Performance Vehicle Operations; The Enthusiast Heart of the Chrysler Group

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jul 18, 2003 - While Dodge owners have been busy grabbing life by the horns, Chrysler Group executives and engineers have been grabbing life by the throttle designing and engineering some of the most outrageous production vehicles ever developed by DaimlerChrysler Corp.

Officially known as Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO), the engineering team combines Chrysler Group’s specialty vehicle and motorsports know-how, much like the profitable high-end vehicle conversion group at Mercedes-AMG.

Dodge SRT models developed by PVO are already in dealerships. The 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10, the most outrageous sports car on the market, hit Dodge showrooms last winter, and was quickly followed into the performance lexicon by the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 -- which features the fastest 0-60 mph performance for less than $20,000. And later this year comes the most outrageous full-size truck ever, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 with Viper V-10 power.

By combining Chrysler Group's extensive motorsports experience, its legendary Viper development team and Mopar Performance Parts group -- and utilizing the best performance development processes, durable high-performance parts and some of Chrysler Group's most talented and experienced motorsports and performance car engineers -- PVO has set out to create a line of extreme performance vehicles that will blow past everyone else.

Chrysler Group executives see an opportunity to expand the Chrysler Group’s portfolio of specialty vehicles, performance models and performance parts.

PVO performance models engineered for the Dodge brand will carry the SRT badge, while Chrysler and Jeep performance lines will be announced in the future,

For Dodge, the SRT model-line philosophy represents a new twist, offering significant performance enhancements and a visual appeal. SRT will come to stand for “ultimate interpretations of performance.”

The Dodge SRT performance signature includes high-output engine performance, sport suspensions, aggressive aerodynamic packages, performance wheel and tire packages, sport interiors and performance exhausts and brakes.

Motorsports and Mopar Performance Parts
Performance Vehicle Operations also centralizes motorsports engineering resources and management. Based on the World Championship-winning Dodge Viper GTS-R program, PVO is the Chrysler Group’s center of expertise for application of technology in racing programs.

At the same time, PVO will lead new product development efforts for the Mopar brand of performance parts.

Dialing into consumer trends, PVO and Mopar will look to further expand their share of the $7.5 billion specialty equipment retail market, which includes performance and customizations. As a market that has grown 72 percent since 1990, it is a natural fit for the Chrysler Group’s well-known Mopar Performance Parts division. And based on their performance enhancements to production and racing vehicles, PVO was the first choice to lead the application of engineering resources necessary to bring Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners the most durable, highest quality performance parts.

The Performance Vehicle Operations Mission

• The team that brought the Viper and Prowler to life expands its role to engineer and produce high-profile specialty vehicles for the Chrysler Group
  
• As demonstrated by the Viper SRT-10, Viper Competition Coupe, SRT-4 and Ram SRT-10, PVO works with product platforms to engineer and produce image vehicle conversions that support product image objectives
  
• As demonstrated by Viper and Prowler, PVO provides a test bed for implementing new products, processes and material technologies for potential future high-volume applications
  
• PVO engineers enthusiast, aftermarket-driven, performance packages for release through Mopar as another method of providing corporate brand imaging
  
• Based on experience gained with the Viper GTS-R international endurance racing championship-winning program, PVO provides technical expertise in support of all corporate motorsports programs
  
• PVO provides a valued career path for the best Chrysler Group engineers

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