Chrysler Debuts Fanciful Concept Cars

D E T R O I T, Jan. 10 -- The Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG reachedinto its recent past with three concept vehicles touting Americaninspiration.

Morale has been slipping at the Auburn Hills, Mich.-basedChrysler Group amid slower sales, red ink and a management shake-upthat put a German, Dieter Zetsche, in charge, and sent otherAmerican managers packing.

Exhibitions like the North American International Auto Show inDetroit focus on nothing but the upside of the auto industry. InDaimlerChrysler's case, the concept vehicles that were unveiledTuesday hinted at a backlash against Wall Street and mediaperceptions that Chrysler is subordinate to its nominal partner,Daimler-Benz.

Touting them as "exercises in Americana," DaimlerChryslerintroduced the Crossfire coupe, Dodge Super8 Hemi sedan and JeepWillys — "Hemi" echoing a famous Chrysler engine of the 1960s,"Willys" a brand dating to the early 1900s.

"These are dreams of what [our] designers would like to see onthe road," said Trevor Creed, DaimlerChrysler's senior vicepresident of design.

Dune Buggies, Dorm Rooms on Wheels

The Willys features light gray tires. "I asked the designers,'Why gray tires?' [and] they answered, 'You wouldn't want to leavenasty black tire marks on the American landscape," said Creed,driving home the concepts' theme.

Other fanciful designs and ideas abounded Tuesday.

Ford Motor Co. showed off two concept trucks — one made withfishermen in mind, the other for serious off-roaders.

The Ford Explorer Sportsman includes room for fish in a30-gallon tank, complete with clean-air filter, that locks behindthe rear seats. The running boards have storage space for fishingrods. The Ford EX is essentially a modern dune buggy, with exposedframe rails and an interior that can be hosed out. It's powered bya 375-horsepower V8.

Mazda Motor Corp. introduced the RX-8 four-door sports carpowered by a 250-horsepower Renesis engine. Mark Fields, presidentof Mazda's North American operations, said he expected the RX-8 toreach showrooms in about two years.