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Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC were the big winners in October, as strengthening demand for light trucks boosted U.S. auto sales to their highest level in more than a year, the Detroit News said.

For the second month in a row, light truck sales exceeded car sales, capturing 52.8 percent of the market, the highest level in three years, analysts said, the News reported.

Compared with October 2009, monthly sales were up 13.4 percent, led by a 23.5 percent surge in light truck sales, the News said. Dodge Ram sales rose 41 percent last month as the market swung back to trucks, benefiting Chrysler, the article said.

Chrysler sales are up 37 percent in October, with Jeep® outselling Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram, Automobile Magazine said. One thing's for sure: the new Grand Cherokee is hot, the magazine said.

The Jeep brand more than doubled sales from last October; every Jeep model except for the phased out Commander was up at least 46 percent, the article said.

As revised 2011 Chrysler models head to dealerships, expect more sales increases company-wide and additional retail sales, the article said.

Chrysler just released its image-maker for Dodge to loads of attention -- it's the RedLine Charger, USA Today said.

The Charger gets a new elongated nose and other touches for 2011, the paper said. The revised version, shown at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, is badged as a Charger R/T, a throwback to a 1970 Charger, the paper said.

But what everyone saw wasn't stock, but a customized RedLine version, the paper said. The RedLine version is lower to the ground with a tuned suspension; the 5.7-liter Hemi engine has been given a Mopar makeover, with headers, an exhaust system and a cold-air intake; and there's a Mopar strut tower brace to aid handling and drivability, the article said.

The redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee midsized SUV earned a Very Good road test score and outscored its traditional rival, the Toyota 4Runner, which earned a Good score, in a face-off between the two vehicles in Consumer Reports' December issue.

The Jeep's ride, quietness, and interior won it points, though it was hampered by its emergency handling, the magazine said. By contrast, the 4Runner, redesigned for 2010, fell short on the road (though it showed terrific off-road prowess) and scored at the bottom of its class, the article said.

"The Grand Cherokee is a big improvement over the previous model, with refinement on par with models that cost a lot more," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in Connecticut.

Company confirms plant will produce future products, beginning in 2012

Announcement brings total investment in U.S. facilities to $2.1 billion since June 2009

The Belvidere Assembly Plant currently builds the Jeep® Compass, Jeep_® Patriot and Dodge Caliber.

"This is an important announcement for Chrysler Group LLC and the UAW as the company makes a major investment in an assembly plant here in the U.S., thereby maintaining good manufacturing jobs in Illinois,? said General Holiefield, Vice President UAW/Chrysler Department. ?This investment, along with the strong relationship between our two organizations, will contribute to the future success of Chrysler, our employees and the products we so proudly build."

Since June 2009, Chrysler Group has made significant progress toward building a successful enterprise, including;

reporting an operating profit of $326 million for the first half of 2010;

announcing a potential investment of $1 billion in its Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly plant and surrounding stamping facilities as well as its GEMA (Dundee, Mich.) facility;

adding a second shift of production ? or nearly 1,100 jobs ? at its Jefferson North (Detroit) Assembly Plant;

announcing that it would add nearly 900 jobs on a second shift at its Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant in the first

About the Belvidere Assembly Plant
The Belvidere Assembly Plant was completed in 1965 and produced its first car on July 7, 1965. The product line from 1965 to 1977 included the Plymouth and Dodge two-door and four-door models, and station wagons, and the Chrysler Town & Country station wagon.

In 1977, the plant was converted to front-wheel drive production. From 1978-1987, the product lines included Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni.

In 1987, the plant underwent a $367 million state-of-the-art, 16-week model changeover to produce the Chrysler New Yorker and Dodge Dynasty, the company's full-size front-wheel drive four-door sedans. Two years later, the plant underwent a $72 million model changeover for production of 1990 models that included the Chrysler Imperial and New Yorker Salon.

In 1994, the plant was converted to produce the Plymouth and Dodge Neon. Production of the Dodge Neon ended in September 2005. The Dodge Caliber was launched in December 2005, followed by the Jeep Compass in May 2006 and Jeep Patriot in December 2006.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep_®, Dodge, Ram Truck and Mopar® vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler?s culture of innovation ? first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 ? and Fiat?s complementary technology ? from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC?s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.