SEMA Show 2002

 

Las Vegas, Nov 6, 2002 - Mopar today introduced a new face for the Chrysler Group's parts and service brand at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show. The new look reflects a revitalized mission -- focused on renewing passion among existing customers -- while at the same time demonstrating a commitment to new markets and innovative ideas with parts for emerging vehicle categories, including the sport compact scene.

"Our goal at Mopar is to help fuel the passion our Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® owners have for their vehicles," said Christine Cortez, Senior Vice President - Global Service and Parts. "One of the ways is through the Mopar Speedshop. Creating a Mopar Speedshop in every retail store gives dealers an enthusiast connection with customers. It's the idea of a store within a store; a boutique. We see the Speedshop as an interactive hangout for car nuts.

"SEMA is at the center of the automotive universe this week," added Cortez. "This is the perfect opportunity to introduce our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers to the new Mopar. The new look of packaging, displays and in-dealership showcases are all here. We've actually brought the Mopar Speedshop in-dealership concept to SEMA with us."

"Mopar Parts and Accessories complete the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge ownership experience," said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President - Global Sales, Marketing and Service. "As a performance brand, Mopar transcends any single age group. But with authentic ties to Chrysler's muscle car past, we have a new message for today's street scene. We're taking a page out of our Mopar Speedshop roots, and turning up the passion for today's performance enthusiasts, namely sports compact owners."

A SEMA Show exhibitor since 1976 -- the longest running of any OEM brand -- Mopar has been the Chrysler Group's parts brand since 1937. As part of Chrysler Group's Manufacturer of Show presence, Mopar placed products and displays throughout the SEMA Show and unveiled a number of new parts.

"We've just begun to unleash a stream of great new products," said Kevin Miller, Senior Manager - Mopar Performance and Brand Marketing. "We're dialing up the excitement for new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles such as SRT-4 and PT Turbo by creating a stock of parts and a selection of accessories to support and personalize every single one."

Mopar Performance Parts announced plans for a complete line of Dodge SRT-4 parts including Stage I, II and III Turbo upgrade kits, coilover suspensions, annodized engine parts and performance seating.

Mopar Accessories unveiled new appearance products at SEMA including body accent kits, "Euro-style" taillamps, aggressive audio upgrades, PT Chrome packages, PT Cruiser "baby moon" wheels and a new satellite navigation system.

Mopar also used the event to highlight several racing programs that have switched to Mopar from competing brands.

Tony Stewart Motorsports, owned by the NASCAR Winston Cup point leader of the same name, has switched to Mopar to power his team's Pennzoil World of Outlaws (WoO) sprint car. Stewart's WoO driver, Danny Lasoski, was the 2001 World of Outlaws champion. This year, Lasoski has won more than 13 "A Main" events and finished among the top three in the 2002 WoO championship. And Stewart, himself, will defend his Mopar-powered 2002 Chili Bowl Championship in 2003 with his Mopar United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget.

Also following "the switch is on" theme for the motorsports event, Mopar announced the signing of Shaun Carlson. Carlson has been building some of the fastest front-wheel drive drag racing cars in the world, including the world-record holding import driven by Stephan Papadakis. Carlson's current focus is on domestic compacts, and sees a Mopar-sponsored Dodge Neon as the car to top the record books.

Mopar Parts is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles sold around the world. Mopar currently employs 4,500 people worldwide and sells millions of original equipment parts through an exclusive global network of 10,000 authorized dealers.

Mopar can trace its roots to 1937, when the brand was born by combining the words MOtor and PARts. Mopar Parts has developed and sold parts for some of the most legendary names in American history, including Chrysler, Plymouth, DeSoto, Jeep and Dodge.