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Chrysler Introduces a New Dimension in Luxury Minivans

9 February 1998

Chrysler Introduces a New Dimension in Luxury Minivans

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9 -- Chrysler Corporation
, the company that created  and still dominates the minivan segment,
is offering a new dimension in luxury minivans.
    Chrysler will begin producing in March of this year the 1999 Chrysler Town
& Country Limited, an even more distinctive and upscale version of its popular
Town & Country luxury minivan.  This vehicle and other new products from
Chrysler are being showcased at the 90th annual Chicago Auto Show.
    "The Town & Country Limited is the perfect solution for the car buyer who
wants luxury plus roominess and versatility," says Ralph Sarotte, Chrysler
Corporation's General Product Manager, Minivan Platform.  "Based on customer
response, there is demand for an even more upscale Town & Country model."
     Since creating the luxury minivan with the introduction of the Town &
Country in 1990, Chrysler has sold over 300,000 Town & Country luxury
minivans, including 76,653 in 1997, continuing to dominate the upper end of
the minivan segment by answering customer needs.  In January, U.S. sales of
Town & Country were 5,559 units, an increase of 18 percent from January 1997
and a record for the month.
    New interior features available only on the Town & Country Limited include
upgraded leather seats with simulated suede trim; a new rear bench seat design
with a fold-down center arm rest; steering wheel radio controls; and heavier,
plusher carpeting for a quieter, softer feel to the interior.
    On the exterior, the Town & Country Limited features spoked chrome 16-inch
wheels and chrome door handles; body color cladding and body color roof rack;
and distinctive badging.
    The Limited will be available in four exterior colors: Taupe Frost, Golden
White Pearl Tricoat, Deep Slate and Candy Apple Red Metallic Tint.  The
interior of the Limited will be offered only in Taupe, a color designed
exclusively for the this model.
    The Limited will be powered by the high-output 3.8-liter V-6 engine which
generates 180 horsepower and 240 lb. ft. torque.  This improved engine was
introduced on the 1998 Town & Country LXi.
    During 1997, Chrysler Corporation's total minivan sales were nearly
520,000 units, a 44.4 percent market share of the U.S. minivan segment.
Overall, 1.167 million minivans were sold in the U.S. in 1997, compared to
1.150 million sold in 1996, a 2 percent increase based on the daily sales
rate.  Through January, sales of Chrysler Corporation minivans were 39,453
units, an increase of 14 percent over January 1997.
    Pricing for the Town & Country Limited will be announced prior to its
March launch. The vehicle will be produced at Chrysler's St. Louis Assembly
Plant South, Fenton, Mo.

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation