AUBURN HILLS, Michigan -- The Chrysler Group continues to dominate the domestic convertible market as the Chrysler Sebring Convertible retains its best-selling title in the U.S. market for the 2004 calendar year, according to automotive research company R.L. Polk & Co. It's the third consecutive year and the seventh time in the last nine years that the Sebring Convertible has earned the best-selling convertible honor.

"The Chrysler Sebring Convertible continues its run as the best-selling convertible in the United States for good reason," said Jeff Bell, Vice President-Chrysler. "Sebring Convertible's unprecedented combination of unmistakable road presence, athletic handling and spacious interior roominess keeps it at the forefront of the segment.".

According to R.L. Polk & Co., the Chrysler Group sold 37,147 Chrysler Sebring Convertibles in the United States during the 2004 calendar year. The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, new to the Chrysler brand lineup for the 2005 model year, ranked fifth in Polk's annual survey with 15,137 units sold. In addition to the Sebring Convertible and the PT Cruiser Convertible, Chrysler also offers the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster and the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster SRT6 -- all perfect picks for warm-weather spring driving..

The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible offers one-of-a-kind retro PT Cruiser styling, boasts a power convertible soft top, 10 inches more rear- legroom than its competitors, storage space large enough to fit two golf bags, two available turbo engine options and an exceptionally quiet ride..

The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster and Roadster Limited feature a standard six-speed manual, while an optional five-speed automatic with Auto Stick(R) also is available on the Limited model. Standard premium amenities include a power convertible fabric top, full power hard tonneau, heated glass back light, power windows, speed control, dual-zone temperature control, four- wheel anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all-speed traction control and Chrysler's seven-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty..

The new 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Roadster is a performance-infused version of the Chrysler brand's breathtaking icon. It features race-inspired benchmark performance, thanks to a hand-built 330-horsepower (246 kW) 3.2- liter supercharged engine, performance tuned ride-and-handling characteristics, world-class braking, functional performance-themed exterior design elements and interior appointments designed to delight the performance enthusiast..

"The Chrysler Group is America's convertible company," Bell added. "Chrysler is the only brand that can boast of convertibles that offer comfort and convenience, while still offering the premium amenities for which the convertible shopper is looking. We look to a very sunny future with our convertible portfolio. The sky's the limit on the Chrysler brand's command of the domestic convertible market.".

According to R.L. Polk and Co., more than 315,000 convertibles were registered in the United States in the 2004 calendar year. Convertible sales have held steady at 1.8 percent of the total market over the past three years. At 1.9 percent in 2004, convertibles are inching closer to 2 percent of the overall light vehicle market. The increase in the convertible market of 6.3 percent in 2004 was significantly above the increase in light vehicle market registrations of 1.4 percent..

Over the last decade, Chrysler brand sales have spiked a remarkable 155 percent, from 230,998 units in 1994 to 588,891 units in 2004. No other American automotive brand has grown by that amount during the same full 10- year period..

The 2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible is manufactured at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich..

The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible is manufactured at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico..

The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster and the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster SRT-6 are manufactured in Osnabruck, Germany, in conjunction with Karmann, a long-time DaimlerChrysler partner..