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DaimlerChrysler Presents 1999 Vehicle Concept Awards

3 November 1999

DaimlerChrysler Presents 1999 Vehicle Concept Awards

              New Award Expands Focus to Include Brand Lifestyle

    LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2 -- DaimlerChrysler today
announced the winners of the Vehicle Concept Awards, a new award that reflects
aftermarket manufacturers' focus on brand lifestyle.
    Tom Gale, Executive Vice President for Product Development and Design,
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, presented the 1999 Vehicle Concept Awards to the
following companies, in these categories:

    *  Most Creative:  Dakarta Off-Road Racer by Performance West
    *  Best Interior:  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Performance Truck by Bill
       Thompson Motorsports
    *  Best Exterior:  Red Hot Prowler by Paxton Automotive
    *  Best Expression of Brand Image:  Jeep(R) Cherokee Africana by American
       Expedition Vehicles
    *  Best Integration of Aftermarket Accessories to OEM:  Sport Truck
       Magazine
    *  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab by Dan Webb's Hot Rods
    *  Best Overall:  Dakarta Off-Road Racer by Performance West

    The awards were presented as part of the fifth DaimlerChrysler Design
Excellence Awards at the 1999 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
show.
    DaimlerChrysler's Vehicle Concept Awards are an addition to the existing
Product Application Awards and are presented to companies that express
innovation, superior design and brand focus in developing aftermarket vehicle
lifestyle packages for DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler, Dodge, Dodge Truck and
Jeep(R) vehicles.
    "By adding the Vehicle Concept Award category, we recognize aftermarket
manufacturers that develop total vehicle image packages, or lifestyle
packages, which address different market groups.  In addition, DaimlerChrysler
gains important insights into the significance of adding new dimensional
boundaries to existing products for specific market groups," said Gale.
    Awards were divided into six categories, which were evaluated based on
design achievement, craftsmanship, market significance, technical execution,
attention to detail and overall lifestyle focus and relevance.
    This year's vehicle concept entries were judged by a cross-functional team
representing Engineering, Design, Product Planning and Marketing, chaired by
Daniel Hardin, Senior Program Manager, Jeep Business Operations.
    DaimlerChrysler's Vehicle Concept Awards acknowledge innovative thinking,
design excellence and/or superior process management.  These awards are not
meant to be an endorsement or warranty, expressed or implied, by
DaimlerChrysler AG, its affiliates or employees.