Michigan, U.S.A. — Chrysler Group LLC and United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) are teaming up to fight against the epidemic of childhood hunger that has plagued the region in recent years. Chrysler Group is calling its more than 57,000 employees to tap their energy and the company’s spirit of volunteerism to help the hungry and to spread understanding and utilization of UWSEM’s programs.

“We are in a unique position – as a company that has been to hell and back – to provide a beacon of hope,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO. “We can choose to make a positive difference in the world. It’s time for us to help generate a turning point within our community for people in need.”

Marchionne is serving as this year’s UWSEM campaign chair. In this role, his primary responsibility is to promote growth, fundraising and educational efforts for the campaign throughout the community. Ending child hunger is one of the biggest areas of concern for UWSEM. The organization’s Michigan No Kid Hungry program provides free meals to children in need throughout the summer and school year across Southeastern Michigan.

Chrysler is rallying its employees to pledge to do their part to end childhood hunger by increasing awareness about the United Way’s Summer Meals Programs, volunteering in food-related community service activities and by gathering food donations at the company’s Southeastern Michigan facilities. To sign the pledge and get involved, employees and the public can go to the United Way web site (http://www.liveunitedsem.org/ChryslerPledges).

To enable and encourage these types of activities, Chrysler recently announced a new corporate policy that allows employees to use up to 18 hours per year of their normal working hours to take part in company-sponsored charitable or public-service activities.

“Building awareness of the United Way’s school and summer food programs is the key to reducing child hunger,” said Michael Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “The most basic need for all people is food and nutrition. As more families are faced with dwindling resources, they often do not have enough money to purchase the food they need and are unaware that assistance is as easy as dialing 2-1-1. That’s why it is important for major corporations such as Chrysler to use their energy and resources to spread the message.”

In 2011, through the generosity of Chrysler Group employee pledges, including UAW and CAW represented employees, more than $4.6 million was donated to United Way campaigns in the U.S. and in Canada. In addition, during the year hundreds of Chrysler Group employees volunteered thousands of hours to support United Way agencies and activities – from Pontiac to Detroit, Warren, Fraser and more communities in the state where their time and resources were needed to help others.

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Burbank, U.S.A. - Warner Bros. Pictures and the Chrysler brand have teamed up to bring fans the opportunity of a lifetime surrounding the July 20th release of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, the much-anticipated conclusion to the blockbuster Dark Knight trilogy. June 15 marks the launch of the “Imported from Gotham City” contest, allowing fans to create an original co-branded TV spot featuring these two iconic brands. Director/writer/producer Christopher Nolan will select the winning spot, which will debut on television around the release of the film.

Contestants will have two weeks to create their “Imported from Gotham City” original commercial utilizing a suite of assets, including Chrysler 300 car footage, film footage and music stems from the trailer that contestants can remix for their spot. At the conclusion of the contest, a gallery of submissions will go live on Saturday, June 30, kicking off a four-day public voting period when fans can weigh-in on their favorite Gotham City collaboration.

The top three finalists will be announced online and Christopher Nolan will personally choose the winner.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to tap into the creative community online and allow those who participate to showcase their talent and passion. We look forward to seeing what unique spots people produce,” says Nolan.

The winning spot will be determined by a number of judging criteria, including public vote, originality, creativity, memorability and brand effectiveness. Warner Bros. and Chrysler will debut the winning commercial on national television the week of the film’s release — watch for specific date and airing details to be announced shortly. The winner will receive a trip to Hollywood to finish their spot alongside a professional editor before traveling to New York City to attend the red carpet premiere screening of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ on Monday, July 16.

Playing off Chrysler brand’s “Imported from Detroit” advertising campaign, the contest pushes the realm of the user-generated contest to a new level, allowing fans to take to the driver’s seat and test their creative skills within the world of Gotham City.

Apart from the winning contest spot, Chrysler will unveil another 30-second, co-branded television spot titled “Imported from Gotham City” in celebration of the partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures. Directed by Stacy Wall, the spot was designed and shot to look and feel similar to the world of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Featuring a 2012 Chrysler 300, the spot will make its broadcast debut on Tuesday, June 19, on the NBC network. A 60-second spot will also run online. Once live, both spots will be available on the Chrysler brand YouTube channel.

“The 2012 Chrysler 300 featured in this marketing and advertising campaign was created intentionally to look as if it could be driven on the streets and fit in to the nightlife of Gotham City; it’s clearly a vehicle that stands out and makes one take notice,” said Saad Chehab, President and CEO – Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

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The recently released Hollywood film TRESPASS starring Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman gave the public a glimpse of a chic new approach to collectible art, known as Desk Architecture.

