Competition Begins to Discover Future Automotive Designers

        High School Students Challenged to Build Their 'Dream' Vehicle
                    While Learning Real Life Career Skills

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 25 Innovation, design and
creativity are the backbone behind such groundbreaking vehicles as the
Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Viper and Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee.  And with the
help of DaimlerChrysler's annual Build Your Dream Vehicle (BYDV) program for
high school students, the next head-turning vehicle might be right around the
corner.
    Beginning now through May 2001, high school students will present their
best automotive design ideas at BYDV competitions across the country.  Student
teams from Miami, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C./Baltimore,
Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago have submitted more than 200 entries.  Following
regional competitions, eight finalists will be selected to present their
"dream" vehicles to a panel comprised of leading automotive designers,
engineers and educators during the BYDV National Finals in May.
    "The Build Your Dream Vehicle curriculum gives students a taste of the
exciting career opportunities in the automotive industry through a dynamic,
cross-disciplinary format," said Arthur "Bud" Liebler, Senior Vice President,
Chrysler Group Marketing.
    "Requiring much more than just a model or drawing, the program seeks
excellence in all areas of product development including research, ergonomics,
safety, marketing, finance, the environment and most importantly, teamwork,"
he said.
    BYDV challenges high school students to utilize technology and design to
create futuristic, environmentally-friendly concept vehicles -- complete with
three-dimensional models or drawings and marketing plans.  As part of the
classroom curriculum for BYDV, students learn production planning and
communication strategies that are applied to their design concepts.
    "My students are extremely dedicated to this project and have worked hard
to make their 'dream vehicle' concept car designs a reality," said John
Malecki, Applied Technology teacher at William Fremd High School in Palatine,
Ill.  "The time they invest is justified because they evolve not only as
individuals but also as teammates.  They're not just building a vehicle,
they're building skills they will use in future careers," Malecki said.
    The regional finals competition schedule is as follows: February 22 -
Miami Museum of Science and Space; March 1 - University of Houston - Downtown;
March 6 - Seattle Museum of Flight; March 13 - San Diego State University;
March 15 - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles; March 20 - Northwestern
University, Chicago; March 29 - Georgetown University, Washington D.C./
Baltimore; April 5 - Lawrence Technical University, Detroit; April 10 -
Scitrek Science & Technology Museum, Atlanta; May 24 - National Finals,
DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
    Since its inception in 1994, the program has expanded into nine markets
with nearly 5,000 students from more than 700 high school teams submitting
entries reflecting their design concepts.  DaimlerChrysler has recognized the
outstanding achievements of these student teams by donating more than $500,000
to participating high schools.  For more information about DaimlerChrysler's
"Build Your Dream Vehicle" program, educators should call 888-839-BYDV (2938),
or visit the Web site at http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/bydv .