posted 09-28-2001 02:29 PM         

The Crossfire, a squat and futuristic-looking two-seater, was unveiled as a concept car during the Detroit auto show in January, and Chrysler executives said public reaction to the concept during the show convinced them to try a production version.

Chrysler said further details on pricing, volume and other specifications would be released later this year. But spokesman Jan Zverina said the Crossfire would take advantage of Mercedes' parts bin.

``When you have a relatively limited production and volume, you've got to look for efficiency and synergies,'' Zverina said. ``This is a way to do it with a sound business plan.''

DaimlerChrysler earlier on Friday said its 2001 profit targets might be at risk due to the U.S. economic decline in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, but it added that its third-quarter profits were above plan because of better-than-expected earnings at Chrysler.

Chrysler already sells two low-volume sports cars, the Chrysler Prowler and Dodge Viper.