The brainchild of leading design expert Vladymir Rogov, the exotic Desk Architecture collection focuses on everyday functional objects in social rituals and human interactions.

During the film’s pre-production phase, Rogov was contacted regarding the possibility of featuring an all-silver collection in select scenes of the film. The selections included a Letter Tray, Letter Holder and Opener, two Ashtrays, two Clocks and a Picture Frame.

The highly distinctive works of art impressed several interior designers who saw the movie, then subsequently traced them to Rogov and ordered several for their clients’ homes.

“I was very pleased when I got their calls,” Rogov stated, “because it validated the producer’s decision to include the pieces in the film, while giving collectors wider exposure to unique designs.”

Designed for an exclusive niche of collectors, Rogov’s Desk Architecture offers discrimination and differentiation. Desk Architecture is heirloom quality and will last for generations. The line is manufactured in Southern California in limited editions, and is available in black nickel, silver or 24-karat gold clad. Each piece ships with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.

Rogov is regarded as a master at developing distinctive impressions for a wide range of everyday items — from musical instruments for kids and luxury vehicles for grown-ups to medical instrumentation for healthcare providers, to rugged military equipment and exotic housewares.

He has designed for such mega-brands as Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, and Rank Xerox; sleek home products such as glassware for Cascade; lighting for Compagnie des Lampes, France; and home products for Marks & Spencer, Habitat and Conran stores.

His design expertise has also been applied to coolers for Coleman; luxurious bathroom systems for Boeing; exotic seating for Aston Martin; self-serve gas stations for Exxon; printers for Hewlett-Packard; motion capture cameras for Kodak; point-of-purchase displays for Yamaha; TVs for Samsung; and clocks and musical instruments for Casio.

Rogov’s designs have led to five U.S. patents and numerous international awards, including two “International Design Excellence Awards” (IDEA) from the Industrial Designers Society of America.

He is also an influential and entertaining speaker who’s amusing and enlightening insights on art, culture and business make him an audience favorite.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/TrespassMovie

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The new Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV III) regulations officially adopted by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) on March 22, 2012 will establish the world’s most stringent tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions standards for new passenger vehicles.

With LEV III, California’s new light-duty vehicle tailpipe emission regulations are to be phased in during model years 2017-2025. In that time, all vehicles sold in California will have to meet Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) tailpipe standards.

“The fact that diesel technology is both proven and widely available today is also critical to making early progress toward California’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Some of the other more exotic fuels and vehicle technologies, while promising, remain in the very earliest stage of development or at minimal market penetration levels.

These new clean diesels will now help in meeting California’s near-term and long-term environmental, energy and climate goals,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

“Just as Californians are experiencing some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation, with an average of$4.23 a gallon according to the Energy Information Administration, the interest in diesel cars is at its highest level ever,” Schaeffer said. “Last year, clean diesel car sales in the U.S. increased 27% and sales in 2012 are up more than 32%. The high fuel prices and stricter emissions regulations are playing a key role in the increases sales of clean diesel autos.”

Schaeffer cited several recent North American examples of the environmental advances in clean diesel technology and lower emissions. This included the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where the all new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI clean diesel was voted the winner of the 2012 Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year of the Most Earth Friendly Vehicle and the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel was named Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Several new clean diesel autos are to be introduced to U.S. market. Chrysler announced that it will be introducing a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel in 2013 or 2014 while a diesel powered Porsche Cayenne would be coming to the U.S. in 2012. Mazda on the other hand will become the first Asian car manufacturer to sell diesel cars in the U.S. when it introduces its SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine.

“While most auto makers have clean diesel autos on the market in Europe, Asia and Australia, there are growing indications that even more diesels are on their way to the U.S. market,” Schaeffer said.

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As Crain’s Detroit Business’ Newsmakers of the Year, Saad Chehab and Sue Mosey are bringing new life to the city, their industries, and the people of Detroit.

Saad Chehab, CEO of Chrysler Group LLC’s Chrysler Brand, has driven Chrysler’s new tagline: ‘Imported from Detroit’ straight into the heart of Detroiters and car- lovers, alike.  As the brains behind Chrysler’s SuperBowl XLV commercial featuring rapper, and Detroit-native, Eminem, Chehab casted the city in an ‘us against the world’ role.  The commercial showcased popular Detroit venues and highlighted the city’s best features.

