All New 2004 Dodge Durango to Use Solutia Automotive Auto Glass Interlayer

Standard laminated side glass quiets cabin, increases vehicle refinement

TROY, Mich., Nov. 13 -- The completely redesigned 2004 Dodge Durango will be the first Chrysler vehicle to include laminated side glass as standard equipment, according to Solutia Automotive, who will supply the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer for the glass.

Laminated glass, which is a glass-PVB-glass sandwich, significantly reduces interior noise, saves weight, and provides greater intrusion resistance and UV protection, compared to conventional tempered glass.

Solutia supplies the PVB interlayer to PPG Industries, North America's largest manufacturer of automotive glass for original-equipment and replacement applications, which manufactures and laminates the glass. PPG supplies the finished glass to the Chrysler Group.

"This adoption is important to us, and is evidence of increasing recognition of the benefits of laminated glass," said Jay Pyper, North American market development for Solutia Automotive.

In tests conducted by Solutia, laminated glass reduced the intrusion of wind and road noise into a vehicle by up to six decibels. The quietness of a vehicle's interior is directly associated with the perception of quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Vehicle Acoustic Study. A quieter interior also improves a vehicle's Articulation Index, a measure of audibility in the cabin. Good audibility is a distinct advantage as voice- activated devices such as hands free cell phones become more prevalent.

Laminated glass offers additional benefits:

* Intrusion resistance -- the tough PVB interlayer increases intrusion resistance by about 10 times over tempered glass.

* Protection of passengers and interior materials from UV ray penetration -- tests by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency showed a 90 percent reduction in UV ray penetration with laminated glass versus 60 percent using ordinary tempered glass.

* Weight reduction -- Laminated glass weighs 11 percent less than comparable tempered glass.

Solutia (http://www.solutia.com/ ) uses world-class skills in applied chemistry to create value-added solutions for customers, whose products improve the lives of consumers every day. Solutia is a world leader in performance films, producing Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) brand polyvinyl butyral interlayers for laminated glass in automotive, architectural and residential applications. Solutia is also a leader in process development and scale-up services for pharmaceutical fine chemicals; specialties such as water treatment chemicals, heat transfer fluids and aviation hydraulic fluid and an integrated family of nylon products including high-performance polymers and fibers. Solutia ... Solutions For A Better Life.

Information about Solutia Inc. may be found at www.solutia.com .

Note: Solutia Automotive manufactures the plastic interlayer polyvinyl butyral used in laminated glass, but is not a glass manufacturer.