CHRYSLER PURSUES TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE PERFORMANCE, EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPATIBILITY

Auburn Hills, Mich.-Chrysler Corporation is pursuing and incorporating a select set of technologies to meet the needs of customers and reduce the environmental impact of its cars and trucks.

"Environmental technology doesn't have to be boring," said Tom Gale, Executive Vice President - Product Strategy. "It can be packaged in a stylish family sedan, a versatile minivan or a not-so-practical - but very exciting - street-racing inspired hot rod."

Chrysler's environmental leadership is evidenced by the increasing number of low emission vehicles, more efficient and cleaner engines, lighter weight materials and the processes by which cars and trucks are made.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Chrysler offers a range of alternatively fueled vehicles. As the first major automaker to introduce to the market certified low (LEV), ultra-low (ULEV) and zero (ZEV) emission vehicles, Chrysler plans to maintain its leadership position in providing practical, reduced emission vehicles. The following vehicles are available in 1999:

• Chrysler Corporation minivans with the 3.3-liter, V-6 engine have the flexibility to run on either unleaded gasoline or E-85 (85 percent gasoline, 15 percent ethanol blend) or any blend of the two. The flexible fuel vehicles represent over 40 percent of the minivans Chrysler sells
• The zero emission EPIC electric minivan is available in the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan models and has new nickel-metal hydride batteries this year, which increase the driving range more than 33 percent
• The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Dodge Ram Van and Wagon meet Super Ultra LEV (SULEV) standards and have 50 percent lower hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen emissions compared to the 1997 CNG models

Engine and Emission Improvements A combination of base engine, calibration and exhaust aftertreatment refinements makes Chrysler's 1999 vehicles sold in eight northeastern states and Washington, D.C. up to 70 percent cleaner than last year. That comparison to Chrysler's 1998 vehicles is in addition to a 96 percent reduction in emissions from the 1960s.

• For 1999, the following vehicles sold in the northeast states and Washington, D.C. have reduced hydrocarbon emissions by 70 percent and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by 50 percent: Dodge and Plymouth Neon, Plymouth Breeze, Dodge Stratus, Chrysler Cirrus, Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines and minivans with the 2.4-liter engine
• Minivans with the 3.8-liter engine and the Jeep¨ Grand Cherokee have 69 percent lower hydrocarbon and 43 percent lower NOx emissions than 1998 models. The Grand Cherokee meets LEV standards and has more towing power, faster initial acceleration and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor
• The following vehicles have 50 percent lower hyrdrocarbon emissions: Cirrus, Stratus and Sebring Convertible with 2.5-liter engine; Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler LHS; Dodge Dakota with the 2.5-liter engine; Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee

Vehicles sold in New York and Massachusetts will meet the same emission levels as vehicles sold in California. Some Chrysler products with the California package have 40-69 percent lower hydrocarbon and 43-50 percent lower NOx emissions than last year.

Engines for international markets are being designed for improved power and fuel economy and lower noise, vibration and harshness levels while meeting or exceeding new worldwide emission standards. Engines in development for international markets include:

• Two all-new direct-injected, four-valve turbo-diesels (1.9- and 2.5-liter)
• 3.1-liter, five-cylinder turbo diesel to be offered in the all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1.8-liter, four-cylinder single overhead cam (SOHC) engine
• New 1.6 and 1.4-liter engines being produced at Tritec Engine Plant, the joint-venture plant with BMW currently under construction in Curitiba, Paran‡, Brazil. The 1.6-liter engine will have initial application in the next-generation Neon

Lightweight Materials
The development of new and unique lightweight materials is another key technology leading to more efficient vehicles. Aluminum, composites, magnesium and new applications of steel all contribute to Chrysler's materials research. Some examples include:

• Chrysler's research into fully recyclable, thermoplastic polyester-based composites, first applied to the Composite Concept Vehicle (CCV), is yielding promising results. Tests with the CCV show the technology can significantly reduce cost and manufacturing time as well as cut conventional vehicle body weights in half, while still meeting stringent safety regulations
• The Plymouth Prowler, likely the most significant production use of aluminum technology, is a rolling test bed of lightweight materials. More than 900 pounds of the 2780-pound roadster is aluminum. Lightweight composites and magnesium also contribute to the Prowler's unique material applications
• Dent-resistant high-strength steel reduces weight and increases the structural integrity of vehicles. On the Chrysler Concorde, extensive use of high-strength steels reduced body shell weight by an estimated 40 pounds (18 kg) compared to mild steel

Stationary Environmental Improvements
"Improving our overall environmental performance is reflected in our processes as well as our products," Gale added.

Several Chrysler manufacturing facilities incorporated new technologies and processes to improve environmental performance. For example:

• A new wastewater treatment facility is under construction at the Toluca, Mexico complex to process wastewater from the assembly, transmission, engine and stamping plants. A three-stage process treats the wastewater to achieve zero discharge
• By changing the current plastic and elastic protective cover for seat systems to an all-plastic, contoured cover, Chrysler diverts 90,000 pounds of plastic from landfills and saves $136,000 a year
• The Indiana Transmission Plant and Mack Avenue Engine Plant share many new processes. Some changes include minimized storage of chemicals by using just-in-time inventory management; elimination of storm sewers within the plants to prevent the possibility of chemicals being released into storm sewers; and a new "first flush system" that collects the first 15 minutes of surface runoff during rain and discharges the rain runoff to the wastewater treatment plant
• By the end of 1998, Chrysler facilities will be free of all polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) electrical equipment
• The paint shops at Newark, Windsor and Warren Truck assembly plants are now using a lead-free E-coat. Newark also installed new, more efficient painting equipment that reduces air emissions