- Dodge brand to be introduced in Europe and other major markets
- Powerful American brand will continue to be defined by bold design and
90 years of solid heritage
- Dodge vehicles to be sold in most of the existing Chrysler and Jeep(R)
dealer outlets
- Chrysler Group will more than double the total number of models
available outside North America in the next four years
DETROIT, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dodge, a storied American
automotive brand known for bold design, powerful and capable vehicles, will
become the Chrysler Group's third brand sold in major markets outside North
America.
Today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Dieter
Zetsche, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chrysler Group,
confirmed that the Company's longest established automotive brand will be
introduced to markets worldwide. The Dodge brand celebrates its 90th
anniversary this year.
"The European launch of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 sports car in 2004 will
lead the way, followed by a portfolio of new international Dodge passenger
cars starting in 2006," said Zetsche. "These products will embody the
powerful and bold American attributes of the brand in an affordable package
that meets the tastes and needs of our customers around the world."
The Dodge car-based portfolio will offer a range of powerful yet fuel-
efficient petrol and diesel engines. "Our focus outside North America will be
on passenger cars, even though in the U.S. the Dodge brand is often associated
with pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans," said Joe Eberhardt, Executive Vice
President for Global Sales, Marketing and Service. "The Dodge portfolio,
along with Chrysler and Jeep(R) vehicles, will allow us to offer a range of
products covering virtually all segments of the international passenger car
market."
The new Dodge models, combined with planned Chrysler and Jeep new product
launches, will more than double the number of Chrysler Group vehicles
available outside North America in the next four years. The number of right-
hand drive and diesel-equipped models will also more than double in that
period.
The portfolio of Dodge cars will be sold alongside Chrysler and Jeep
products in most of the existing dealer outlets. A recent new corporate
identity program for Chrysler and Jeep(R) dealers internationally, anticipated
the arrival of Dodge and calls for the exterior and interior of the showrooms
to be designed with the flexibility to incorporate the third brand in a cost-
effective and modular way.
The first new Dodge vehicle to be introduced internationally will be the
8.3-liter V10-engine Dodge Viper SRT-10 sports car. The two-seater
convertible will be displayed at the 2004 Paris Motor Show in September.
"Dodge has been an American icon and a winning brand for 90 years, and the
time is right to introduce Dodge to our customers in markets other than North
America," said Eberhardt. "What better way to capture the imagination of
potential Dodge customers than to arrive with the Dodge Viper, a vehicle that
epitomizes the essence of the brand and has become an icon of the high
performance American sports car?"
The Dodge brand, which is characterized by its edgy, bold and capable
vehicles, is currently sold only in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and in a small
number of export markets. With the international introduction of new Dodge,
Chrysler and Jeep vehicles, the company expects its market share in Western
Europe to exceed one percent by 2007.
SOURCE DaimlerChrysler
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