Chrysler Group and Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge Dealers Announce Continued Sponsorship of 'Carnaval on the Mile'

Chrysler Group and Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge Dealers Announce Continued Sponsorship of 'Carnaval on the Mile'

- Second consecutive year Miami-area Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealers are exclusive automotive sponsors and lead corporate sponsor

- More than 100,000 visitors and spectators will attend the three-day extravaganza

- Event is billed as the premiere Latin Jazz festival in the country

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, for the second consecutive year, Chrysler Group and its Miami-area Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealers announced their continued title sponsorship of the annual "Carnaval on the Mile" event, held in Coral Gables, Fla., and produced by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. The announcement was made during the press event held by the Kiwanis to kick off the promotional activities for the festival.

Carnaval on the Mile is billed as the premier Latin Jazz festival in the country. A family-oriented event with free admission, it acts as a fundraiser to support the many community projects sponsored by the Little Havana Kiwanis Chapter throughout the year.

"As a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana and as a Chrysler, Jeep dealer, I am proud of the Chrysler Group and the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers of Miami for their sponsorship of this exciting event," said Carlos Planas, General Manager - Tamiami Chrysler Jeep. "Artists, musicians and chefs share their talents with attendees, and the money raised goes to Kiwanis programs that assist the community. I could not think of a more enjoyable event that has such a positive outcome."

The festival begins Friday at the Ponce de Leon Circle in Coral Gables, with a concert lineup that includes the Decotones, Artofficial, the Miami Entertainment Group, and Suenalo. Saturday the event is extended to the Miracle Mile-known for its shops and cafes-and expands to include an artists' village with more than 100 fine artists including renowned artist and Carnaval Miami Poster winner, Gilda Sacasas. Local gourmet restaurants will provide cooking demonstrations and present many Latin delicacies throughout the day.

"Our sponsorship of Carnaval on the Mile is just one example of our dealers' dedication to their local communities," said Erwin Raphael, Director - Retail Sales Promotions, Southeast Business Center, Chrysler Group. "We are pleased that we can play a role with our dealers to present an international, entertaining and family-friendly event like this."

This year's festival is a special tribute to New Orleans. Several acts, including Doctor John and the Hot 8 Brass Band are traveling from New Orleans to perform Saturday evening on the Ponce de Leon Stage, presented by Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Grammy-winning composer and musician Arturo Sandoval, widely recognized as a virtuoso classical and Latin jazz musician will perform Sunday evening on the same stage.

The festival runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, March 2; 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 3; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday March 4.

About Carnaval on the Mile

Carnaval on the Mile began as Sun Day on the Mile in 1999 and celebrates its second year as a full weekend event. It is just one of the festivals that makes up Carnaval Miami, created by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana as a fundraiser to provide playgrounds, sports camps and scholarships for Miami area youth.

About the Kiwanis

The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana was formed in 1975, with the goal of developing projects to benefit the growing Hispanic population in Miami. The group that started with 25 friends now has several full-time employees and has grown to nearly 200 members.

About Chrysler Group

DaimlerChrysler Corporation, also known as the Chrysler Group, is the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. Employing more than 84,000 people worldwide, DaimlerChrysler Corp. manufactures, markets, distributes and, through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers, sells cars, minivans, sport-utility vehicles and trucks to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands feature some of the world's most recognizable vehicles including the Dodge Viper, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300C. In 2006, Chrysler Group sold 2.8 million vehicles globally.

FCMN Contact: cr82@daimlerchrysler.com

Source: Chrysler Group

CONTACT: Kevin McCormick, +1-248-512-6218, klm15@dcx.com

Web site: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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