Miami's Suncoast High School Wins DaimlerChrysler Corporation's First 'Build Your Dream Vehicle' National Finals

26 May 2000
Miami's Suncoast High School Wins DaimlerChrysler Corporation's First 'Build Your Dream Vehicle' National Finals
    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 26 Teamwork, dedication and
imagination contributed to the triumph of Suncoast High School of Riviera
Beach, Fla., a suburb of Miami, during DaimlerChrysler Corporation's first
annual Build Your Dream Vehicle National Finals competition.  The winning
concept, X-Caliber, earned the team $5,000 and a trophy.  Eight other teams
from across the country presented their "dream" vehicles to a panel of leading
automotive designers, engineers and educators during an all-day event Thursday
at DaimlerChrysler's North American Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.
    The Suncoast team explained that X-Caliber is designed to bridge the gap
between sports cars and family cars.  The team spent approximately 400 hours
modeling, animating and rendering the X-Caliber.
    "The past week has been very emotional for us due to a team member's
recent misfortune," said Richard Filsinger, technology teacher at Suncoast.
"We were able to pull together to win it for Katie; she was our inspiration."
    Team member Katie Gonzalez was seriously injured in an automobile accident
this past weekend, which put her in intensive care for several days.  Gonzalez
has already undergone reconstructive surgery and will need physical therapy,
but is expected to recover.
    "Katie's determination and spirit will help her through this trying time,"
said fellow team member and best friend, Connie Rizzo.  "We wouldn't have made
it this far without her contribution."
    Los Altos High School of Hacienda Heights, Calif. earned second-place and
William Fremd High School of Palatine, Ill. took third place.
    The Phoenix from Los Altos uses a 200-hp hybrid electric engine to power
the drivetrain.  The aerodynamic and environmentally friendly sports vehicle
has solar cells imbedded in the moon roof that absorb the sun's energy and
converts it into electricity.
    To design their vehicle, William Fremd team members asked if they were in
wheelchairs how would they get home.  The answer, the Accessa, a mid-size car
that accommodates disabled or physically challenged passengers.
    The nine finalist teams were first place winners in regional competitions
that took place earlier this year.  The schools participating in the National
Finals were:  Forsyth High School (Atlanta), Perry Hall High School
(Baltimore), William Fremd High School (Chicago), Dakota High School
(Detroit), Barbara Jordan High School (Houston), Los Altos High School
(Los Angeles), Suncoast High School (Miami), Poway High School (San Diego),
and Auburn Riverside High School (Seattle).
    DaimlerChrysler's "Build Your Dream Vehicle" program exposes high school
students to career opportunities in the automotive industry and provides
opportunities for them to enhance their professional skills.  Students are
challenged to create, design, and present a futuristic, environmentally
friendly concept vehicle -- complete with a three-dimensional model and/or
drawings.  An integrated curriculum developed by DaimlerChrysler guides
teachers and students on how to apply science, technology, and design; time
management; creativity; teamwork; oral presentations; and development of
marketing strategies and financial statements.
    "This program gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents in a
very realistic business world setting," said A. C. (Bud) Liebler, Sr. Vice
President of Global Marketing for the Chrysler/Jeep and Dodge brands.
"The teams we saw here today, and throughout the regional competitions, are a
glimpse of the innovative, young people who may hold the keys to the future of
the automotive industry."
    Since it began in 1994 with one market (Chicago), the Build Your Dream
Vehicle program has expanded to nine markets with nearly 5,000 students from
more than 700 high schools submitting their "dream" entries to date.
DaimlerChrysler has recognized the outstanding achievements of these student
teams by awarding more than half million dollars participating high schools.
For more information about "Build Your Dream Vehicle," educators should call
1-888-839-BYDV (2938), or visit http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/bydv .

    Visit DaimlerChrysler's Media Services Web Site at
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com for additional DaimlerChrysler news.