To be eligible, buyers include active military, active military reserve, retired military (honorable discharge required), and retired military reserve (honorable discharge required). All honorably discharged veterans are eligible regardless of discharge date.

“Chrysler Group and its dealers are proud to support the members of the U.S. Armed forces and their families by offering this additional Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash,” said Reid Bigland, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “During this 18-day period, eligible members of the military and their families can take advantage of this $1,000 cash allowance to purchase or lease a new Chysler Group vehicle.”

Any American-made vehicle, like the Jeep Wrangler or Dodge Charger, would look great in a U.S. Military member’s driveway.  If you like Dodge Ram, Peoria dealer, Sam Leman can help you out.

 ”The momentum built by the recovering economy and compelling product choices in the first quarter continued to fuel new vehicle sales in April,” said Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence at TrueCar.com. “Consumer demand for the smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles remains strong while the SUV and truck categories are not seeing any dramatic drop in sales.”

Total April sales for Chrysler Group were 141,165 units, with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck all showing sizable gains. Top sellers were the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, Bloomington Chrysler 200, Jeep Wrangler SUV, and Dodge Challenger muscle car, which also set new sales records for April. Sales for the Chrysler brand rose 56 percent over a year earlier.

“This business is all about product and the quality and fuel efficiency of our current vehicle lineup has never been better, which is evident in our results,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales for Chrysler.

With Chrysler’s line-up, it’s a good bet that sales will continue to heat up through summer.

“To be successful in China, we must tailor or vehicles to the specific tastes of Chinese customers,” said Mike Manley, Chrysler’s chief operating officer for Asia.

The dragon is an internationally recognized symbol of China. It represents strength, power, swiftness, and special powers like flight and fire, not qualities you necessarily associate with a minivan. However, these qualities are very fitting for the powerful Jeep Wrangler.

Many automakers are finding success marketing luxury and SUV models to China, as they have a growing economy and wide range of urban and agricultural citizens.

Jeep brand sales in China in 2011 increased 81% over the prior year and China,” said Mike Manley, CEO of Jeep Brand, Chrysler group, at the unveiling on Monday. “Last year, more Jeep vehicles were sold in China than in any other country besides the U.S. and Canada.”

From Beijing to Bloomington, Jeep Wranglers are popular around the world.

This sedan is rumored to be the fanciest, most eficient Chrysler to date, “All-new Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan is the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler vehicle ever. The 2012 Chrysler 300C Luxury Series exclusive appointments include ultra-premium leather, hand-sanded matte wood, world-class craftsmanship and refinement”

There has never been a better place to rest your tush during your commute says Saad Chehab, President and CEO – Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, “”The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series is more than just our flagship car; it’s the trophy for the tireless majority, an automobile designed and built to meet the most discerning of expectations. Sales of the Chrysler 300 have been on fire not only because of its best-in-class 31 highway mpg, but, most importantly, the reaction of customers and critics to this great car. There are no more compromises in the cars that we make; consumers can expect only delightful surprises from driving cars ‘Imported from Detroit.”

Get your interior in one of two delicious colors, Black or Mochachino Poltrona Frau® “Foligno”. Enjoy the leather-wrapped instrument panel, cluster brow, center console side panels and upper front- and rear-door panels. Soft Nappa leather accents the whoel interior and cover the 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats with two-mode ventilation and two-mode heated seats for both front and rear passengers. Sign me up!

If you don’t want the upgraded Luxury series, consider the 2011 Chrysler 300. Peoria drivers can check them out nearby, at Sam Leman Chrysler. Dodge, Jeep.

This stallion of an SUV comes standard with heated, leather-trimmed front seats; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; a nine-speaker, 506-watt stereo with subwoofer; iPod/MP3 connectivity; a backup camera; a rear-park assist system; keyless entry and starting; and Chrysler’s Uconnect hands-free communications system. Two-wheel-drive versions start at $35,595. The four-wheel-drive Altitude models start at $37,595.

The Compass and the Jeep Patriot get equally macho blacked-out, and chromed-up treatments. The family looks like a fleet of SWAT vehicles, but more stylish and sleek. Maybe something the President would be escorted in.

So check out the Altitude Jeep Cherokee. Used Bloomington Jeeps are also available sans toughness and tinting at your local Jeep dealer.

