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Chrysler Sets 1998 Prices

13 August 1997

Chrysler Sets 1998 Prices

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 13 -- Chrysler Corporation
announced today that suggested prices on its 1998 cars and trucks
will be an average of 0.6 percent lower than on comparably equipped 1997
models.
    "This pricing reflects the realities of a competitive marketplace, but
more important, it represents Chrysler's continuing success at cutting costs
and finding efficiencies that let us deliver tremendous value to our
customers," said James P. Holden, Executive Vice President - Sales and
Marketing.  "We limited model year price increases to 2 percent or less in
1995, 1996 and 1997.  This year, on average, we've more than held the line.
    "On some vehicles, base prices will be lower.  On others, base prices will
rise slightly -- in some cases to reflect previously optional features that
have been made standard to better match what our customers' orders are telling
us they want," Holden said.  "There also are changes in the content and prices
of certain option packages -- again, to reflect the preferences of buyers.
    "Consumers will find that Chrysler Corporation's cars, trucks, minivans
and Jeep(R) vehicles continue to stand out in the marketplace, not only as the
best choices in terms of features, style and performance, but as the best
values."
    On a sales weighted average, suggested prices for 1998 Chrysler
Corporation passenger cars will be 1.3 percent lower than prices on comparably
equipped 1997 models.  Prices on trucks, including minivans and Jeep vehicles,
reflect an average decline of 0.4 percent.  Destination charges are unchanged.
    The prices announced today do not include vehicles that will be launched
later this year, such as the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Dodge
Durango, and Dodge Ram Van and Wagon.
    Here are some examples that illustrate 1998 pricing actions:
    The Dodge and Plymouth Neon "Highline" is now the entry-level vehicle.
With available air conditioning and automatic transmission, the price for a
four-door typically equipped Neon Highline model, including destination, is
$13,455.  Standard equipment includes an upgraded interior with lowback bucket
seats, rear window defroster, remote trunk release and fold-down rear seat.
The suggested price on a comparably equipped 1997 model was $13,770.
    The 1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi wraps the best blend of luxury, performance
and value in the mid-sized segment into a single model.  Standard on this
"one-price-class" Cirrus are a 168-horsepower V-6 engine, antilock brakes,
power accessories, aluminum wheels and leather-trimmed interior with power
driver's seat (a no-cost option).  The suggested 1998 price, including
destination, is $19,995.  The comparably equipped 1997 Cirrus LXi carried a
suggested price of $21,830, including destination.
    A four-wheel-drive, four-door Jeep Cherokee Sport, with automatic
transmission and options most often selected by Cherokee buyers,  carries a
suggested price of $22,070, including destination -- a decrease of $805 from
the comparably equipped 1997 model.
    (A list of 1998 base prices and destination charges follows.)

                       1998 Model Chrysler Corporation
         Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices & Destination Charges

    Chrysler                                MSRP       Dest
      Sebring JX Convertible               $20,575     535
      Sebring JXi Convertible               25,040     535
      Cirrus                                19,460     535
      Sebring LX                            16,840     535 *
      Sebring LXi                           20,775     535 *
      Concorde LX                           TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Concorde LXi                          TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Town & Country SX - SWB               26,680     580
      Town & Country LX - LWB               27,135     580
      Town & Country LXi - LWB              31,720     580
      Town & Country LX - LWB AWD           30,135     580
      Town & Country LXi - LWB AWD          34,095     580

    Plymouth
      Neon Highline - 4 Door                11,355     500
      Neon Highline - 2 Door                11,155     500
      Breeze                                14,675     535
      Voyager - SWB                         17,415     580
      Voyager SE - SWB                      21,290     580
      Grand Voyager - LWB                   20,125     580
      Grand Voyager SE - LWB                22,285     580

    Dodge
      Neon - 4 Door                         11,100     500
      Neon Highline - 4 Door                11,355     500
      Neon - 2 Door                         10,900     500
      Neon Highline - 2 Door                11,155     500
      Stratus                               14,840     535
      Stratus ES                            17,665     535
      Avenger                               14,930     535 *
      Avenger ES                            17,310     535 *
      Intrepid                              TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Intrepid ES                           TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Viper Coupe                           TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Viper Roadster                        TO BE ANNOUNCED
      Caravan - SWB                         17,415     580
      Caravan SE - SWB                      21,290     580
      Caravan LE - SWB                      25,030     580
      Grand Caravan - LWB                   20,125     580
      Grand Caravan SE - LWB                22,285     580
      Grand Caravan LE - LWB                26,025     580
      Grand Caravan ES - LWB                26,605     580
      Grand Caravan SE - LWB AWD            25,650     580
      Grand Caravan LE - LWB AWD            29,200     580
      Grand Caravan ES - LWB AWD            29,720     580

