Auburn Riverside High School of Washington State Wins Chrysler Group's 'Dream' Vehicle Contest

            Build Your Dream Vehicle National Competition Unveils
                   Potential of Future Automotive Designers

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 2 The next generation of
automotive vehicles took center stage this week at the Chrysler Group's North
American Headquarters as nine student teams from throughout the U.S. competed
for design awards at the annual Build Your Dream Vehicle (BYDV) contest in
Auburn Hills, Michigan.
    The winning design, Mojave, a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle with
zero emissions, earned Auburn Riverside High School of Auburn, Washington,
a cash award of $5,000.00.  According to the student designers, the Mojave is
built to accommodate a consumer's lifestyle changes.  Drawing inspiration from
a snake, the vehicle's three-in-one body is able to transform from a coupe
into a convertible or a wagon.
    The design team from Los Altos High School of Hacienda Heights,
California, earned second place with Serenity, a sleek, aerodynamic concept
powered by a methanol fuel cell.  The Serenity was designed to compete in the
luxury sports sedan market segment.
    The third place winning design was introduced by students from Highland
Park High School of Highland Park, Illinois.  With its diesel-like engine, the
luxury vehicle claims fuel economy of 80 miles per gallon.
    Trevor Creed, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President of Design, applauded
the students for their imaginative and innovative designs.  "What excites
us most about the Build Your Dream Vehicle program is not what we see you
do.  It's what we see in you.  We see a talented and enthusiastic group of
young people who are actually giving us a glimpse into the future of the
industry," he said.
    The teams earned the opportunity to participate in the BYDV national
finals by winning first-place at regional competitions held throughout the
U.S. earlier this year.  Students from the following schools competed in the
national contest:  Suncoast Community High School (FL), Auburn Riverside High
School (WA), Perry Hall High School (MD), Forsyth Central High School (GA),
Poway High School (CA), Highland Park High School (IL), Thurston High School
(MI), Los Altos High School (CA) and Barbara Jordan High School (TX).
    DaimlerChrysler's "Build Your Dream Vehicle" program exposes high school
students to career opportunities in the automotive industry and provides
opportunities for them to explore engineering, design and marketing
skills.  Students are challenged to create, develop and present a futuristic,
environmentally-friendly concept vehicle -- complete with a three-dimensional
model and/or drawings.  Working with teachers and utilizing an integrated
curriculum developed by the Chrysler Group, the students learn production
planning and communication strategies that are applied to their design
concept.
    The Build Your Dream Vehicle program now engages nearly 5,000 students
from more than 700 high schools in nine markets.  Since its inception in
1994, the Chrysler Group has recognized the outstanding achievements of these
student teams by awarding more than $500,000 to participating high schools.

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