As for the current 2012 Jeep Liberty, Consumer Guide says, “This ‘Trail-Rated’ SUV is roomy and surprisingly refined. Jeep calls Liberty one of its ‘traditional’ trucks, as it retains the brand’s trademark off-road prowess–unlike the more car-like Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot.”

The automaker has already been using powerful eight-speed transmission is the full-size Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. And soon Chrysler plans to eventually use those in all its rear-wheel drive vehicles except heavy-duty versions of its Ram pickups, reducing fuel consumption by 12%. And with gas prices on a steep and steady rise, who wouldn’t appreciate that. The nine-speed, Chrysler said, cuts fuel consumption by up to 11 percent over the company’s current six-speed transmission.

Chrysler has already been acknowledged for their innovative and powerful Pentastar engine, being used in many models already. They’ve even been acknowledged for the 2011 used Dodge Durango hemi engine. This new 9-speed, should be just as impressive.

According to Chrysler blogger, Ashely Fournier, “The Chrysler Group Pinterest currently features nine pinning boards, including advertisements, “Imported from Detroit,” “Pentastar Videos” and six for brands, though these boards may be modified and added to over time. Chrysler interacts on Pinterest by repinning others’ pins of interest, commenting, liking pins and following others, but the most attractive reasons to follow the Chrysler Group Pinterest account are the exclusive photos and videos available.”

My Pin boards are covered in everything from the latest spring fashions to delicious recipes and of course the new Chrysler line-up, like the 2012 Chrysler 300. Peoria pinners should look at the Sam Leman Chrysler Dodge Jeep selection.

Check out pinterest.com and start organizing your favorite new Chrysler vehicles onto pin boards.

“By building and personalizing a Dart, you will provide us with information on how you want to see the all-new Dart,” the site also noting “packaging and pricing information…is for survey purposes only.”

The 2012 model doesn’t debut till second quarter, so you have plenty of time to put your thumbprint on this hot new compact. Customize the exterior and interior. Add leather seats. Make it your own. Then set a price you think is fair. Chrysler is listening!

As far as the engine goes, Chrysler engineers promise a smooth and quiet ride from the powerful 2.0-liter Tigershark or 2.4-liter in the R/T. “The displacement is still basically the same, but we’ve changed bore and stroke a bit, in an effort to improve the overall noise and vibration characteristics,” said Dart chief engineer Mike Merlo.

Merlo added, ““We spent a lot of time designing the intake system for this car, and we have five or six quarter and eighth-wave tuning elements that are part of the intake manifold,” he said, adding that the Dart has “a very interesting route that air flows through as it goes through the intake, meant to smooth out the sound as well as provide a very smooth flow.”

This sleek compact should compete with the best of em’, especially consumer customizations are reviewed in the design. In Peoria, used Dodge Durangos are available at Sam Leman.

This Jeep obviously delivers off-road, but the interior is where that Willys-Overland really comes to life, from the leather seats and dash, to the walnut inlaid steering wheel and dash panels, to the four-wheel disc brakes visible behind 20-inch alloy rims. Unlike the first Jeeps made by Overland, this limited edition comes loaded with GPS, USB ports, and Bluetooth. Of course there is an automatic start to bring the 360-hp 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi under the hood of the Overland Edition to life.

One satisfied test-driver commented, “When it comes to design and fit-and-finish, this Jeep really goes beyond the typical. The leather! The sunroof! The walnut inlays! (And did I mention the leather?)…”

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Edition is the perfect example of how Jeep has sustained their commitment to quality for over a century.  If you’re interested in the Jeep Cherokee used, Bloomington dealer, Sam Leman will be more than glad to set you up.

Throughout, Clint’s rally speech, scenes of, “Stern faces of workers and families in Detroit, aged plants rumbling back to work, a city resiliently fighting back from the devastating slump of the auto industry…” Flashed across the screen. It’s not what people expected, but Chrysler’s story, like America’s is moving and inspiring. The new Chrysler family of vehicles reflects a turnaround, and not just in the auto industry.

Last years spot featured the 2012 Chrysler 300. Peoria car-buyers should go to Sam Leman Chrysler Dodge Jeep to check out what “Imported from Detroit” is all about.