1/14/10
CHRYSLER'S COMMITMENT
Company earns new honor for promoting diversity

UAW Vice President General Holiefield, (left) and Fred M. Diaz, president of Chrysler’s Ram Truck Brand, accept the Urban Wheels Award from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)

Chrysler won the Diversity Leadership Award because of its historic commitment to workplace diversity, small and minority-owned business development and to diverse communities, even in challenging times.

In addition, the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty truck was honored as a finalist for Urban Truck of the Year, adding to its growing list of awards and distinctions, which includes being named 2010 Truck of the Year by the editors of Motor Trend magazine.

The Urban Wheels Awards is an annual diversity event that is held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). This is the only event that celebrates diversity in the automotive industry during the NAIAS.

The event brings attention to vehicles, executives, advertising and charitable endeavors that are particularly resonant with the diversity community, as determined by a panel of judges comprising diversity journalists. The annual event is supported by the diversity publication, On Wheels, which has broad exposure in the diversity community.

"Our leadership teams are convinced that diversity will continue to be vital to building a successful company and union for the future," said UAW Vice President General Holiefield, who is director of the UAW’s Chrysler Department. "On behalf of our leadership teams, our employees and members, we are proud to receive this recognition."

"Despite many challenges, Chrysler Group has maintained a leadership commitment to promote diversity throughout our business enterprise," said Fred M. Diaz, president and CEO of Chrysler’s Ram Truck Brand. "This is revealed by the many awards our diversity programs continue to receive and the innovation and pride reflected in the products our employees design and build – products such as our Ram Heavy Duty truck, Motor Trend magazine's 2010 Truck of the Year."

"Chrysler Group has an outstanding record supporting diversity throughout its business and in the communities it serves," said Randi Payton, President and CEO of On Wheels Media. "This year – in particular – we wanted to recognize the Chrysler Group's consistently outstanding commitment to its workforce and to stimulating small and minority-owned businesses throughout the country."

Since 1983, Chrysler Group has purchased more than $41 billion from minority-owned companies. In addition, Chrysler Group was recently named to Hispanic Business magazine's Diversity Elite 60, for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

Regarding workplace diversity, Chrysler Group was recently named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine, the 12th time Chrysler Group has achieved this prestigious benchmark, and the second consecutive year the that Chrysler was the only automaker to be included on the list.

Chrysler Group was recently recognized for the fourth time by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of 305 leading corporations to score a perfect 100 percent on the foundation's 2010 Corporate Equality Index, which rates corporations annually based on their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace policies and benefits.