Chrysler Canada Employees and Retirees Contribute More than $1 Million  to United Way Windsor-Essex

November 17, 2011 , Windsor, Ontario -  At a celebration at its headquarters this morning, Chrysler Canada announced that the company's employees and retirees in Windsor-Essex County have contributed $1,144,994.12 to the United Way for the 2012 calendar year.

On hand at the event were Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada President and CEO; Dino Chiodo, Vice President of CAW Local 444; Penny Marrett, CEO, United Way of Windsor Essex County; Margaret Corio, Regional Vice President, RBC Royal Bank and Chair 2011 United Way Campaign; and Chrysler Canada employees from the Windsor Assembly Plant and headquarters.

“We are so thankful to Chrysler Canada, its workforce and retirees and all of the members of the CAW, who worked hard to make this campaign successful. This has given added momentum to our 2011 campaign!” said Penny Marrett, CEO, United Way of Windsor Essex County.

Chrysler Canada has been a significant corporate presence in the Windsor area since its founding in 1925. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, which was formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group. The alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation and Fiat’s complementary technology, allowing the company to offer an expanded lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles well-suited to Canadian customer needs. Facilities in the Windsor-Essex region include the Chrysler Canada headquarters, the Temple Drive offices, the Automotive Research & Development Centre and the Windsor Assembly Plant.

For 2011, Chrysler Canada sales are up 14.2 per cent in comparison to this time in 2010. Canadian market share has grown to 14.6 per cent from 12.8 per cent during the third quarter of last year, the largest market share gain in Canada of any manufacturer.

“I am proud that our employees continue to contribute so generously to the United Way of Windsor/Essex with a sizeable donation greater than 1 million dollars,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. “Business is good at Chrysler Canada, so it inspires me that we are able to collectively help others in the community and continue our long history of charitable giving.”

“The United Way is just another outstanding agency that touches all walks of life,” said Rick Laporte, President of CAW Local 444. “It has made our community a better place...past, present and into the future.”

The contribution from Chrysler Canada, CAW Local 444 and Local 1498 brings the United Way Windsor-Essex Campaign total thus far to approximately $2,600,000 or 52 per cent of the organization's goal of $5,000,000.

There is still time to take part in this year’s campaign, please give generously. You can call 519-258-0000 (ext.1145) or pledge on-line at www.weareunited.com/donate.