Chrysler Sets 1998 Prices
13 August 1997
Chrysler Sets 1998 PricesAUBURN 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