    Eagle
      Talon                                 14,505     535 *
      Talon ESi                             15,275     535 *
      Talon TSi                             18,460     535 *
      Talon TSi AWD                         20,715     535 *


    * Destination charge in Alaska is $550

    Jeep Cherokee
      SE 2WD 4Dr                            16,480     525
      SE 2WD 2Dr                            15,440     525
      Sport 2WD 4Dr                         19,090     525
      Sport 2WD 2Dr                         18,055     525
      Classic 2WD 4Dr                       20,480     525
      SE 4WD 4Dr                            17,990     525
      SE 4WD 2Dr                            16,955     525
      Sport 4WD 4Dr                         20,600     525
      Sport 4WD 2Dr                         19,565     525
      Classic 4WD 4Dr                       21,995     525
      RHD 2WD 4Dr                           20,500     525
      RHD 4WD 4Dr                           22,010     525

    Jeep Grand Cherokee
      Laredo 2WD                            25,845     525
      TSi 2WD                               27,995     525
      Limited 2WD                           31,360     525
      Laredo 4WD                            27,815     525
      TSI 4WD                               29,965     525
      Limited 4 WD                          33,790     525
      5.9L Limited                          38,175     525

    Jeep Wrangler
      Wrangler SE                           14,090     525
      Wrangler Sport                        17,505     525
      Wrangler Sahara                       19,615     525

    Dodge Dakota 2-Wheel Drive
      Base 112"                             12,975     510
      Base 124"                             13,435     510
      Base Club Cab 131"                    16,170     510

    Dodge Dakota 4-Wheel Drive
      Base 112"                             16,955     510
      Base Club Cab 131"                    19,755     510

    Dodge Durango
      Durango 4x4                           TO BE ANNOUNCED

    Dodge Ram Van/Wagon
      B1500 Cargo 109"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B1500 Cargo 127"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B1500 Cargo Maxi                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B1500 Conversion 109"                 TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B1500 Conversion 127"                 TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B2500 Cargo 127"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B2500 Conversion 127"                 TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B2500 Cargo Maxi                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B3500 Cargo 127"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B3500 Cargo Maxi                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B3500 Conversion 127"                 TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B3500 Conversion Maxi                 TO BE ANNOUNCED

      B1500 Wagon 109"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B2500 Wagon 127"                      TO BE ANNOUNCED
      B3500 Wagon Maxi                      TO BE ANNOUNCED

    Dodge Ram Pickup Regular Cab 2-Wheel Drive
      1500 WS SWB 119"                      14,485     640
      1500 WS LWB 135"                      14,755     640
      1500 SWB 119"                         16,260     640
      1500 LWB 135"                         16,545     640
      2500 HD 135"                          19,510     640
      3500 135"                             20,800     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Regular Cab 4-Wheel Drive
      1500 SWB 119"                         19,815     640
      1500 LWB 135"                         20,155     640
      2500 HD 135"                          22,925     640
      3500 135"                             23,810     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Chassis Cab 2-Wheel Drive
      2500 HD 135"                          18,790     640
      3500 139"                             19,980     640
      3500 163"                             20,135     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Chassis Cab 4-Wheel Drive
      2500 HD 135"                          21,345     640
      3500 139"                             22,660     640
      3500 163"                             22,795     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Club Cab 2-Wheel Drive
      1500 SWB 139"                         18,975     640
      1500 LWB 155"                         19,255     640
      2500 SWB 139"                         21,290     640
      2500 HD LWB 155"                      21,480     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Club Cab 4-Wheel Drive
      1500 SWB 139"                         22,205     640
      1500 LWB 155"                         22,535     640
      2500 SWB 139"                         24,535     640
      2500 HD LWB 155"                      24,725     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Quad Cab 2-Wheel Drive
      1500 SWB 139"                         19,725     640
      1500 LWB 155"                         20,005     640
      2500 SWB 139"                         22,040     640
      2500 HD LWB 155"                      22,230     640
      3500 LWB 155"                         23,935     640

    Dodge Ram Pickup Quad Cab 4-Wheel Drive
      1500 SWB 139"                         22,955     640
      1500 LWB 155"                         23,285     640
      2500 SWB 139"                         25,285     640
      2500 HD LWB 155"                      25,475     640
      3500 LWB 155"                         26,410     640

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation