(January 14, 2011) More than 150 Dodge dealers Thursday picked up the keys to nearly 200 all-new 2011 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles in Detroit as part of Chrysler's effort to keep up sales momentum in the new year.

Some dealers came from as far as Kentucky to drive away Durangos from the MGM Grand Casino Hotel so they can sell them back at their dealerships. Chrysler Group LLC credited both the Jeep Cherokee and Durango with helping it finish 2010 with a strong 16 percent sales gain in December and an overall 17 percent increase over 2009.

Dodge held the Durango event in Detroit because it is the home of the North American International Auto Show, where the vehicle is on display, and the SUV is built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, said Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of the Dodge brand.