Chrysler's Viper Extends Legacy To Japan: Japanese Auto Dealers Get 'Snake Bitten'

21 October 1997

    TOKYO, Oct. 21 -- Three Chrysler dealers today got their
hands on one of the most sought after vehicles in the world at the Tokyo Motor
Show.
    Francois J. Castaing, Executive Vice President of International Operations
for Chrysler Corporation , presented keys to three Chrysler Viper GTS
Coupes -- the first "official" Vipers in Japan -- to dealers who have helped
Chrysler achieve a foothold in the Japanese market.
    "Viper is an exciting vehicle that offers the most performance per dollar
of any car in the world," said Castaing.  "A back-to-basics super car capable
of exciting any driving enthusiast, Viper is a no-excuses car for no-excuses
people.
    "These three dealers have been very supportive of Chrysler's long-term
initiatives and have been high-volume sellers of Chrysler vehicles," said
Castaing.  "We'd like to thank them for their support by making them the first
dealers in Japan to be authorized dealers of Chrysler's Viper GTS Coupe."
    The three dealers who received the Vipers are:
    --  President Kiyoshi Shiota with Niigata Chrysler.  Niigata was the
first main dealer to sign with Chrysler in November 1995, and has played a
major role in supporting Chrysler initiatives in Japan.
    -- President Nobuo Ohgo with Okayama Chrysler.  Okayama signed with
Chrysler as a main dealer in November 1996 and currently has two Chrysler
showrooms.
    -- President Koichi Kusuhara with Mie Chrysler.  Mie signed with Chrysler
in July 1997 after a visit to the Chrysler's Headquarters in Auburn Hills,
Mich.
    Chrysler will only import Vipers for which there are sold orders.  The
selling price for a Viper RT/10 or Viper GTS Coupe is Y10,900,000 (or about
$93,000) and Y11,100,000 (or about $95,000) for a Viper GTS Coupe with the
blue and white paint scheme.  Dealers will begin taking orders on December 1.
    Introduced by Chrysler in 1996, the Viper GTS Coupe was created in the
mold of the world's premier Grand Touring cars.  It features a light weight
V-10 engine, electric door entry and an adjustable pedal system.  It's
predecessor and stable mate, the Viper Roadster, defined a bold new chapter in
Chrysler's history, and a commitment to set the new benchmark of what a pure
American sports car should be.

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation