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Chrysler's PT Cruiser Special Editions Make Style Statements

21 September 2000

Chrysler's PT Cruiser Special Editions Make Style Statements For Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's

    NEW YORK, Sept. 21 Today, at the fifth annual Louis
Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center, New York, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
unveiled three special edition concepts of its successful Chrysler PT Cruiser,
a vehicle too cool to categorize.
    Three very different organizations, all known for having a distinctive
style -- Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's -- have seen the PT Cruiser as
a marvelous palette upon which to make their own statement through the
addition of subtle features mixed with unique colors and fabrics.
    "The PT Cruiser can be whatever the individual owner wants it to be,"
explained Tom Gale, Executive Vice President Product Development and Design
for DaimlerChrysler Corporation.  "It fits any lifestyle: some may see it as a
tribute to the classic era -- a street rod, others as a multi-faceted and
functional light truck in a class of its own.  Or some as, simply, a cool set
of wheels.  You can love it for what it is, or fashion your own statement on
this retro-yet-modern vehicle.  And the latter is just what we did in concert
with our partners at Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's."

    Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition
    The history of luggage provider Louis Vuitton has, obviously, been long
tied to transportation.  In fact, in 1897 George Vuitton designed the first
automobile "trunk."  The first car trunk was just that -- a trunk fashioned to
attach to an automobile.  The concept was soon incorporated into the overall
vehicle, but the name remained.
    Today, the French firm whose bags themselves are fashion statements,
celebrates automotive design as art and fashion throughout history by
sponsoring classic-car concours d'elegance in North America and Europe.
    The Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition celebrates the fifth
anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center.
    The concept's signature checkerboard pattern, with its distinctive "LV"
logo, subtly applied to the aquamarine metallic paint, 16-inch chrome wheels,
a chrome exhaust tip and a Louis Vuitton Classic 2000 sun shade visually set
this PT Cruiser apart.
    The interior features exclusive Louis Vuitton "LV" fabric inserts on the
doors and seats.  Saddle leather accents the door pull handles and steering-
wheel.  The PT Cruiser's spacious cargo area is fitted with tailor-made Louis
Vuitton luggage.
    "The Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition embodies the attributes
valued by both companies: quality and style, tradition and innovation,
functionality and creativity," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President Design
for DaimlerChrysler Corporation.

    Chrysler PT Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition
    Style, performance and ergonomics are the hallmark of TAG Heuer,
manufacturer of the world's most prestigious sports watches.  The Chrysler PT
Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition's performance appearance, showing off refined
materials and details, distinguish it from any other vehicle.
    The exterior's bright silver pearl paint is evocative of the company's
watch cases, complemented by the understated TAG Heuer badges.  Polished, 16-
inch, multi-spoked wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and a full-vehicle ground-
effects package complete the visual enhancements.
    This high-tech theme continues in the ergonomically-designed interior,
with metallic seat and door-trim inserts and bright silver pearl accents on
the instrument panel.

    Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition
    Meguiar's, experts in automotive surface care with its renowned line of
waxes, has had a passion for classic and custom cars since 1901.  This deep-
seeded enthusiasm shows in the Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition.
    "This concept embodies the standard of excellence in exterior treatment
for which Meguiar's has long been known," said Creed.
    This PT Cruiser is finished in rich Black Pearl with a one-of-a-kind flame
treatment in Meguiar's signature red and yellow.  Five-spoke chrome wheels
round off the appearance.
    The projects were coordinated by Margaret Hackstedde, James Parker Jr.,
Kimberly Roycroft and Anna Walkush of DaimlerChrysler Corporation's Product
Design Office.
    According to Creed, these three new concepts are early permutations in the
evolution of the Chrysler PT Cruiser.  "These special editions are the next
design and styling exercises based on this vehicle.  Earlier this year we
showed the GT Cruiser and Panel Cruiser as the first variations and we will
continue to create special editions, either with partners such as Louis
Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's, or as projects by our own design staff.  In
addition, we know many owners will customize their PT Cruiser based upon their
impression of just what kind of vehicle it is."