Chrysler Group COO Wolfgang Bernard Drives First, All-New 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Off the Production Line

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and STUTTGART, Germany, Feb. 3 -- The Chrysler Group
announced today that production of the all-new 2004
Chrysler Crossfire is underway.  Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer
Wolfgang Bernhard marked the occasion by driving the first Chrysler Crossfire
off the assembly line in Germany.  Members of the Crossfire engineering team
were also on hand to celebrate the occasion.
    The Crossfire is being built in Osnabrueck, Germany in conjunction with
Karmann, a long-time DaimlerChrysler partner with more than 100 years of
manufacturing experience.  Founded in 1901, Karmann is one of the world's
leading full-service suppliers to the automotive industry.
    "Today, we celebrate the production launch of the Chrysler Crossfire, a
vehicle that combines stunning American design with proven German
engineering," said Wolfgang Bernhard.  "In just twenty-four months, this
vehicle went from a pure concept to the vehicle we are building today, because
of the dedicated efforts at DaimlerChrysler to find the best synergies for all
of our products."
    Chrysler Crossfire was developed after a concept version of the car was
revealed at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  A
production version was unveiled one year later at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto
Show.  Today's production announcement makes the Crossfire one of the fastest
concept-to-reality decisions in the auto industry.
    Chrysler Group accelerated the speed to market due to the expertise of the
Crossfire team and its ability to preserve key aspects of the concept vehicle,
while identifying Mercedes-Benz components to be used in production.  For
example, the sleek design, wheel base and center exhaust system were
maintained from the original Crossfire concept, and powertrain and axle
components are shared from Mercedes-Benz.
    The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is a low-slung, two seat sports coupe with a
sculptured appearance.  Under its hood is a 3.2-liter 90-degree V-6, 18-valve
SOHC engine available with a six-speed manual or five-speed automotive
transmission.
    "The Crossfire represents the future of the Chrysler Brand, with proven
quality and technology packaged in a stunning wrapper," stated Bernhard.
    Chrysler Group has the capacity to build approximately 20,000 units, of
which 15 percent will be earmarked for international markets.  The Company
expects to produce 11,000 units this year.  Chrysler Crossfire will be
available mid-summer 2003.

    Note:  A photo and caption are available with this release.  For
additional photography of the Chrysler Crossfire production launch, go to the
DaimlerChrysler Media Web site at http://media.daimlerchrysler.com .