Chrysler Group Will Command Spotlight at 2002 SEMA Show
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (August 29, 2002)- Chrysler Group, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the 2002 SEMA Show, will be at center stage during the SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in November. On Monday, Nov. 4, Chrysler Group will kick off the show's activities with the keynote luncheon program during SEMA Innovations Day. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO, Chrysler Group, and Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President- Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group, will speak to industry leaders. Their theme will be "Today's Chrysler Group: The Industry's Speed Shop." The program, to be held in the LVCC, will begin at 12:30 p.m. The Chrysler Group exhibit will feature highly accessorized "image vehicles". Dozens of project vehicles supplied by Chrysler Group will also be on display throughout the show and on the Convention Center's outside apron. Schroer noted that Chrysler Group's program to provide Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles for SEMA members to accessorize and display was at an unprecedented level last year. "The SEMA Show is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the desirability of Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles for personalization and accessorization," Schroer said. Chrysler Group will hold a news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 5, immediately following the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the show. In the past several years, it has become the custom for featured OEMs to use the SEMA Show venue to launch new car and truck models and to gain the automotive industry's reaction to concept vehicles. "We're putting an enormous amount of effort toward the SEMA Show and our programs with SEMA and its members. We have this 'crazy' idea: build the coolest vehicles on the road, build them on a foundation of quality, then let the owners of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles add their personal passion into our cars and truck." Schroer said. Meeting with SEMA members in DaimlerChrysler headquarters earlier this year, Schroer announced Chrysler Group's intention of sharing its design technology with SEMA's manufacturer members. The technology-transfer program means that SEMA members will bring well-engineered parts and accessories for new vehicles to market more quickly and efficiently. According to Schroer: "It's not necessarily the (vehicle) manufacturers who should do all the accessorizing. We like to do it, and think we're doing it better than most of our competitors. But we're serious about delivering on our promise to work with SEMA members toward a common goal -- put the coolest vehicles on the road, the way individuals really want them." The 2002 SEMA Show will be Chrysler's 26th consecutive year as a show exhibitor. In addition to the Chrysler Group, other OEM exhibitors at the 2002 SEMA Show will include Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Panoz, Suzuki, and Toyota. The OEM presence at the SEMA Show has grown from three manufacturers to the current 12 over the past five years. The 2002 SEMA Show will be held from Tuesday, Nov. 5 - Friday, Nov. 8, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. SEMA's Innovations Day is Monday, Nov. 4, preceding the show. This year's SEMA Show will be organized in ten sections for the convenience of buyers. The sections are named: International Tire Expo; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Accessories Center; Street Rod Alley; Trucks, SUVs, Truck Caps & Accessories; Wheels & Performance Tires; (the all-new) Performance Marine Pavilion; and General. Icons for each of the sections will help direct buyers and exhibiting personnel through the Show.