That has certainly proven to be accurate, especially for Chrysler who saw significant improvement in sales after the commercial aired.  In December of 2011, Chrysler sold 138,019 new vehicles, up 37% from the 100,702 sold in December of 2010.

“Those results, that campaign, that marketing, that product, that effort and hard work are speaking for themselves and their sales. I couldn’t be happier,” said the newly named CEO for the Chrysler Brand.

Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit Inc., is being recognized for her significant accomplishments in resurrecting the Midtown area.  Mosey has been working with local investors to populate formerly empty buildings with a variety of businesses including wine bars, yoga studios, and even a Whole Foods Market, the first in the city of Detroit.

These efforts have invigorated the real estate market in Midtown Detroit in an attempt to bring new residents to the area. In addition, some Detroit companies have even begun to provide incentives for their employees to live in Midtown as a result of Mosey’s efforts.

“When you drive the neighborhood, you see new businesses, construction, things happening here,” says Mosey. “That’s probably the most important thing for anyone looking at investment opportunities.”

Chehab and Mosey’s accomplishments will be celebrated at Crain’s Detroit Business’ Newsmaker of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. The luncheon begins at noon and will feature addresses from Chehab and Mosey, as well as a question and answer session, with both Newsmakers.

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The USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad Meter winner has been announced and Doritos “Sling Baby” came out on top for 2012. The ad features a grandmother who creates a way to sling her grandson – with a rubber band-like setup – across the yard to grab a Doritos bag from a taunting boy.  The Facebook community rated the ad a 4.33 (on a scale of 1 to 5 stars).

The top five ads chosen by the Facebook community and their score:

• Doritos – Sling Baby – 4.33
• Bud Light – Weego – 4.25
• Kia – A Dream Car. For Real Life. – 4.23
• Chrysler – It’s Halftime In America – 4.23
• M&Ms – Ms. Brown/Just My Shell – 4.22

In the event of a ratings tie, higher rank goes to the ad that received the larger number of votes.

The USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad meter voting was open to Facebook’s more than 800 million global users. Facebook users could view, rate and share all the national ads that aired during the game.  Voting began right after the first ad aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday night and continued until 6:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Complete results can be found at admeter.usatoday.com and facebook.com/sports as well as in Wednesday’s print editions of USA TODAY.

Created in 1989 to gauge consumers’ opinions about television’s most expensive commercials, Ad Meter and has been a subject of great consumer interest and conversation over the years. The 2012 USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad Meter combines the industry authority of USA TODAY with the social engagement of Facebook.

With the rise of social media as a tool for consumers to voice, share and discover topics of conversation, this year’s collaboration between USA TODAY and Facebook for Ad Meter 2012 is an evolution of how America discusses and rates ads during and after the Super Bowl, one of the most popular ad spend days of the year.

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After almost seven weeks of contract negotiations in Detroit, Michigan, the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) and General Motors (GM) agreed on a new, four-year contract on September 20. The new contract includes pay raises for entry-level workers, and new healthcare benefits, as well as job creation and retention.

Current second-tier workers will earn $18.28 by the end of the four years. Starting wages will range from $14.78 to $16.53, depending on seniority. First-tier workers will earn $19.28 at the end of the four years. Starting wages for first-tier workers will be $15.78 to $17.53, also dependent on seniority.

New employees will also receive annual pay raises. At the end of a four year period, they will earn the same amount as current employees. How much they earn is based on which tier they are part of. They will also receive a $5,000 signing bonus as part of the new contract.

As part of the new contract, employees will be able to visit the doctor as many times they as they need and pay $25 for each visit. They will also have annual wellness physical exams, paid in full by GM. They will not have co-pay for emergency room or urgent care visits. Workers will also have improved dental care. Doctor’s visits were also extended to workers’ children.

Approximately 6,400 jobs that would have been sent to factories in Mexico will be created or saved for the US. Additionally, new products and jobs will be created at current factories in Tennessee, Michigan, and Montana, and a soon-to-be-determined factory in Indiana. The new jobs and products is the result of a $2.5 billion investment from GM.

The old contract expired on September 14 at 11:59 p.m. This was the first set of contract negotiations since GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2009. President Obama urged the company to pursue aggressive budget cuts to avoid bankruptcy, but the company was unsuccessful. According to a CBS timeline of GM, the company had almost $200 billion in debt. In July 2009, the US government bailed out the company for $50 billion.

The UAW also began negotiations with Chrysler and Ford. Chrysler is expected to come up with an agreement with the UAW soon. The company agreed to extend its contract with the UAW, and they will continue talks. Ford has extended negotiations to mid-October.

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