posted 12-19-2001 12:40 PM                  

Chrysler to Make Last Prowler
Chrysler to Stop Prowler Production in February, Less Than 5 Years After Debuting Retro Hotrod
By ED GARSTEN
AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- Chrysler plans to end production of the Prowler in February, less than five years after the introduction of the head-turning two-seater with retro hotrod look wrapped up in modern technology.

The Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG [NYSEAJ - news] made the announcement Wednesday, saying about 11,000 Prowlers have been sold through November. The suggested starting price is about $45,400.

``We anticipated a five-year run for Prowler when we started production in 1997,'' Tom Marinelli, vice president, Chrysler/Jeep Global brand center, said in a statement.

``While we're discontinuing Prowler production, I can assure you that we've got even more head-turning vehicles in our pipeline,'' Marinelli said.

Unlike most vehicles, the Prowler is hand-built alongside the Dodge Viper at the Chrysler Conner Avenue plant in Detroit.

It's a plum assignment for assembly workers who build just 14 Prowlers a day.

``We really handle these cars with kid gloves,'' assembly worker Philip Rolack said following a ceremony last June, marking production of the 10,000th Prowler.

``How do I put it into words? We take personal care of these cars,'' Rolack said.

The Prowler was originally introduced to the public as a concept, or show car, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 1993.

But public reaction was so strong, the company said, it decided to build a low-volume production version for the 1997 model year.

The first Prowlers were offered only in a color called ``Prowler Purple'', but the last 300 will be painted Deep Candy Red.