posted 07-11-2000 01:18 PM                  

``Without question, Prowler has become an automotive sensation in its own right,'' said Tom Gale, Executive Vice President of Product Development and Design and General Manager of Passenger Car Operations, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. ``While Plymouth will be discontinued after 2001, Prowler will continue to be offered as one of the most outrageously-styled roadsters on the road today.

``Along with the visceral Dodge Viper and the groundbreaking Chrysler PT Cruiser, Prowler embodies our design philosophy here at the Chrysler group,'' said Gale. ``Whether it's a niche vehicle such as Viper or a volume car like PT Cruiser, we want our designs to evoke a strong, passionate emotional response. We want people to love or hate our designs because the people who love them buy them. We don't want to finish second on anyone's new car wish list.''

Visually, Prowler pays tribute to the rolling art of hot rods. Prowler also embodies some of the most advanced technology and materials and has the distinction of being North America's most aluminum-intensive vehicle. It was only a few years ago that the idea of mass producing a factory hot rod seemed too radical a concept for any major automaker to undertake. Since then, however, the Chrysler group's concept-to-reality roadster has cruised into the hearts and garages of passionate automotive enthusiasts in North America.

Through May of 2000, more than 5,000 Prowlers have been sold in North America. Of those Prowlers sold, 1,744 were black, 1,345 were purple, 1,322 were red, 697 were yellow, 546 were silver, and 80 were black/red two-tone (``Woodward Edition'').

Prowler first appeared as a concept car at the 1993 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Favorable response prompted the former Chrysler Corporation to unveil a production version of Prowler at the 1996 North American International Auto Show. Official production began in July 1997 as a 1997 model. Prowler is manufactured at Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit and is built alongside the Dodge Viper production line.

SOURCE: DaimlerChrysler Corporation