greencastle, Ind.
Shawn Wendt - Plant Manager, Wauseon, Ohio

IAC locations involved in the manufacture of RT interior components, include:

Doors - Greencastle and Wauseon
Instrument Panel and Instrument Panel Components - Huron, Ohio; Iowa City, Iowa and Strasburg, Va..
Flooring and Acoustics - Greenville, S.C.: Sheboygan, Wisc.; Carlisle, Penn.; Sidney, Ohio; Montgomery, N.C. and Ramos, Coahuila, Mexico
Overhead Consoles - Alma, Mich.
Headliners and Visors - Port Huron, Mich. and Mendon, Mich.
HVAC Ducts - Maple, Ontario, Canada and Fremont, Ohio

“Everyone associated with the Chrysler minivan launch should be extremely proud of their efforts,” said Kamsickas. “I congratulate each and every one of these facilities, along with numerous cross-company teams (e.g. product engineering and design, program management, commercial, MP&L) that have been supporting the RT platform,” he said. “They all did a world-class job and it was, again, confirmed this month by the editors of Ward’s AutoWorld.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP

International Automotive Components Group is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including interior and exterior trim and structural and functional applications. IAC’s annual global revenue exceeds $5.3 billion. International Automotive Components Group operates manufacturing facilities in 17 countries with more than 28,000 employees. IAC ranks #13 on the 2008 Automotive News Top 150 North American Supplier Listing and #1 on the Plastics News North American Injection Molding Listing. For more information, visit www.iacgroup.com.

Contact David Ladd with IAC North America at (313) 240-3248.