The case involves a woman who credits the air bag in her 1989 Chrysler LeBaron with saving her and her unborn child from serious injury -- and possibly even death -- but who experienced a minor hand burn when the air bag deployed during a 1992 accident.

"Ten years ago, we would have received a thank you note from a customer for the air bag having saved her life. Today, we get slapped with a multi-million dollar verdict. That is the nature of our out-of-control legal system," said DaimlerChrysler attorney Karl Lukens. "Holding DaimlerChrysler liable in this case is like holding the manufacturer of a bullet proof vest responsible because their product saved someone's life, but resulted in a few bruised ribs. This is a case about trial lawyer greed, not about a defective product."

Crawley v. Chrysler is a class action suit brought on behalf of approximately 75,000 Pennsylvania residents who own Chrysler vehicles (model years last quarter of 1988, 1989 and 1990) with driver air bags that have vents at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. These vents allow for the rapid deflation of the airbag following deployment -- a critical feature in any air bag system.

Expecting to represent nearly 30 percent of all cars sold in the United States by the year 2000, one could say the small car market is anything but small. The all-new 2000 Dodge and Plymouth Neon become the benchmark in the segment by providing consumers a small car that feels, looks and handles bigger than its size, while offering sports car-like ride and handling.

A superb package of refinement and substance in both ride and appearance, the new Neon once again sets the standard for a market that yearns for large car features combined with value and fun-to-drive features.