Chrysler Group Named “Corporation of the Year” by the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce

May 21, 2012 8:30 PM ET
  • Award cites Company’s contribution to the economic advancement of Asian Pacific Americans

(3BL Media) Auburn Hills, MI - May 21, 2012 - The Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) presented Chrysler Group LLC with its Corporation of the Year Award at APACC’s 11th annual dinner celebration Saturday evening in Rochester, Mich.

Chrysler Group received the award for its long history of work “in facilitating resourceful and financially sound business relationships among U.S.- and Asian-based companies and for the Company’s devotion to the economic advancement of Asian Pacific Americans.”

“Chrysler Group values diversity and inclusion throughout our enterprise,” said Sig Huber, Director of Supplier Relations, Chrysler Group LLC, who accepted the award on behalf of the Company. “We are honored to receive this award, as it shows that our continuous efforts in embracing diversity are leading to positive economic outcomes in the community.”

The APACC Corporation of the Year Award was determined by a variety of factors. In particular, Chrysler Group was honored for its participation in community activities, minority management and minority employment. According to APACC, Chrysler Group also has shown progress cultivating Asian Pacific American business and communities through purchases, meaningful referrals and mentorship.

Since 1983, Chrysler has purchased more than $45 billion from certified minority-owned suppliers and its commitment continues to grow. Earlier this month, the Company piloted a program in California that extends its best-practice Matchmaker supplier diversity purchasing program to help improve dealer purchasing from minority suppliers.

“Chrysler Group has demonstrated extraordinary advocacy and support to APACC’s mission,” said Ron Shahani, Chairman and Board Director for APACC. “The Company continues to offer out-of-the- box programs that help to grow and develop Asian Pacific American businesses and communities.”

About Chrysler Group's Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
In April 2012, the editors of DiversityInc magazine named Chrysler Group to the magazine's 2012 list of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity." This coveted annual benchmark is comprised of companies the magazine's editors believe are diversity-management leaders. This was the sixth year since the list was established in 2001 that Chrysler has been included.

Chrysler Group was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother magazine 12 times, and has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion. Chrysler Group also has been named to HispanicBusiness magazine's annual Diversity Elite 60 list for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

In December 2011, The Chrysler Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest provider of college financial aid for Latino students. The grant supports Hispanic students who pursue a course of study that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and continues a longstanding relationship that began in 1986 between The Chrysler Foundation and the HSF. Since that time, HSF has received 25 grants from the Foundation totaling more than $750,000.

Over the years, a long line of Chrysler Group employees have received important professional recognition from various diversity organizations, including Black Engineer of the Year, Women of Color, HENAAC Great Minds in STEM and others, reflecting the Company’s strong commitment to developing its diverse workforce.

About APACC
The mission of APACC is to facilitate business relationships among Asian- and U.S.-based companies and to promote the economic advancement of Asian Pacific Americans.

The Chamber was established in the year 2000 and is headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich. APACC is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors and the operations and programs are supported by membership dues and financial contributions.

APACC membership is comprised of Fortune 500 corporations, multi-ethnic private business enterprises, small businesses and corporate professionals in a broad spectrum of industries.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group’s culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat’s complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.  Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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