San Diego's Poway and Hi-Tech High Schools Design Dream Vehicle For Chrysler Group

           Annual Design Contest Yields Top Prize for Area Students

    SAN DIEGO, March 14 Teamwork, dedication and imagination
contributed to the triumph of Poway and Hi-Tech High Schools during the 2001
"Build Your Dream Vehicle" educational challenge in San Diego.  The winning
team's concept vehicle, Exuro, earned $3,000, a first place trophy and the
opportunity to compete at the National Finals in May at Chrysler Group's North
American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  Poway and Hi-Tech High
Schools also earned second place receiving $2,000 and a trophy, Mira Mesa High
School was honored with third place, winning a trophy and $1,000.  The day-
long contest was March 13 at San Diego State University.
    The Chrysler Group launched the "Build Your Dream Vehicle" program in
1994.  The contest challenges high school students to use teamwork and
creativity to conceive, design and present an innovative, environmentally
friendly vehicle concept.  All entries must include a marketing strategy,
financial plan and a three-dimensional model or drawing of the dream concept.
    Poway and Hi-Tech High School's winning Exuro luxury sports car utilizes
an engine similar to a diesel but with better fuel economy -- 80 mpg.  The
next generation Exuro will be available as a hydrogen fuel cell electric
vehicle producing zero emissions.
    The winning team's instructor, Rodger Dohm, a drafting and engineering
teacher at Poway and Hi-Tech High Schools, said, "We are honored to win this
competition and we look forward to competing in the National Finals in May.
But the significant life lessons my students have learned by working together
have been the most valuable prizes of the competition."
    Students and coaches on the three winning teams are:

    Name of High School              Concept Vehicle   Students and Coach
    1st Place -- Poway & Hi-Tech     Exuro             Jake Hunt, Brad Carter,
                                                       George Hsu, Brian
                                                       England, Tom Hsu,
                                                       Isabella Ballesta
                                                       (Coach: Rodger Dohm)


    2nd Place -- Poway & High Tech   Eos               Jake Plaskett, Linh
                                                       Tran, Tim Rice, Clint
                                                       Carlson, Garret
                                                       Poppitz, Adam Wolf
                                                       (Coach: Rodger Dohm)

    3rd Place -- Mira Mesa           Hypnotix          Thanh Tran, Calvin
                                                       Comin, Brian Lass,
                                                       Nancy Ma, Judith Hwang,
                                                       Tracey Bulliung
                                                       (Coach: Eric Fischer)

    Road to Victory
    Student teams began working on their "dream" vehicles at the start of the
2000-2001 school year.  In January, 35 San Diego-area teams sent their "Build
Your Dream Vehicle" entries to Chrysler Group headquarters for preliminary
judging.  As a result, 8 teams were selected to compete in the San Diego
regional finals.
    Through May, student teams in Los Angeles, Washington D.C./Baltimore,
Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago will present their dream concepts at regional
competitions.  First place winners from each city will advance to the national
finals in May.
    For more information about DaimlerChrysler's "Build Your Dream Vehicle"
program, educators should call 1-888-839-BYDV (2938), or visit the Web site at
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/bydv .