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Dakota is Top Compact Pickup in Latest J.D. Power Report

6 May 1999

Dakota is Top Compact Pickup in Latest J.D. Power Report; Overall Dodge Truck Lineup Scores High Marks

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 5 -- The largest and most powerful
compact pickup in the segment is also the highest in quality.  In results
released today by J.D. Power & Associates, Dodge Dakota scored the best among
all compact pickups in the company's Initial Quality Study (IQS2).  Dakota
improved more than 20 percent from the previous year and beat all other
domestic and import compacts including Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10 and Toyota
Tacoma.  And Dakota wasn't the only Dodge Truck to score high in the latest
ratings, as both the Dodge Ram full-size pickup and Dodge Durango compact
sport-utility vehicle ranked second in their respective segments.
    "This is a testament to the incredible effort the Dodge Truck team has put
into building not only the boldest lineup of trucks, but the best," said Jim
Julow, Vice President, Dodge Car and Truck Division.  "It is especially
gratifying that as we go forward with the new 2000 Dakota Quad Cab later this
year, we'll do so with the highest quality compact truck in the market."
    Dakota's score of 163 is 46 points better than the previous year -- and
more than seven percent better than the average for all compact pickups.
Dakota scored especially high marks for ride and handling, interior and
exterior design and features -- critically important areas for the wide range
of customers.
    "In addition to the roominess and power inherent in Dakota -- and all
Dodge Trucks -- we engineered in nimble handling and a unique and highly
functional package," said John Felice, Vice President, Dodge Truck Platform
Engineering.  "We are very pleased that the growing list of Dodge Truck owners
is a happy one."
    Durango improved over 25 percent from 1998 to move into the second spot
among compact SUVs, while Ram held its second place position in the full-size
category from a year ago.  The three Dodge Trucks were not the only American-
branded DaimlerChrysler products to show significant improvement
from a year ago.  Plymouth Breeze, Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Cirrus all
scored in the top five in the lower mid-size segment.  Three of the top four
minivans were the Chrysler Town & Country, Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan,
confirming the Company's leadership position in this segment.  All showed
marked improvement from 1998.
    J.D. Power surveys personal-use retail customers of new 1999 vehicles who
either purchased or leased their car or light truck in November or December of
1998.  More than 41,000 respondents were asked a variety of questions relating
to nine areas, among them ride and handling, braking, features and controls
and engine.  The study involves approximately 130 cars and 70 light trucks.
Vehicles are ranked according to total amount of complaints per 100 vehicles.