Chrysler Offers Two Jeeps to Help Earthquake Victims

Chrysler and its supplier VM Motori S.p.A. (a diesel engine manufacturing company located in Cento, Italy) have donated two Jeep vehicles to the Italian Civil Protection Department, in order to support their efforts made to relief the victims of the earthquake.

The earthquake that struck the central Italian region of Abruzzo on April 6, 2009, was the most powerful (6.3 moment magnitude) and also deadliest since the 1980 Irpinia one. At least 294 people are known to have died, 1,500 were injured and around 10,000 buildings were damaged. Several buildings also collapsed.

The two Jeep vehicles that Chrysler LLC donated were a Jeep Liberty and a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which were used by VM Motori for diesel emissions testing and engine development.

The Wrangler has a maximum power of 202 horsepower delivered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and a 0 to 60 mph acceleration done in approximately 9 seconds with top speed rated at 90 mph. It was the first four wheeled vehicle to reach an altitude of over 6,600 meters.

As for the Liberty model, it comes with a 2.8-liter DOHC 16-valve common-rail diesel engine, offered especially for the diesel markets outside North America.

“Chrysler LLC donated a Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler to the Italian Civil Protection Department so it has the additional resources it needs for response interventions and initiatives to assist the people of the Abruzzo region after this devastating disaster,” said John T. Bozzella, Senior Vice President of The Chrysler Foundation.

The Chrysler Foundation, part of Chrysler LLC, supports charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world as well. Last year, the Foundation donated approximately $21 million to nonprofit institutions.