Chrysler Group Named One of Nation’s Top Corporations for Supplier Diversity

* Company cited for outstanding supplier diversity
* Over $31 billion spent with minority suppliers

Las Vegas, Mar 30, 2006 – Chrysler Group was honored today by DiversityBusiness.com as a Top 50 Corporation for Multicultural Business Opportunities of 2006 at the Sixth Annual DiversityBusiness.com Multicultural Awards Ceremony and Conference in Las Vegas.

The award, also called the Div50, is a recognition of the Top 50 Diversity Corporations in the United States. The award is based upon such factors as the volume, consistency and quality of business opportunities a company grants to women and minority-owned suppliers. Div50 is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation’s leading multicultural business-to-business online portal for diversity businesses and large organizational buyers, and the largest member organization of diversity businesses in the United States.

“The Company appreciates recognition by the business enterprises in this growing economic sector,” said Peter Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President — Procurement and Supply, Chrysler Group. “DaimlerChrysler is proud to hold a leadership position in the multicultural business community.”

In the last seven years, the company has more than doubled dollars spent with minority suppliers, from $1.7 billion in 1998 to $3.8 billion in 2005. This significant increase demonstrates Chrysler Group’s long-term commitment to the economic development and growth of its minority suppliers, in addition to distinguishing Chrysler Group as an industry leader in supplier development.

Since 1983, Chrysler Group has purchased more than $31 billion from minority-owned companies and has developed a number of programs to build its minority supplier base. Those include a new supplier diversity Web site (http://supplierdiversity.daimlerchrysler.com), Chrysler Group’s Matchmaker program and the Minority Enterprise Initiative (MEI).

Chrysler Group’s supplier diversity initiatives have been formally recognized by numerous organizations and have received 57 honors since 1998.

DaimlerChrysler is the Only Manufacturer Building Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

* DaimlerChrysler investigates plug-in technology with test fleet
* Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 miles on electric only power
* Industry first PHEV combined with five cylinder diesel for maximum fuel efficiency
* Advanced battery research will help future hybrid development

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 30, 2006 –

Up to 40 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in operation with customers in California, Kansas City and New York among other locations within the United States. As part of a test fleet program DaimlerChrysler is placing the Dodge Sprinter PHEV with a variety of customers around the world. The company is the only auto manufacturer to investigate the feasibility of plug-in hybrid technology in real world tests.

Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications in which the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid but also works well in urban traffic situations for daily commuters.

Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid transportation and PHEV’s yield valuable information through durability tests.

Based on Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle technology, The Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being mated to the PHEV system, a five cylinder diesel and a V6 gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.

Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.

The 2006 Jeep® Commander Earns Top Government Safety Rating From NHTSA

Jeep® Commander Is the 11th Vehicle in the All-new Chrysler Group Lineup to Receive Five Stars for Frontal Crash Protection

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 30, 2006 –

The 2006 Jeep® Commander has received the government’s highest rating for frontal-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Jeep Commander’s five-star rating for frontal crash protection makes it the 11th new product from Chrysler Group to achieve the top safety rating in the governmental frontal crash tests.

“Chrysler Group is offering Jeep Commander customers peace of mind through more standard safety and security equipment and the application of a broad range of engineering technologies,” said Craig Love, Vice President – Rear-wheel Drive Product Teams, Chrysler Group. “The inherent stability and security we design in to all Chrysler Group vehicles is enhanced by both passive and active safety systems, whether driving on- or off-road.”

The new 2006 Jeep Commander includes the highest level of standard safety and security technology and features ever offered on a Chrysler Group vehicle. Introduced for the first time on the Jeep Commander, standard side-curtain air bags with a roll detection system deploys air bags in certain rollover and side-impact situations. In addition, Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Brakes, and 4-Wheel Brake Traction Control System are also standard on Jeep Commander. These are only some of the many safety and security features — designed in from the beginning — that provide the Jeep Commander with the ability to “go anywhere, do anything” safely and securely.

