AUBURN HILLS, MI - Chrysler Group reported that its Five Star dealers sold a new year-to-date sales record of 116,604 Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOV) in 2006, an 8-percent increase above 2005 sales. Chrysler Group continues to outpace the CPOV segment, which increased sales 2 percent for the year, according to the automaker.

Chrysler Group fourth-quarter sales also rose 4 percent to 28,122 units, surpassing the fourth-quarter sales record set in 2005. Compared against a record month of 10,441 units in December 2005, CPOV sales fell 10 percent to 9,350 units in December 2006, which was still the third-best December in the company's CPOV brand's five-year history.

For the year, Chrysler brand sales were up 15 percent to 38,974 units. Jeep brand sales rose 17 percent to 28,054 units and Dodge brand sales dipped 1 percent to 49,576 units. Top-selling volume vehicles in 2006 were the Jeep Grand Cherokee (15,790 units), Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan (13,367 units), and Dodge Ram pickup truck (10,393 units).

For a vehicle to be certified under the Chrysler Group's used-vehicle program, it must be a 2003-2007 model pre-owned vehicle with less than 65,000 miles and pass a 125-point inspection.

Chrysler Group's CPO vehicles are backed by an 8-year/80,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 3-month or 3,000-mile Maximum Care warranty, 24-hour, 365-day full roadside assistance and a $35-per-day rental car allowance, in addition to a CARFAX Vehicle History Report and Buyback Guarantee.

Marketed as "Brand Spankin' Used," Chrysler Group's CPO vehicles are sold only through Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge dealerships which have earned the automaker's Five Star Certification. Five Star Certification is a comprehensive validation of the dealership's facilities, operational processes, salesperson and technician training accreditation, as well as customer satisfaction survey ratings. Approximately 2,100 Chrysler Group dealerships in the U.S. are certified Five Star dealers.