LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- One year after announcing the
creation of a new retail concept, Speedshops, Chrysler Group's Mopar(R) brand
returned to the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show to
announce the official grand opening of Mopar Speedshops nationwide.
Innovative product announcements and Mopar's new category-specific performance
catalogs also highlighted the manufacturer's presence at SEMA.
Mopar has been an automotive industry icon since the 1960s, when it
defined the muscle car era with performance parts and accessories for car
enthusiasts. The timeline has changed -- from the 1960s and '70s to a new
millennium -- but the passions of car lovers haven't. Today, Mopar announced
that it will focus special attention on three specific groups of enthusiasts:
The "Muscle" group with which Mopar has always enjoyed a special relationship,
the new "Street" crowd that's satisfying a new generation's passion for cars
and the serious racers whose focus is on "Speed."
The Speedshop is a showcase for the new line of performance parts and
accessories from Mopar. The Dodge SRT-4, Sport Compact Car of the Year for
2003, offers a unique platform for customization. Mopar's Stage 1 Turbo
Upgrade and Turbo Blow Off Valve have already been a retail success with these
owners. With 10 new Chrysler Group launches in the 2004 calendar year, the
Speedshops will be ready to cater to customers' new car parts and accessory
needs.
Last year, the response was overwhelmingly positive when Mopar introduced
the Mopar Speedshop concept at the SEMA Show and to dealers. Hundreds of
Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealerships have inquired about becoming a
Speedshop dealer. These dealers understand that the Mopar Speedshop is a
unique opportunity to create a "store within a store" and sell the parts their
customers demand. Whatever the customer's needs, interests or passions, the
Mopar Speedshop is a retail environment that has it all in the way of Mopar
products.
As a result of the positive response to the Speedshop concept, dealers
will open 40 Mopar Speedshops across the country in the coming months.
"We want the Mopar Speedshops in dealerships to become the places that
enthusiasts think of and go to when they are enhancing the performance or
appearance of their Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle," said Christine Cortez,
Senior Vice President - Global Service and Parts. "Whether the focus of our
customer's passion is on muscle cars, the new street scene or on serious
racing, Mopar Speedshops are where they will find the latest innovation in
performance and accessories," added Cortez.
Mopar Speedshops Give Dealers a Connection to the Tuner Trend
SEMA has been the main event for aftermarket companies to display what was
possible with creativity and hard work. Since 1976, Mopar has been a part of
SEMA and has grown with the organization as the popularity of car hobbyists
and enthusiasts has exploded into a $26 billion annual business.
The goal of the Mopar Speedshop concept is to provide a place where car
enthusiasts can go to get authentic Mopar parts, talk to product experts and
generally "hang out" with other Mopar car lovers.
Through both its retail Speedshops and three new category-specific
catalogs, Mopar is able to satisfy the needs of enthusiasts, regardless of
their passion: Muscle, Street or Speed.
"Identifying the three types of Mopar enthusiasts allows us to offer an
incredible array of products in the Speedshops," said Kevin Miller, Senior
Manager - Mopar Performance and Brand Marketing. "We will have the items the
car buffs are looking for to express their creativity and personalities
through their vehicles using Mopar parts."
Sport compact drag racing standout Shaun Carlson, NHRA Funny Car driver
Gary Scelzi and sprint car stars Danny Lasoski and J.J. Yeley will be on hand
when the SEMA Speedshop opens. Carlson's Dodge SRT-4 Pro FWD drag car has
recorded the fastest quarter-mile time ever for a front wheel-drive-vehicle.
Scelzi holds the NHRA Funny Car top speed record of 329mph, recorded in
September 2003 in a Dodge Stratus. And on the dirt tracks, Mopar-powered
sprints and midgets have combined for a record number of wins in 2003,
clinching the USAC championship and runner-up in the World of Outlaws
championship.
Mopar has been the Chrysler Group's parts brand since 1937. Mopar Parts
is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts, components and
accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles sold around the world.
SOURCE Chrysler Group
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com
CONTACT:
Kevin McCormick, +1-248-512-6218, or David
Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, both of Chrysler Group
NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from
DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com .
|