Starting with the Chrysler Pacifica in 2003, Chrysler Group has had 11 product launches that produced NHTSA-rated five-star vehicles for frontal crash protection. These vehicles include: Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler and Dodge minivans, Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Quad, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Dakota, Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger and Jeep Commander.

The 2006 Jeep Commander is built at Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, Mich., on the same production line as the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Global Electric Motorcars Partners With Matra Manufacturing and Services to Offer GEM Electric Vehicles in France

Four models available: two-passenger, four-passenger, utility vehicles

Best-selling electric vehicle in the U.S. fits niche for short-trip, zero emission travel

More than 30,000 in use worldwide

 

Paris,

Mar 27, 2006
 - 

Global
Electric Motorcars, LLC, (GEM) a DaimlerChrysler company headquartered
in Fargo, North Dakota, will partner with Matra Manufacturing and
Services to market all-electric GEM vehicles in France.

The
GEM line of vehicles will be a major part of Matra MS’s involvement in
the Light Electric Vehicle market in France. The extensive range
of GEM light electric vehicles will be modified to meet European Union
regulations for light and heavy quadricycles and will be available in
two-passenger, four-passenger, and utility versions.

Matra MS
will operate as the exclusive distributor of GEM vehicles in the French
market. The GEM vehicles will bring an immediate solution to the
European customer looking for alternative transportation for short
distances and to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

“We
are pleased to announce this new relationship with Mantra,” said Rick
Kasper, President of Global Electric Motorcars. ”GEM electric
vehicles have proven themselves with American consumers, and we look
forward to providing the benefits of these clean, fun-to-drive vehicles
to a new group of consumers in France.”

The partnership
between GEM and Mantra also includes the establishment in Romorantin,
France, of a European Manufacturing and Services platform for GEM
vehicles, to establish the highest quality and service for its European
dealers and customers.

ClubMom and Chrysler Group Expand Partnership to Include Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge Brands

Chrysler and Jeep® Join Dodge in the ClubMom Rewards Program

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 27, 2006 –

ClubMom.com, the Web site where millions of moms go for real-mom information, mom-to-mom connections, and rewards, and Chrysler Group announced today an expansion of their existing partnership to include the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands. Chrysler and Jeep®, including the Chrysler Town & Country and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, have joined Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan, and Durango as vehicles eligible for ClubMom points when purchased or leased by ClubMom members. As of Jan. 1, 2006, ClubMom members will earn 10,000 points when they purchase or lease a new, eligible Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep brand vehicle from an authorized U.S. dealer.

Due to the success of the partnership between ClubMom and the Dodge brand over the last two years, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles have been added to the innovative marketing channel ClubMom has to offer. Already 2.5 million members strong, ClubMom enables marketers like Chrysler Group to reach the most important purchasing decision makers in America’s households — moms — who control 80 percent of all U.S. personal and household spending.

New 2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase Will Have Extended Run at the New York International Auto Show, April 14-23

* New Chrysler 300 is six inches longer than current models, providing an additional 10.2 cubic feet of interior space
* Engine options include the 3.5-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI®

Auburn Hills,, Mar 27, 2006 –

It will soon take just a bit longer than usual to linger over the Chrysler 300.

Chrysler Group announced today that a new model — the 2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase — will be on display at the New York International Auto Show, in the Jacob K. Javits Center, April 14-23 in New York City. The Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase is six inches longer than the current models, providing more than 46 inches of rear legroom and an additional 10.2 cubic feet of interior space. Available this fall, the lengthier Chrysler 300 is expected to attract sales from the livery/limousine industry, as well as retail customers.

“The 300 Long Wheelbase will have six inches more of the elegant, distinct design that made the Chrysler 300 the most-awarded new car in automotive history,” said David Rooney, Director —Chrysler Marketing Communications. “In addition, limousine-like features have been added and custom options are available. The result is a truly distinctive and personalized experience for commercial and retail customers, all for what will be an affordable price.”

Both the 300 Touring and 300C Long Wheelbase models can be ordered with unique, personalized features, including lighted rear writing tables, two 12-volt power ports for computers/cell phones, footrests, lighted vanity mirrors and directional reading lights for rear passengers, and available custom paint colors or pinstriping.

