Chrysler Press Release: Chrysler Launches Right-Hand Drive Neon for Overseas

05/16/96

CHRYSLER LAUNCHES PRODUCTION OF RIGHT-HAND-DRIVE NEON FOR OVERSEAS
MARKETS

BELVIDERE, Ill., May 9 -- With a turn of the ignition
key, Illinois Lt. Governor Bob Kustra drove a new right-hand-drive
Chrysler Neon, destined for Japan, off the production line at Chrysler's
Belvidere Assembly Plant.  The launch of right-hand-drive Neon at
Belvidere promises to enhance the company's ability to compete in the
global marketplace and will make more efficient use of existing
production capacity.  The right-hand-drive Chrysler Neon will be shipped
to eight countries worldwide starting May 15.

After driving a right-hand-drive Neon on the Belvidere test track,
the Lt. Governor toured the plant and met with workers to learn more
about a unique certification given to the plant by the Japanese Ministry
of Transportation (JMOT) that will allow Chrysler to avoid delivery
delays and the costs of inspections.  Lt. Governor Kustra assured
workers that the global expansion of auto sales will mean security for
them well into the future.

Belvidere will supply vehicles for sale in Australia, the Cayman
Islands, Cyprus, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, and the
United Kingdom.  Employees will produce and inspect 1,064 Neons per day,
about nine percent of which will be right-hand-drive.  At that rate,
officials predict that the facility can produce over 260,000 total units
per year.

"The addition of right-hand-drive Neons to Belvidere will add
incremental units to our production, but it means more than that," said
Belvidere Assembly Plant Manager John Felice.  "Our ability to produce
left and right-hand-drive vehicles on the same line affords us
additional flexibility in terms of responding to the global
marketplace."

Belvidere is the only Chrysler plant to manufacture right-hand-drive
Neons for the international market.  It is also only one of two domestic
auto company's plants to receive certification powers from the JMOT.

Prior to in-plant certification, the "Type Designation System"
process of certifying U.S.-made vehicles for sale in Japan could lead to
delays and extra expense in getting cars to the customer.  After proving
its capabilities, Belvidere was granted the right to certify cars in
America prior to shipment.  The distinction will allow Chrysler to
reduce the time it takes for cars to go from the assembly line to the
Japanese consumer, which should allow Chrysler greater sales strength in
that marketplace.

On two occasions this spring, President Clinton showcased the
right-hand-drive Neon during global trade conferences:  once on the
White House lawn and again at a Chrysler dealership in Japan.

In 1991, Chrysler was selling vehicles in only 22 countries.  The
Company is now selling their vehicles in over 100 countries worldwide.
With the kick-off of the right-hand-drive at Belvidere, Neons will be
sold in over 60 countries.