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Chrysler PT Cruiser Mania Heads for Europe

14 April 2000

Chrysler PT Cruiser Mania Heads for Europe

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 13 European customers eagerly
awaiting the arrival of the Chrysler PT Cruiser need only wait a few more
days.  The first 450 Chrysler PT Cruisers headed for Europe were loaded on a
ship today at the port of Veracruz, Mexico.
    Built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, the Chrysler PT Cruisers are
the first DaimlerChrysler vehicles to be shipped from the port at Veracruz, a
new export facility for the company which will reduce transit time to Europe
from 27 to 21 days.  Previously, vehicles built in Mexico bound for Europe
went by train to Baltimore and were then transported via ship to markets
around the world.
    "Veracruz is the second largest export facility for DaimlerChrysler in
North America," said Ed Krajca, Director of International Supply and Customs.
"By shipping vehicles directly from Veracruz, we can get vehicles into the
hands of our international customers much faster."
    Vessels will make four trips per week from Mexico to Europe with an
average of 400-500 vehicles per shipment.  By December 2000, about 18,000 of
the PT Cruisers built at Toluca will be sent to Europe with another 5,000
vehicles headed for markets around the world later this year.
    "Working with and through the Veracruz Port Authority, DaimlerChrysler's
cross-functional teams and other members of the external extended enterprise
system, DaimlerChrysler has created a well-tuned machine for export operations
out of Verzcruz," said Jon Dostal, International Vehicle Logistics Manager.
    The arrival of the Chrysler PT Cruiser in European dealerships leads the
way for significant growth in DaimlerChrysler's passenger car business in
Europe following the launch of the 300M in 1998 and the new Neon in 1999.
These three vehicles, plus the new Chrysler Sebring which goes on sale later
this year and was just unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, give the brand a
completely redesigned passenger car range that is less than three years old.
    The segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser has a uniquely American style, yet
provides the practicality and spaciousness of an MPV.  The five-door PT
Cruiser is an all-new proposition for the European customer who demands
individuality and functionality in equal measure.