The Chrysler 300 Touring Long Wheelbase model will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, providing 250 hp, more than some domestic V-8 competitors. The 300C Long Wheelbase will have the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI® engine, generating 340 hp, and the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which seamlessly reduces the number of cylinders from eight to four when less power is required, improving fuel economy.

The 300 Long Wheelbase will be modified by Accubuilt, a leading custom specialty vehicle manufacturer with more than 128 years of experience, based in Lima, Ohio, and will be sold through Chrysler dealerships.

Pricing and production information will be provided closer to launch this fall.

PimpStar – Wild Technology

Check out their Site at CUSTOMEWHEEL.COM

Chrysler Group Recognizes Three Dealers as Dealer of the Year

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 24, 2006 –

In the highly competitive environment of automobile sales, dealerships are continually challenged to run a successful operation by selling more cars, performing vehicle service and creating an enjoyable customer experience — while trying to earn a respectable profit.

At its inaugural Dealer of the Year event, the Chrysler Group announced three dealers as its first national Dealers of the Year:

Golling Chrysler, Jeep® Dodge (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was recognized as national Dealer of the Year in the largest category of dealers who sell the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands at their location. Bill Golling, III is the dealer principal, and second-generation dealer who began working in the car business at 15 years old. In 2005, he opened a brand-new, 83,000 square foot dealership facility. Golling Chrysler, Jeep Dodge was the Chrysler Group’s third largest dealer as measured by sales in 2005.

Dodge Set for Marketing Launch of All-new 2007 Caliber

Caliber Campaign Is “Anything But Cute”

* Starting at $13,985, Caliber offers new slant on global compact car market
* Currently arriving in U.S. showrooms, will arrive in international markets starting in the second quarter
* Continues Dodge barrage of nine new vehicles in 2005 and 2006
* Cutting-edge campaign starts next week, communicates on customers’ terms utilizing target technology

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 24, 2006 –

The Dodge barrage continues.

This Sunday, Dodge, the Chrysler Group’s best-selling brand, will begin marketing efforts to communicate the global launch of its all-new 2007 Caliber. The Dodge Caliber is one of nine new vehicles launched by the brand in 2005 and 2006.

“With bold styling, five-door functionality, space-efficient packaging and clever innovations, the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber is designed to appeal to global consumers looking for value in a vehicle that stands out from the crowd,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Starting at $13,985, Dodge Caliber is not your typical small car, and our target market is not your typical consumer.

DaimlerChrysler Partners With Ohio Soybean Growers, Biodiesel Refiner to Promote Use of Clean, Renewable Fuel in Jeep® Liberty CRD Diesel SUV

* Liberty Diesel sales near the 10,000 mark
* Nation’s first mid-size diesel SUV combines power, performance, fuel economy
* Every Jeep® Liberty CRD diesel fueled with biodiesel to encourage use of clean, renewable alternative fuel

Cincinnati, Ohio, Mar 22, 2006 –

DaimlerChrysler joined today with Ohio Governor Bob Taft, the state’s soybean growers and the refiner, Peter Cremer North America, to promote the use of clean, renewable, Ohio-made biodiesel fuel.

The Jeep® Liberty CRD, the nation’s first diesel-powered mid-sized sport-utility vehicle, is fueled with B5 (5 percent biodiesel) fuel at DaimlerChrysler’s assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio. The biodiesel fuel is made from Ohio soybeans, refined at the Peter Cremer facility in Cincinnati.

Sales of the Jeep Liberty CRD diesel are about to surpass the 10,000 mark, double the number expected when Chrysler Group launched the Jeep Liberty CRD diesel in early 2005.

The Jeep Liberty CRD diesel is part of DaimlerChrysler’s program to re-introduce American consumers to the benefits of modern, clean diesel passenger vehicles. With its four-cylinder, 2.8-liter, common-rail diesel engine, Jeep Liberty CRD provides the torque of a V-8, the acceleration of a V-6 and the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine.