Chrysler Group Reports Full Year 2011 Net Income of $183 Million

Chrysler Group's Full Year 2011 Modified Operating Profit More Than Doubled to $2 Billion With Free Cash Flow of $1.9 Billion

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Chrysler Group full year 2011 net income improved to $183 million from a net loss of $652 million in 2010 and despite a $551 million loss on extinguishment of debt in Q2 2011; fourth quarter net income was $225 million, the highest quarterly net income since the Company began operations in 2009
• Net revenue for the year was $55.0 billion, up 31 percent from a year ago; fourth quarter net revenue increased 41 percent to $15.1 billion
• Modified Operating Profit(b) grew to $2.0 billion for the year, 2.5 times higher than 2010, and $508 million in the fourth quarter
• Free Cash Flow(e) for full year 2011 totaled $1.9 billion driving Cash(d) at year end 2011 to $9.6 billion compared with $7.3 billion a year ago
• Net industrial debt(f) was reduced by nearly 50 percent to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2011, from $5.8 billion a year ago
• Worldwide vehicle sales for full year 2011 totaled 1,855,000, up 22 percent from 2010; fourth quarter worldwide vehicle sales were 479,000, up 28 percent compared with a year ago
• U.S. market share increased to 10.5 percent for full year 2011, up from 9.2 percent a year ago, driven primarily by a 43 percent increase in U.S. retail sales
• Worldwide vehicle shipments were 2.0 million for full year 2011, up from 1.6 million a year ago
• Chrysler Group achieved its third and final performance event in January 2012 by committing to produce its new fuel-efficient vehicle, increasing Fiat S.p.A.'s ownership interest to 58.5 percent

Chrysler Group LLC today reported preliminary net income of $183 million for the full year 2011, up from a net loss of $652 million a year ago, exceeding the objective set in November 2009.

	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
	($Mils)			FY 2011	B/(W) FY 2010	Q4 2011	B/(W) Q4 2010
	Net Revenue			54,981	13,035	15,129	4,366
	Modified Operating Profit			1,975	1,212	508	310
	Modified EBITDA			4,754	1,293	1,171	289
	Net Income			183	835	225	424
	Add back:
	Loss on Extinguishment of Debt			551	551	-	-
	Adjusted Net Income			734	1,386	225	424
	Cash			9,601	2,254	9,601	2,254
	Note - See definitions of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information and Other Items included in the press release

The Company's full year net income included a $551 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in the second quarter of 2011, when the Company repaid its outstanding obligations to the U.S. Treasury and Canadian governments in full, with interest, six years early. Excluding the charge, Adjusted Net Income(a) for the full year 2011 was $734 million, exceeding the Company's 2011 guidance and further delivering on the goals established two years ago.

For the fourth quarter, net income was $225 million, up from a loss of $199 million a year earlier, as the Company continues to increase sales of its successful new and significantly refreshed vehicles.
As of January 2012, Chrysler Group has achieved all three performance events set forth in its Amended and Restated LLC Operating Agreement. As a result of achieving these events, and in combination with other transactions, Fiat S.p.A. now owns 58.5 percent of the membership interests in Chrysler Group.

"The house is in good order. We are proud of the work we've done," said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC. "Now we greet a new year of high expectations with our heads down, forging ahead and focused on executing the goals we've set for ourselves as a company."
Full year 2011 net revenue totaled $55.0 billion, a 31 percent increase from 2010, driven by increased consumer demand for Chrysler Group's new and significantly refreshed vehicles. In the fourth quarter, net revenue was $15.1 billion, up 41 percent from the prior year.

The Company reported a full year 2011 Modified Operating Profit of $2.0 billion, more than 2.5 times the prior year's level. The increase resulted from higher sales volume and improved pricing and mix, partially offset by increased advertising and industrial costs. Modified Operating Profit for the fourth quarter 2011 was $508 million, or 3.4 percent of net revenue, up from $198 million, or 1.8 percent of net revenue, in the fourth quarter 2010.

Modified EBITDA(c) was $4.8 billion for full year 2011, or 8.6 percent of net revenue, an increase of 37 percent versus the prior year. Fourth quarter 2011 Modified EBITDA increased 33 percent to $1.2 billion.
Interest expense for the full year 2011 totaled $1.2 billion, including $170 million of non-cash interest accretion, versus $1.3 billion in 2010, including non-cash interest accretion of $229 million. Fourth quarter 2011 interest expense was $280 million, including non-cash interest accretion of $32 million. This compares with $336 million of interest expense, including non-cash interest accretion of $57 million, in the fourth quarter of 2010.  

Cash as of December 31, 2011, was $9.6 billion compared with $9.5 billion as of September 30, 2011, and $7.3 billion as of December 31, 2010. Total available liquidity totaled $10.9 billion, including $1.3 billion available under a revolving credit facility. Free Cash Flow totaled a positive $1.9 billion for the full year 2011, and a negative $54 million for the fourth quarter 2011.

Gross Industrial Debt(f) at December 31, 2011, totaled $12.5 billion, slightly higher than the $12.3 billion at September 30, 2011, and lower than the $13.1 billion at December 31, 2010. Net Industrial Debt(f) was $2.9 billion at the end of the quarter, consistent with the level at September 30, 2011, and reduced by nearly 50 percent from the $5.8 billion at December 31, 2010.

Worldwide vehicle sales were 1,855,000 for the full year 2011, up 22 percent from 1,516,000 vehicles in 2010, driven primarily by a 43 percent increase in U.S. retail sales. The improvement reflects increased consumer confidence in our new and significantly refreshed products. Chrysler Group's U.S. market share increased to 10.5 percent for the year from 9.2 percent in 2010.  Fourth quarter 2011 U.S. market share was 10.8 percent, up 2.0 percentage points from the fourth quarter 2010.

Worldwide vehicle shipments for full year and fourth quarter 2011 were 2,011,000 and 543,000, respectively, an increase of 26 percent and 42 percent compared with the full year and fourth quarter 2010, respectively.

2012 Guidance
The targets for 2012 are as follows:

• Net revenue of ~$65 billion
• Modified Operating Profit of greater than or equal to $3.0 billion
• Net income of ~$1.5 billion
• Free Cash Flow of greater than or equal to $1 billion

Significant Corporate Events Since Third Quarter 2011
Oct. 18: Chrysler Group committed to invest $165 million to add a body shop at its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Michigan.

Oct. 26: The UAW ratified a new four-year national labor agreement with Chrysler Group.

Nov. 16: Chrysler Group announced a $1.7 billion investment for the next generation Jeep SUV and added a second shift of production at its Toledo, Ohio, complex.

Dec. 13: Chrysler Group announced it will reopen its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit to produce the next generation SRT Viper. The plant's reopening will bring nearly 150 jobs back to the city of Detroit.

Jan. 5, 2012: Chrysler Group announced it had achieved its third performance event outlined in its Amended and Restated LLC Operating Agreement, by committing to produce a vehicle built in the United States based on Fiat technology that achieves an unadjusted combined fuel-economy rating of at least 40 mpg. Chrysler Group achieved this milestone with a pre-production version of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart in December 2011. The unadjusted combined fuel-economy rating may vary from the rating disclosed to consumers at point of sale. The achievement resulted in Fiat's ownership interest in Chrysler Group increasing to 58.5 percent from 53.5 percent (fully diluted). The VEBA Trust owns the remaining 41.5 percent of the membership interests in the Company.

Jan. 5: Chrysler Group strengthened ties with the city of Detroit, announcing it will add a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. Further, the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup will be expanded with a diesel version for North America which will be built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant.

Jan. 6: Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne was named as the new campaign chair for the 2012 United Way for Southeastern Michigan campaign. As campaign chair, Marchionne will work to promote the growth and impact of the campaign among businesses and individuals.

Product and Corporate News

• All-new 2013 Dodge Dart, revealed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on Jan. 9, won the Autoweek Editors' Choice Award as the "Most Significant Vehicle" of the auto show
• Chrysler Group was named "Company of the Year" at the 16th annual Urban Wheel Awards for its leadership in promoting diversity in the area of workforce development. It also achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Commission's 2012 Corporate Equality Index
• Jeep Wrangler named "2012 SUV of the Year" by Autobytel; "2011 SUV of the Year – North America" by Overland Journal; "Best Cars for the Money – Off-Road SUV" by U.S. News & World Report; and "Play Car of the Year" (Off-Roaders and Sun Lovers categories) by Cars.com
• New 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Named "4x4 of the Year" by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine
• Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 named The Fast Lane Car's (TFLCar.com) "Top-10 2012 Most Fun to Drive Cars"
• 2012 Vehix New Car Buying Guide, recommends Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee named "SUV of Texas" and 2012 Dodge Durango named "Full-size SUV of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association
• Jeep Brand named Polk Automotive Loyalty Award – "Most Improved Loyalty to Make"
• 2011 Chrysler Town & Country won the "2012 Polk Automotive Loyalty Award" in the minivan category
• 2012 Ram 2500 Power Wagon named Four Wheeler "Pickup Truck of the Year"
• Consumers Digest named Chrysler 300, Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Challenger, Ram 1500 and Fiat 500 to its "Best Buy" list for the 2012 Model Year
• Consumer Guide named to its "Best Buy and Recommended Awards" list the Chrysler 300, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Journey, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500 and Fiat 500